Validity of Simplified 3′-Deoxy-3′-[18F]Fluorothymidine Uptake Measures for Monitoring Response to Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

• Purpose:Positron emission tomography using 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT) has been suggested as a means for monitoring response to chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of simplified uptake measures for assessing response to chemotherapy using [18F]FLT in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).Procedures:Fifteen LABC patients underwent dynamic [18F]FLT scans both prior to and after the first cycle of chemotherapy with fluorouracil, epirubicin or doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. The net uptake rate constant of [18F]FLT, K i , determined by non-linear regression (NLR) of an irreversible two-tissue compartment model was used as the gold standard. In addition to Patlak graphical analysis, standardised uptake values (SUV) and tumour-to-whole blood ratio (TBR) were used for analysing [18F]FLT data. Correlations and relationships between simplified uptake measures and NLR before and after chemotherapy were assessed using regression analysis.Results: No significant differences in both pre- and post-chemotherapy relationships between any of the simplified uptake measures and NLR were found. However, changes in SUV between baseline and post-therapy scans showed a significant negative bias and slope less than one, while TBR did not.Conclusions:In LABC, TBR instead of SUV may be preferred for monitoring response to chemotherapy with [18F]FLT.

Nyckelord

PET

FLT

SUV

Modelling

Response monitoring

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