Absolute Quantification of [11C]docetaxel Kinetics in Lung Cancer Patients Using Positron Emission Tomography

• Purpose:Tumor resistance to docetaxel may be associated with reduced drug concentrations in tumor tissue. Positron emission tomography (PET) allows for quantification of radiolabeled docetaxel ([11C]docetaxel) kinetics and might be useful for predicting response to therapy. The primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility of quantitative [11C]docetaxel PET scans in lung cancer patients. The secondary objective was to investigate whether [11C]docetaxel kinetics were associated with tumor perfusion, tumor size, and dexamethasone administration.Experimental Design:Thirty-four lung cancer patients underwent dynamic PET–computed tomography (CT) scans using [11C]docetaxel. Blood flow was measured using oxygen-15 labeled water. The first 24 patients were premedicated with dexamethasone. For quantification of [11C]docetaxel kinetics, the optimal tracer kinetic model was developed and a noninvasive procedure was validated.Results:Reproducible quantification of [11C]docetaxel kinetics in tumors was possible using a noninvasive approach (image derived input function). Thirty-two lesions (size ≥4 cm3) were identified, having a variable net influx rate of [11C]docetaxel (range, 0.0023–0.0229 mL·cm−3·min−1). [11C]docetaxel uptake was highly related to tumor perfusion (Spearman's ρ = 0.815;P < 0.001), but not to tumor size (Spearman's ρ = −0.140; P = 0.446). Patients pretreated with dexamethasone showed lower [11C]docetaxel uptake in tumors (P = 0.013). Finally, in a subgroup of patients who subsequently received docetaxel therapy, relative high [11C]docetaxel uptake was related with improved tumor response.Conclusions:Quantification of [11C]docetaxel kinetics in lung cancer was feasible in a clinical setting. Variable [11C]docetaxel kinetics in tumors may reflect differential sensitivity to docetaxel therapy. Our findings warrant further studies investigating the predictive value of [11C]docetaxel uptake and the effects of comedication on [11C]docetaxel kinetics in tumors.

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MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Radiologi och bildbehandling (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (hsv//eng)

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