18F-FLT PET imaging of cellular proliferation in pancreatic cancer

Lamarca, Angela; Asselin, Marie Claude; Manoharan, Prakash; McNamara, Mairéad G.; Trigonis, Ioannis; Hubner, Richard; Saleem, Azeem; Valle, Juan W.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is known for its poor prognosis. Since the development of computerized tomography, magnetic resonance and endoscopic ultrasound, novel imaging techniques have struggled to get established in the management of patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma for several reasons. Thus, imaging assessment of pancreatic cancer remains a field with scope for further improvement. In contrast to cross-sectional anatomical imaging methods, molecular imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET) can provide information on tumour function. Particularly, tumour proliferation may be assessed by measurement of intracellular thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) activity level using thymidine analogues radiolabelled with a positron emitter for use with PET. This approach, has been widely explored with [18F]-fluoro-3'-deoxy-3'-l-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) PET. This manuscript reviews the rationale and physiology behind 18F-FLT PET imaging, with special focus on pancreatic cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies. Potential benefit and challenges of this imaging technique for diagnosis, staging and assessment of treatment response in abdominal malignancies are discussed.

Citation

Lamarca, A., Asselin, M. C., Manoharan, P., McNamara, M. G., Trigonis, I., Hubner, R., Saleem, A., & Valle, J. W. (2016). 18F-FLT PET imaging of cellular proliferation in pancreatic cancer. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 99, 158-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.12.014

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Dec 22, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Dec 29, 2015
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Deposit Date: Feb 10, 2021
• Journal: Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
• Print ISSN: 1040-8428
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 99
• Pages: 158-169
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.12.014
• Keywords: Cancer; 18F-FLT PET; Thymidine; Proliferation; Pancreatic cancer; Adenocarcinoma
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3630180