Positron emission tomography in patients with breast cancer using 18F-3′-deoxy-3′-fluoro-L-thymidine (18F-FLT) -: a pilot study

Background: This pilot study investigated the feasibility of F-18-3'-deoxy-3'-fluoro-L-thymidine (F-18-FLT) as a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for the visualisation of breast cancer. Methods: Patients with breast cancer underwent F-18-FLT-PET prior to surgery. The uptake of F-18-FLT was determined in the primary tumour and in the axilla. Results: Eight tumours were visualized by F-18-FLT-PET with a mean uptake value (SUVmean) of 1.7 and mean tumour-non-tumour ratio (TNT) of 5.0. In seven patients, axillary lymph-node metastases were found at pathological examinations, however, F-18-FLT-PET showed uptake in only two large (and clinically evident) lymph-node metastases. Conclusions: F-18-FLT shows uptake in most primary breast tumours and in large axillary lymph-node metastases. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.