Abstract
The radiolabeled amino acid L-3.[I-123]-iodo-alpha-methyl-tyrosine (IMT) is a new tumor tracer that accumulates in many tumors and is suitable for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Using IMT SPECT, we studied 32 patients with a soft-tissue tumor suspected to be a soft-tissue sarcoma to determine whether: (a) tumors can be visualized; (b) benign and malignant lesions can be distinguished; and (c) IMT uptake is related to tumor grade and proliferation. Whole-body imaging was performed 15 min after administration of 300 MBq IMT, biopsy, or resection 1-2 weeks later, IMT uptake was quantified using a region-of-interest method resulting in tumor:background (T:B) ratios. These were compared with tumor grade, mitotic index, tumor cellularity, vascularity, and the Ki-67 proliferation index. Eleven patients had a benign tumor, and 21 patients had a soft-tissue sarcoma, Six benign tumors demonstrated minor IMT uptake, and five lipomas had no uptake. All malignant tumors had high uptake and were clearly visualized. T:B ratios in malignant tumors (3.83 +/- 1.16) were higher (P <0.001) than in benign tumors (152 +/- 0.60). Small (
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2252-2259 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Clinical Cancer Research |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 6 |
Publication status | Published - Jun-2000 |
Keywords
- ALPHA-METHYL TYROSINE
- AMINO-ACID-TRANSPORT
- IODINE-123-ALPHA-METHYL TYROSINE
- PROGNOSTIC FACTORS
- BRAIN-TUMORS
- PET
- SARCOMA
- CANCER
- SPECT
- FDG