REASSESSMENT OF FDG UPTAKE IN TUMOR-CELLS - HIGH FDG UPTAKE AS A REFLECTION OF OXYGEN-INDEPENDENT GLYCOLYSIS DOMINANT ENERGY-PRODUCTION

To determine appropriate use of 2-[F-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG ) in the diagnosis of malignant tumors, the mechanism of enhanced FDG uptake in tumor cells was reassessed using in vitro cultured cell line s and H-3-deoxyglucose (DG), in combination with possible parameters o f aerobic and anaerobic energy production. The high DG uptake in the t umor cells reflected the dependency of energy production on anaerobic glycolysis, and paradoxically on low levels of aerobic oxidative phosp horylation in mitochondria. We discuss here factors underlying anaerob ic glycolysis in tumor cells. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.