GLUCOSE AND METHIONINE UPTAKE BY RAT-BRAIN TUMOR TREATED WITH PRODRUG-ACTIVATED GENE-THERAPY

The effect of aciclovir (ACV) on the metabolism of rat 9L-gliosarcoma cells expressing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene was st udied using 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) and L-[methyl-C-11] methionine. Though the average weight of the tumors treated with ACV w as significantly lower than that of the saline-injected control group, FDG and methionine uptake per weight of tumor tissue was not differen t between the two groups. This result exhibits a striking contrast to the metabolic pattern observed after radiation therapy, suggesting the different pathways regarding tumor cell death between the therapies. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.