IMAGING PROLIFERATION IN-VIVO WITH [F-18] FLT AND POSITRON-EMISSION-TOMOGRAPHY

Positron emission tomography (PET) is now regularly used in the diagno sis and staging of cancer. These uses and its ability to monitor treat ment response would be aided by the development of imaging agents that can be used to measure tissue and tumor proliferation. We have develo ped and tested [F-18]FLT (3'-deoxy-3'-fluorothymidine); it is resistan t to degradation, is retained in proliferating tissues by the action o f thymidine kinase 1 (TK), and produces high-contrast images of normal marrow and tumors in canine and human subjects.