In vitro PET evaluations in lung cancer cell lines

One purpose of the study was to explore the PET tracer C-11-L-DOPA for the discrimination between small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non small-cell lun g cancer (NSCLC). A further aim was to explore the potential antitumoral ef fects of 6-diazo-5-oxy-L-norleucine (DON) and the use of a PET proliferatio n marker for the evaluation. Materials and Methods: Four lung cancer and on e endocrine tumour cell line (BON) were cultured as monolayer. The uptake o f 5-[Br-76]-bromo-2-fluoro-deoxyuridine (Br-76-BFU), [C-11]-L-DOPA and [F-1 8]-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)FDG) were evaluated. The effects of specific enz yme inhibitors affecting the DOPA metabolism were explored. The effect of D ON on pl oliferation and uptake of Br-76-BFU were assessed Results: All cel l types showed a measurable uptake of C-11-DOPA, with slightly lower values in lung cancel: There were no clear differences between SCLC and NSCLC. Th e addition of COMT inhibitor induced a significantly increased uptake of th e tracer in BON cells, but not in lung cancer cells. DON significantly redu ced the proliferation in all cell lines. The Br-76-BFU uptake was reduced m arkedly in all cell lines. during DON treatment. Conclusion: C-11-DOPA fail ed to distinguish between SCLC and NSCLC. DON showed strong antiproliferati ve effects which might motivate renewed intel est in this drug for clinical cancel treatment. PET with Br-76-BFU might be used for treatment evaluatio n.