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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

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Open Access 01-10-2011 | Original Article

Total ¹⁸F-dopa PET tumour uptake reflects metabolic endocrine tumour activity in patients with a carcinoid tumour

Authors: Helle-Brit Fiebrich, Johan R. de Jong, Ido P. Kema, Klaas Pieter Koopmans, Wim Sluiter, Rudi A.J.O. Dierckx, Annemiek M. Walenkamp, Thera P. Links, Adrienne H. Brouwers, Elisabeth G.E. de Vries

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 10/2011

Abstract

Purpose

Positron emission tomography (PET) using 6-[¹⁸F]fluoro-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (¹⁸F-dopa) has an excellent sensitivity to detect carcinoid tumour lesions. ¹⁸F-dopa tumour uptake and the levels of biochemical tumour markers are mediated by tumour endocrine metabolic activity. We evaluated whether total ¹⁸F-dopa tumour uptake on PET, defined as whole-body metabolic tumour burden (WBMTB), reflects tumour load per patient, as measured with tumour markers.

Methods

Seventy-seven consecutive carcinoid patients who underwent an ¹⁸F-dopa PET scan in two previously published studies were analysed. For all tumour lesions mean standardised uptake values (SUVs) at 40% of the maximal SUV and tumour volume on ¹⁸F-dopa PET were determined and multiplied to calculate a metabolic burden per lesion. WBMTB was the sum of the metabolic burden of all individual lesions per patient. The 24-h urinary serotonin, urine and plasma 5-hydroxindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), catecholamines (nor)epinephrine, dopamine and their metabolites, measured in urine and plasma, and serum chromogranin A served as tumour markers.

Results

All but 1 were evaluable for WBMTB; 74 patients had metastatic disease. ¹⁸F-dopa PET detected 979 lesions. SUV_max on ¹⁸F-dopa PET varied up to 29-fold between individual lesions within the same patients. WBMTB correlated with urinary serotonin (r = 0.51) and urinary and plasma 5-HIAA (r = 0.78 and 0.66). WBMTB also correlated with urinary norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine and plasma dopamine, but not with serum chromogranin A.

Conclusion

Tumour load per patient measured with ¹⁸F-dopa PET correlates with tumour markers of the serotonin and catecholamine pathway in urine and plasma in carcinoid patients, reflecting metabolic tumour activity.

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Title: Total 18F-dopa PET tumour uptake reflects metabolic endocrine tumour activity in patients with a carcinoid tumour
Authors: Helle-Brit Fiebrich
Johan R. de Jong
Ido P. Kema
Klaas Pieter Koopmans
Wim Sluiter
Rudi A.J.O. Dierckx
Annemiek M. Walenkamp
Thera P. Links
Adrienne H. Brouwers
Elisabeth G.E. de Vries
Publication date: 01-10-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 10/2011
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-011-1862-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Total ¹⁸F-dopa PET tumour uptake reflects metabolic endocrine tumour activity in patients with a carcinoid tumour

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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