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18F-Fluorothymidine radiation dosimetry in human PET imaging studies
Hubert Vesselle1, John Grierson, Lanell M Peterson
1Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. vesselle@u.washington.edu
Summary
Radiation dosimetry for 3'-Deoxy-3'-(18)F-fluorothymidine (18)F-FLT PET imaging indicates organ dose estimates are comparable to other nuclear medicine tests. The potential radiation risks are within accepted safety limits for patients.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiochemistry
- Oncology
Background:
- 3'-Deoxy-3'-(18)F-fluorothymidine ((18)F-FLT) is a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent.
- (18)F-FLT shows promise for studying cellular proliferation in human cancers.
- It functions as a nucleoside analog, phosphorylated by thymidine kinase 1, but DNA incorporation is blocked.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the radiation dosimetry for the PET imaging agent (18)F-FLT.
- To determine organ-specific radiation-absorbed doses in patients undergoing (18)F-FLT PET imaging.
- To assess the safety profile regarding radiation exposure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 18 patients who received intravenous (18)F-FLT injections.
- Determined time-dependent radioactivity concentrations from blood samples and PET images.
- Calculated radiation-absorbed doses using MIRD Committee methods and ICRP Publication 60 tissue weighting factors.
Main Results:
- The effective dose equivalent (EDE) was 0.028 mSv/MBq (male) and 0.033 mSv/MBq (female).
- The bladder received the highest organ dose (0.179 mGy/MBq male, 0.174 mGy/MBq female).
- Other organs with significant doses included the liver, kidneys, and bone marrow.
Conclusions:
- Organ dose estimates for (18)F-FLT are comparable to those of commonly used nuclear medicine tests.
- The radiation risks associated with (18)F-FLT PET imaging are within accepted safety limits.
- (18)F-FLT is a safe PET imaging agent for assessing cellular proliferation.