[Changes in the (11C-methyl)-L-methionine uptake index in gliomas following radiotherapy]

We have studied changes in the (11C-methyl)-L-methionine (C-11 Met) uptake index in six glioma cases subsequent to radiotherapy, using positron emission tomography (PET) to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy on the amino acid metabolism of the tumor. The uptake index of the tumor represented as a percentage of the total count in the atrial blood recorded during a period of 45 min, showed an average of 0.037% and 0.039% prior to and within two months after the therapy, respectively. Out of three cases where a fall in the index was seen, two cases showed tumor regression in the size of the contrast enhanced lesion measured by CT; all three cases had a relatively long period of clinical and neurological amelioration. However, following a short period of clinical improvement, the other three patients with a rise in the index showed no change or tumor progression on CT. These findings indicate that changes in the C-11 Met uptake index can be a sensitive and precise indicator for evaluating the effect of radiotherapy on gliomas.