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Multi-Tracer Studies of Brain Oxygen and Glucose Metabolism Using a Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scanner
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Multi-Tracer Studies of Brain Oxygen and Glucose Metabolism Using a Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scanner

Published on: June 7, 2024

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Positron emission tomography of sodium glucose cotransport activity in high grade astrocytomas

Vladimir Kepe1,2, Claudio Scafoglio1,3, Jie Liu1

  • 1Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, The Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.

Journal of Neuro-Oncology
|March 12, 2018
PubMed

Insights

New PET imaging using Me-4FDG effectively visualizes high-grade astrocytomas by targeting sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2). This offers superior sensitivity compared to standard 2-FDG PET for brain tumor detection.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) is implicated in glucose uptake by certain tumors.
  • Previous studies utilized SGLT-specific probes for imaging pancreatic and prostate tumors.
  • High-grade astrocytomas (WHO Grade III-IV) require improved diagnostic imaging modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the utility of Me-4FDG PET for visualizing high-grade astrocytomas.
  • To compare Me-4FDG PET imaging with 2-FDG PET and MRI in astrocytoma patients.
  • To investigate the expression and cellular localization of SGLT2 in astrocytomas.

Main Methods:

  • Me-4FDG PET scans were performed on four patients with WHO Grade III or IV astrocytomas and control subjects.
  • Comparative analysis with 2-FDG PET and contrast-enhanced MRI was conducted.
  • Immunocytochemistry was used to determine SGLT protein expression in Grade IV astrocytomas.

Main Results:

  • Me-4FDG PET demonstrated pronounced retention in astrocytomas with minimal uptake in normal brain tissue, yielding a high signal-to-noise ratio.
  • Macroscopic distribution of Me-4FDG overlapped with 2-FDG uptake and contrast-enhanced MRI tumor definition.
  • Microscopic analysis revealed SGLT2 protein expression in neoplastic glioblastoma cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells.

Conclusions:

  • Me-4FDG PET is a highly sensitive imaging probe for visualizing high-grade astrocytomas.
  • Me-4FDG PET offers superior imaging sensitivity over 2-FDG PET due to the absence of background brain uptake.
  • SGLT2 expression in astrocytomas suggests potential for novel targeted therapies using SGLT2 inhibitors.
Keywords:
AstrocytomasPET imagingSGLT2

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