3′-Deoxy-3′-[ 18 F]Fluorothymidine Uptake Is Related to Thymidine Phosphorylase Expression in Various Experimental Tumor Models

Purpose We recently reported that high thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression is accompanied by low tumor thymidine concentration and high 3′-deoxy-3′-[ 18 F]fluorothymidine ([ 18 F]FLT) uptake in four untreated lung cancer xenografts. Here, we investigated whether this relationship also holds true for a broader range of tumor models. Procedures Lysates from n = 15 different tumor models originating from n = 6 institutions were tested for TP and thymidylate synthase (TS) expression using western blots. Results were correlated to [ 18 F]FLT accumulation in the tumors as determined by positron emission tomography (PET) measurements in the different institutions and to previously published thymidine concentrations. Results Expression of TP correlated positively with [ 18 F]FLT SUV max ( ρ = 0.549, P < 0.05). Furthermore, tumors with high TP levels possessed lower levels of thymidine ( ρ = − 0.939, P < 0.001). Conclusions In a broad range of tumors, [ 18 F]FLT uptake as measured by PET is substantially influenced by TP expression and tumor thymidine concentrations. These data strengthen the role of TP as factor confounding [ 18 F]FLT uptake.