Cancer Imaging With Fluorine-18–Labeled Choline Derivatives

• Published in: Seminars in nuclear medicine 2007-11, Vol.37 (6), p.420-428
• Main Authors: Kwee, Sandi A., MD, DeGrado, Timothy R., PhD, Talbot, Jean Noel, MD, Gutman, Fabrice, MD, Coel, Marc N., MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brain Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Brain Neoplasms - metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - metabolism; Choline - analogs & derivatives; Choline - pharmacokinetics; Esophageal Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Esophageal Neoplasms - metabolism; Female; Fluorine Radioisotopes; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Liver Neoplasms - metabolism; Male; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Neoplasms - metabolism; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prostatic Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Prostatic Neoplasms - metabolism; Radiology; Radiopharmaceuticals - pharmacokinetics
• ISSN: 0001-2998; 1558-4623
• DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2007.07.003

The choline transporter and choline kinase enzyme frequently are overexpressed in malignancy. Therefore, positron-emitter-labeled compounds derived from choline have the potential to serve as oncologic probes for positron emission tomography. The fluorine-18 (18 F)–labeled choline derivative fluorocholine (FCH) in particular has demonstrated potential utility for imaging of a variety of neoplasms, including those of the breast, prostate, liver, and brain. The pharmacokinetics of FCH and other choline tracers allow for whole-body imaging within minutes of injection while still achieving high tumor-to-background contrast in most organs, including the brain. These features, along with the possibility of imaging malignancies that have proved elusive with the use of18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography support further clinical investigations of18 F-labeled choline tracers.