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Abstract

Molecular imaging with the PET tracer 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT) allows assessment of the proliferative state of organs in vivo Although used primarily in the oncology clinic, it can also shed light on the proliferation of other tissues, as demonstrated here for monitoring hematopoietic organs that recover after myelosuppressive chemotherapy. In the NMRI nude mouse model, we observed up to a 4.5-fold increase in [18F]FLT uptake in bone marrow and spleen on days 2, 3, and 5 after treatment with gemcitabine, a chemotherapeutic agent that is powerfully myelosuppressive in the model. Specifically, we observed (i) a reduced spleen weight; (ii) reduced bone marrow cell counts and proliferation (BrdUrd flow cytometry, spleen IHC; 6 hours/day 1); and (iii) reduced leukocytes in peripheral blood (day 5). In conclusion, our results show how [18F]FLT PET can provide a powerful tool to noninvasively visualize the proliferative status of hematopoietic organs after myelosuppressive therapy.​ 

Author information

Schelhaas S1, Held A1, Bäumer N2, Viel T1, Hermann S1, Müller-Tidow C2,3, Jacobs AH4,5. 

1European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster, Münster, Germany.

2Department of Medicine A, Molecular Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany.

3Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University of Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany.

4European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster, Münster, Germany. ahjacobs@uni-muenster.de.

5Department of Geriatric Medicine, Johanniter Hospital, Bonn, Germany.