18F-FLT PET/CT in Measuring Cell Proliferation in Patients With Brain Tumors

Cellular Proliferation Imaging Using [18F] Fluorothymidine (FLT) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Brain Tumors

This pilot clinical trial studies fluorine F 18 fluorothymidine (FLT) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in measuring cell proliferation in patients with brain tumors. Comparing results of diagnostic procedures done before, during, and after treatment may help doctors measure tumor growth and plan the best treatment.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. Using FLT PET/CT as a measure of cellular proliferation, assess tissue proliferation in disease sites of brain tumor patients before therapy (surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy or any combination of these). II. Determine level of change in cellular proliferation compared with baseline (scan 1) in brain tumors at mid-therapy (scan 2), after completion of therapy (scan 3) and in the clinical follow-up period (scan 4), when possible. III. Correlate levels of cellular proliferation measured by FLT PET/CT at baseline and treatment-induced changes in brain tumor proliferation with clinical response status (clinical categories are complete remission, lesser degrees of response/stable disease, and no response). SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. Assess spatial heterogeneity of FLT uptake to identify local differences in brain tumor disease burden. OUTLINE: Patients undergo 18F-FLT PET/CT at baseline (pre-therapy), mid-therapy, completion of therapy, and 1 year after completion of therapy or time of suspected recurrence. After completion of study, patients are followed for up to 7 years.

Patients undergo 18F-FLT PET/CT at baseline (pre-therapy), mid-therapy, completion of therapy, and 1 year after completion of therapy or time of suspected recurrence.

Medical Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography, PET, PET SCAN, Positron Emission Tomography Scan, Positron-Emission Tomography, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging

The percentage change in the kinetic model parameter of FLT flux (Ki) was recorded. Ki is estimated from parameters derived by fitting the FLT input function and the total blood activity curve to the tissue time-activity curve data.

The percentage change in the kinetic model parameter of FLT transport (K1) was recorded. K1 is defined as the transfer of FLT from blood into tissue (tumor).

The percentage change in the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) was recorded. SUVmax is defined as the amount of FLT uptake in a lesion.

Inclusion Criteria: Have a diagnosis or suspected diagnoses of brain tumor (primary, recurrent, or metastatic) by standard clinical diagnosis such as pathology or imaging Planned for treatment with radiation, chemotherapy and surgical resection or any of these treatment strategies combined Exclusion Criteria: Inability to provide informed consent Pregnancy Inability to lie still for the imaging study Weight over 350 lbs.