3'-Deoxy-3'-[18F] Fluorothymidine PET Imaging in Patients With Cancer

Use of [F-18] FLT for Imaging With Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

RATIONALE: Diagnostic procedures, such as 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F] fluorothymidine (FLT) PET imaging, may help find and diagnose cancer. It may also help doctors predict a patient's response to treatment and help plan the best treatment.

PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying FLT PET imaging in patients with cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• Evaluate the use of 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F] fluorothymidine (FLT) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to measure tumor proliferation and the DNA synthetic pathway (thymidine kinase levels) in patients with cancer.

Secondary

• Determine the efficacy of FLT PET imaging in detecting lesions and estimating response to treatment.

OUTLINE: Patients undergo up to four 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F] fluorothymidine positron emission tomography imaging procedures.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Meets one of the following criteria:

  • Histologically confirmed solid tumor or hematologic malignancy
  • Awaiting biopsy or surgery for cancer evaluation of a mass detected on exam or standard imaging

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Able to lie still in the PET scanner
• Girth and weight must be suitable to enter the gantry
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Not specified