The Cancer Imaging Program of the National Cancer Institute is teaming up with GE Medical Systems for a multi-site research effort. The effort will involve clinical trials of 18F-Fluorothymidine (FLT) as an imaging agent for positron emission tomography (PET). One of the sites is the UW Medical Center, with Kenneth Krohn, professor of radiology, heading the trial here.

FLT shows promise for studying cellular growth in human cancers. It is a diagnostic agent that indicates how fast cells are multiplying. It mimics one of the nucleic acids and measures the rate of DNA synthesis.

Because the agent images cell growth, tumors can be looked at before and soon after treatment to determine whether a given therapy is working. This would allow doctors to choose the best treatment for a cancer patient.

The FLT imaging agent was first made and tested by UW scientists in the Imaging Research Laboratory in the Department of Radiology. It was developed about six years ago and is used in more elite research labs. Now, GE and the NCI are trying to push FLT into more widespread use.

The NCI will also sponsor clinical trials at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems/Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the NIH Clinical Center.

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