Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the 11-C-choline PET/CT imaging of lung cancer and the change of choline metabolism in the cells of lung cancer. Methods  11-C-choline PET/CT imaging was performed in 18 patients with a lung tumor confirmed by operation and pathology. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to investigate expressions of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and choline kinase (ChoK) genes in lung cancer specimens and normal lung tissues. Results  The uptake of 11-C-choline was increased in all the lesions. Expressions of ChAT mRNA and protein were enhanced in 9 of the 18 lung tumor specimens; and expressions of ChoK mRNA and protein were increased in 14 of 18 lung tumor specimens compared with those of normal lung tissues. 8 of 18 lung cancer specimens were obvious  increased in expressions of both ChoK and ChAT. The difference was not statistically significant between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma inSUV value. Conclusion  There is abnormally high uptake of 11-C-choline in a lung tumor, and the activities of both ChAT and ChoK are increased in cells of lung cancer.

Key words: Lung neoplasms; Choline O-acetyltransferase; Choline kinase; Tomography, emission-computed; Choline