Do androgens control the uptake of 18F-FDG, 11C-choline and 11C-acetate in human prostate cancer cell lines?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of androgen ablation therapy in different prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines-reflecting different stages of the disease-on18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG),11C-choline and11C-acetate uptake. Methods: Uptake experiments were performed in androgen-sensitive (LNCaP, PC346C) and independent cell lines (22Rv1, PC346DCC, PC-3) as well as in a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH-1) cell line. Tracer uptake was assessed under androgen ablation. Results of the cancer cell lines were normalized to those of BPH-1. To evaluate the effect of androgen on the uptake of18F-FDG,11C-choline and11C-acetate in PCa cell lines, 10-8M R1881, 10-10M R1881, the combination of 10-10M R1881 plus 10-6M Casodex or 10-6M Casodex alone were added in parallel cell cultures 1 day before uptake experiments. Uptake in androgen-supplemented cell cultures was compared to the uptake under androgen deprivation. Uptake was corrected for cell number using protein content. Results: Compared to BPH-1, a higher18F-FDG uptake was observed only in PC346C cells, whereas a higher11C-choline and markedly increased11C-acetate uptake was seen in all cancer cell lines. Androgens significantly modulated the uptake of18F-FDG in LNCaP, PC346C and 22Rv1 cells, and of11C-choline in the PC346C and 22Rv1 cell line. No androgenic effect on11C-choline and18F-FDG uptake was observed in PC-3 and PC346DCC cells.11C-Acetate uptake was independent of androgen status in all PCa cell lines studied. Conclusion:18F-FDG uptake in PCa cell lines showed the highest variability and strongest androgen effect, suggesting its poor potential for metabolic imaging of advanced PCa. In contrast to18F-FDG and11C-choline,11C-acetate uptake was unaffected by androgens and thus11C-acetate seems best for monitoring PCa progression.

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