Imaging technique proves useful for ovarian cancer

A molecular imaging technique may prove useful in early assessment of treatment response for cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Cisplatin is often effective against ovarian cancer when first given, but tumors can become resistant and start growing again.

The study showed F-18 fluorothymidine (F-FLT) PET was able to predict early response to everolimus (a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor) in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer in mice. The technique should be considered for therapeutic assessment in humans, according to the researchers.

No significant change in tumor F-FLT uptake was observed in the controls. In the everolimus-treated mice, F-FLT standard uptake value decreased by 33% on the second day of treatment and by 66% on the seventh day. There were also changes in tumor volume.