Fluorothymidine

Fluorothymidine, also known as FLT, is a radiopharmaceutical used in PET imaging. It is a nucleoside analogue, which means it is structurally similar to naturally occurring nucleosides, the building blocks of DNA and RNA.

Chemistry

Fluorothymidine is a thymidine analogue, meaning it is structurally similar to the DNA nucleoside thymidine. The key difference is that fluorothymidine has a fluorine atom in place of a hydrogen atom at the 3' position on the sugar ring. This fluorine atom is radioactive, allowing the molecule to be detected by PET imaging.

Medical Use

Fluorothymidine is used in PET imaging to assess cell proliferation, which is often increased in cancer cells. By tracking the uptake of FLT, doctors can visualize areas of high cell proliferation, helping to identify tumors and monitor their response to treatment.

Mechanism of Action

FLT is taken up by cells and phosphorylated by the enzyme thymidine kinase to form FLT-monophosphate. This molecule is trapped within the cell, allowing it to be detected by PET imaging. The level of FLT uptake is proportional to the level of thymidine kinase activity, which is often increased in cancer cells.

Side Effects

As with all radiopharmaceuticals, there is a risk of radiation exposure with FLT. However, the dose of radiation is typically low and is considered acceptable given the benefits of the imaging procedure. Other side effects are rare but can include allergic reactions.

See Also

• Thymidine
• Radiopharmaceutical
• Positron Emission Tomography

Fluorothymidine Resources
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