TY - JOUR T1 - Preferential Accumulation of <sup>3</sup>H-Tetraphenylphosphonium in Non–Small Cell Lung Carcinoma in Mice: Comparison with <sup>99m</sup>Tc-MIBI JF - Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO - J Nucl Med SP - 234 LP - 238 VL - 43 IS - 2 AU - Igal Madar AU - Lola Weiss AU - Gabriel Izbicki Y1 - 2002/02/01 UR - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/43/2/234.abstract N2 - We have previously shown enhanced accumulation of the delocalized lipophilic cation 11C-triphenylmethylphosphonium in canine brain glioma, suggesting its potential use for tumor staging in humans using PET. Here, we extend our studies of phosphonium cations to nonbrain tumors and characterize the biodistribution and tumor specificity of 3H-tetraphenylphosphonium (3H-TPP) in non–small cell lung carcinoma in mice. Methods: 3H-TPP accumulation in isolated malignant lung nodules of the Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cell line, in LLC-bearing lung, and in control lung was measured at various intervals after inoculation. Tumor uptake and biodistribution of 3H-TPP were compared with those of 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI). Results: 3H-TPP accumulation in LLC nodules at 14 d was significantly greater than that in controls, peaked at 21 d, and declined to lower values at 28 d after injection. At 21 d after injection, 3H-TPP uptake in LLC nodules was greater than that in control lung tissue and in LLC-bearing lung tissue—by 549% and 230%, respectively—whereas 99mTc-MIBI nodule uptake was greater by 90% and 30%, respectively. Conclusion: The high tumor accumulation and sensitivity to the phase of tumor development suggest the potential use of radiolabeled phosphonium analogs for in vivo tumor staging and as a tool for investigating tumor evolution. ER -