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

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-on (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), (11)C-choline and (11)C-acetate uptake. 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 of (18)F-FDG, (11)C-choline and (11)C-acetate in PCa cell lines, 10(-8)M R1881, 10(-10)M R1881, the combination of 10(-10)M R1881 plus 10(-6)M Casodex or 10(-6)M 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. Compared to BPH-1, a higher (18)F-FDG uptake was observed only in PC346C cells, whereas a higher (11)C-choline and markedly increased (11)C-acetate uptake was seen in all cancer cell lines. Androgens significantly modulated the uptake of (18)F-FDG in LNCaP, PC346C and 22Rv1 cells, and of (11)C-choline in the PC346C and 22Rv1 cell line. No androgenic effect on (11)C-choline and (18)F-FDG uptake was observed in PC-3 and PC346DCC cells. (11)C-Acetate uptake was independent of androgen status in all PCa cell lines studied. (18)F-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 to (18)F-FDG and (11)C-choline, (11)C-acetate uptake was unaffected by androgens and thus (11)C-acetate seems best for monitoring PCa progression.