NCIt synonyms : 18F-Fluoromethylcholine; Fluorocholine F-18; 18F-FMCH; F-18-FCH; 18F-Fluorocholine; [18F]-Choline; Fluorine F 18 Fluoromethylcholine; Fluorine F 18 Choline; F-18 Choline;
NCIt related terms : FLUOROCHOLINE F-18;
NCIt definition : A radiotracer consisting of methylcholine labeled with the positron-emitting radioisotope
fluorine F 18 (18F-FMCH) with potential imaging use. Upon administration, 18F-fluoromethylcholine
incorporates into tumor cells through an active, carrier-mediated transport mechanism
for choline and then is phosphorylated intracellularly by choline kinase, an enzyme
frequently upregulated in human tumors, yielding phosphoryl 18F-fluoromethylcholine.
In turn, phosphoryl 18F-fluoromethylcholine is integrated into phospholipids in the
cell membrane as part of phosphatidylcholine. As the proliferation of cancer cells
is much higher than normal cells, tumor cells exhibit an increased rate of 18F-FMCH
uptake and incorporation, allowing tumor imaging with positron emission tomography
(PET).;