The relationship between 67Ga accumulation and ATP metabolism in tumor cells in vitro

Previously, we reported that the deposition of ⁶⁷Ga into malignant tumors may be a sensitive index of proliferative activity in tumor cells. For the purpose of elucidation of this hypothesis, we investigated the relationship between the accumulation of ⁶⁷Ga into malignant tumor cells and the intra cellular ATP metabolism in vitro.The uptake of ⁶⁷Ga into tumor cells was inhibited by adding NaF which is an inhibitor of ATP production. Furthermore, the uptake of ⁶⁷Ga into tumor cells was strongly inhibited by adding ouabain which is a specific inhibitor of Na⁺–K⁺-ATPase. From these in vitro results, it was concluded that there is a correlation between ⁶⁷Ga uptake and intra cellular ATP metabolism in tumor cells.