PMID: 11337520May 5, 2001Paper

Radiolabeled amino acids: basic aspects and clinical applications in oncology

Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official Publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine
P L JagerD A Piers

Abstract

As the applications of metabolic imaging are expanding, radiolabeled amino acids may gain increased clinical interest. This review first describes the basic aspects of amino acid metabolism, then continues with basic aspects of radiolabeled amino acids, and finally describes clinical applications, with an emphasis on diagnostic value. A special focus is on (11)C-methionine, (11)C-tyrosine, and (123)I-iodomethyltyrosine, because these have been most used clinically, although their common affinity for the L-transport systems may limit generalization to other classes of amino acids. The theoretic and preclinical background of amino acid imaging is sound and supports clinical applications. The fact that amino acid imaging is less influenced by inflammation may be advantageous in comparison with (18)F-FDG PET imaging, although tumor specificity is not absolute. In brain tumor imaging, the use of radiolabeled amino acids is established, the diagnostic accuracy of amino acid imaging seems adequate, and the diagnostic value seems advantageous. The general feasibility of amino acid imaging in other tumor types has sufficiently been shown, but more research is required in larger patient series and in well-defined clinical settings.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cancer Metabolism

In order for cancer cells to maintain rapid, uncontrolled cell proliferation, they must acquire a source of energy. Cancer cells acquire metabolic energy from their surrounding environment and utilize the host cell nutrients to do so. Here is the latest research on cancer metabolism.

Related Papers

Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official Publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine
M LapelaM Teräs
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Gérard Moulin-RomséeK Van Laere
European Journal of Radiology
Valentina AmbrosiniStefano Fanti
Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official Publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine
R Edward ColemanS C Schold
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved