Imaging

Molecular imaging can be used to detect cancer (diagnostic use) or to detect the expression of target receptors in patients with confirmed cancer indications, in order to determine whether they are likely to respond to a therapy targeting that specific receptor (theranostic use). In both cases, the radioisotope coupled to a targeting moiety recognizing a cancer-specific molecule needs to emit radiation that can be detected outside of the body. These isotopes typically emit gamma radiation (which can be used for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography – SPECT) or positrons (which can be detected using Positron Emission Tomography – PET). Typical SPECT isotopes are 111-Indium and 99m-Technetium, typical PET isotopes are 68-Gallium, 64-Copper or 18-Fluorine.