Amino Acid-Derived Radiotracer Compounds for PET Cancer Imaging

Application

New class of fluorine-18 labeled amino acid-derived radiotracer compounds for positron emission tomography (PET) cancer imaging.

Key Benefits

• Next generation of cancer imaging agents.
• Enhanced sensitivity to detect glioblastoma, prostate cancer and other cancers.

Market Summary

PET imaging is a type of nuclear medicine procedure which relies on radioactive tracers to show the metabolic activity of cells in the body. The most commonly used radiopharmaceutical is ¹⁸F-FDG (fludeoxyglucose), whose level is greatly elevated in rapidly growing malignant tumors. PET radiotracers with enhanced sensitivity to better detect glioblastoma, prostate cancer and other cancers are needed.

Technical Summary

Emory inventors have developed a new class of fluorine-18 labeled compounds, fluorine-18-labeled 1-amino-cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acids, 1-amino-3,4-difluorocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acids ([¹⁸F]DFACPC). In vitro data show uptake of trans DFACPC enantiomers and meso anti-cis DFACPC in glioblastoma and prostate carcinoma cell lines, similar to Axumin, a standard radiotracer for PET imaging.

Developmental Stage

In vivo biodistribution studies are ongoing.