18F-Fluoromisonidazole in tumor hypoxia imaging

Abstract

Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors that is closely associated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy resistance, metastasis and tumors prognosis. Thus, it is important to assess hypoxia in tumors for estimating prognosis and selecting appropriate treatment procedures. 18F-Fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography (18F-FMISO PET) has been widely used to visualize tumor hypoxia in a comprehensive and noninvasive way, both in the clinical and preclinical settings. Here we review the concept, mechanisms and detection methods of tumor hypoxia. Furthermore, we discuss the correlation between 18F-FMISO PET and other detection methods, current applications of 18F-FMISO PET and the development prospects of this imaging technology.

Relaxometric investigations addressing the determination of intracellular water lifetime: a novel tumour biomarker of general applicability

“…With respect to the other methodologies currently proposed for hypoxia imaging, the herein described approach shows many advantages. For example, positron emission tomography (PET) exploits the tracer [ 18 F] fluoromisonidazole ([ 18 F]FMISO) [23,24], for hypoxia molecular imaging. In hypoxic environments, [ 18 F] FMISO radical anion persists long enough to react with macromolecules, trapping the tracer in the intracellular compartment.…”

Hypoxia-activated prodrugs and (lack of) clinical progress: The need for hypoxia-based biomarker patient selection in phase III clinical trials

“…When labeled with 18 F, these 2-nitroimidazole compounds can also be used to image hypoxia using noninvasive positron emission tomography (PET). Well-known PET tracers for hypoxia include FMISO, FAZA and HX4 (extensively summarized in [97] , [98] , [99] ). FMISO, the first tracer that was developed and the one that has been studied most extensively, could identify hypoxia in different human tumors [60] , although limited clearance of the unbound tracer due to its high lipophilicity leads to low tumor specificity.…”

99mTc Labelling Strategies for the Development of Potential Nitroimidazolic Hypoxia Imaging Agents

“…The detection of tumour hypoxia by nuclear medicine techniques was proposed by Chapman in 1979 [8] using radiolabelled 2-nitroimidazoles structurally derived from the antibiotic azomycin. The radiohalogenated derivative [ 18 F]FMISO has been the most successful product and is nowadays considered the gold standard for hypoxia imaging using positron emission tomography [9,10]. However, development of 99m Tc-labelled hypoxia imaging agents has also been pursued by many research groups due to the wider availability, especially in developing countries.…”