An Introduction to Newer PET Diagnostic Agents and Related Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals

Abstract

CE credit: For CE credit, you can access the test for this article, as well as additional JNMT CE tests, online at https://www.snmmilearningcenter.org. Complete the test online no later than September 2022. Your online test will be scored immediately. You may make 3 attempts to pass the test and must answer 80% of the questions correctly to receive 1.0 CEH (Continuing Education Hour) credit. SNMMI members will have their CEH credit added to their VOICE transcript automatically; nonmembers will be able to print out a CE certificate upon successfully completing the test. The online test is free to SNMMI members; nonmembers must pay $15.00 by credit card when logging onto the website to take the test. With new radiopharmaceuticals constantly in development, the field of nuclear medicine is ever evolving. This continuing education article reviews some of the newer, less frequently used radiopharmaceuticals for PET diagnostic imaging and related therapeutic protocols. The radiopharmaceuticals discussed include U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved tracers as well as tracers that are in clinical trials and have yet to obtain Food and Drug Administration approval. This article contains straightforward information on each tracer discussed, including disease process imaged or treated, half-life, energy, primary uses, basic protocols, distribution, and side effects. Although not all tracers may be available in rural locations, this information can be helpful in determining future patient-care offerings.

Tauvid™: The First FDA-Approved PET Tracer for Imaging Tau Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Aβ tracers have been thoroughly investigated and the related research has grown exponentially in recent years. Between 2012 and 2014, [ 18 F]florbetapir (Amyvid™), [ 18 F]flutemetamol (Vizamyl™), and [ 18 F]florbetaben (Neuroceq™) were consecutively approved by the FDA and the European Medicines Agency for imaging Aβ plaques in AD patients [8]. These PET tracers have greatly impacted the diagnosis of AD patients in the clinic and can assist in evaluating patients with cognitive impairment and dementia.…”

“…These isoforms are further categorised by whether they have a three or four carboxy-terminal repeat domains-which are referred to as 3R or 4R tau isoforms, respectively (Figure 1) [10]. [8]. These PET tracers have greatly impacted the diagnosis of AD patients in the clinic and can assist in evaluating patients with cognitive impairment and dementia.…”

Process validation, current good manufacturing practice production, dosimetry, and toxicity studies of the carbonic anhydrase IX imaging agent [111In]In‐XYIMSR‐01 for phase I regulatory approval

“…The specifications, where possible, are based on existing current guidelines (USP monographs, ICH, and FDA) for radiopharmaceutical, dosimetry, and toxicity data. [13][14][15][16] 2.5 | Validation of the analytical methods and procedures for [ 111 In] In-XYIMSR-01 product release…”

Estimation of the Internal Dose Imparted by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose to Tissues by Using Fricke Dosimetry in a Phantom and Positron Emission Tomography

“…The radionuclides used in diagnostic PET imaging include 18 F, 15 O, 13 N, 11 C, 64 Cu, 68 Ga, 82 Rb, 89 Zr and 124 I. 18 Fluorine ( 18 F)-radiotracers (e.g., 18 F-FDG, 18 F-FLT, 18 F-MISO, 18 F-NaF, and many others) (10,11) are routinely administered in many research protocols and clinical studies (e.g., cancer diagnosis and treatment follow up) (12,13). Presently, 18 F-FDG is the commonly used tracer.…”