Fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (18F)

Fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (18F) is a radiopharmaceutical used in PET imaging. It is a fluorine-18 labeled analog of the amino acid L-tyrosine, and is used primarily in the imaging of brain tumors.

Chemistry

Fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (18F) is synthesized by the nucleophilic substitution of a tosylate precursor with fluorine-18. The resulting compound is then purified and formulated for injection. The fluorine-18 label allows for the detection of the compound in the body using PET imaging.

Pharmacology

Following injection, Fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (18F) is transported into cells via the LAT1 transporter. This transporter is overexpressed in many types of cancer cells, including brain tumors, allowing for the selective imaging of these cells. Once inside the cell, Fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (18F) is incorporated into proteins, where it remains trapped and can be detected using PET imaging.

Clinical Use

Fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (18F) is used primarily in the imaging of brain tumors. It has been shown to be particularly useful in the differentiation of tumor recurrence from radiation necrosis, a common problem in the follow-up of patients who have undergone radiation therapy for brain tumors. It is also used in the planning of radiation therapy, as it allows for the precise delineation of tumor boundaries.

Safety

Fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (18F) is generally well tolerated, with few reported side effects. As with all radiopharmaceuticals, there is a small risk of radiation exposure. However, the benefits of accurate tumor imaging generally outweigh this risk.

See Also

• Radiopharmaceutical
• Positron Emission Tomography
• L-type amino acid transporter 1
• Fluorine-18
• L-tyrosine