Molecular imaging of hypoxia in non-small-cell lung cancer

Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2015 May;42(6):956-76. doi: 10.1007/s00259-015-3009-6. Epub 2015 Feb 21.

Abstract

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the commonest cancer worldwide but survival remains poor with a high risk of relapse, particularly after nonsurgical treatment. Hypoxia is present in a variety of solid tumours, including NSCLC. It is associated with treatment resistance and a poor prognosis, although when recognised may be amenable to different treatment strategies. Thus, noninvasive assessment of intratumoral hypoxia could be used to stratify patients for modification of subsequent treatment to improve tumour control. Molecular imaging approaches targeting hypoxic cells have shown some early success in the clinical setting. This review evaluates the evidence for hypoxia imaging using PET in NSCLC and explores its potential clinical utility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Oxygen / metabolism*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / chemistry
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacology

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Oxygen