PET Imaging of Integrin αVβ3 Expression

PET imaging of integrin alpha v beta 3 expression has been studied intensely by the academia and recently also by the industry. Imaging of integrin alpha v beta 3 expression is of great potential value, as the integrin alpha v beta 3 is a key player in tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. Therefore PET imaging of this target might be a suitable in-vivo biomarker of angiogenesis and metastatic potential of tumors. In this manuscript, the various strategies for PET imaging of the integrin alpha v beta 3 will be summarized, including monomeric and multimeric radiolabelled RGD peptides and nanoparticles. While most experiments have been performed using preclinical tumor models, more and more clinical results on PET imaging of alpha v beta 3 expression are available and will be discussed in detail. However, while a multitude of radiotracer strategies have been successfully evaluated for PET imaging of alpha v beta 3, the ultimate clinical value of this new imaging biomarker still has to be evaluated in large clinical trials.