Imaging mouse models of breast cancer with positron emission tomography

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear imaging method that produces quantitative three-dimensional images of the distribution of positron-labeled radiotracers in vivo. Recent dramatic improvements in spatial resolution, and the development of dedicated small-animal PET scanners, now enable PET imaging studies to be carried out in mice. This allows the initiation, development and progression of cancer to be monitored longitudinally within individual animals. We will show examples of how PET is being used to track tumor development, and to detect early tumor response to chemotherapy. We will also show that potential therapeutics can be directly radiolabeled and how their biodistribution and concentration at the target site can be measured by PET imaging. The advantages and disadvantages of PET imaging compared with other imaging modalities will be discussed.