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Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Tumor Apoptosis with a Caspase-Sensitive Nano-Aggregation Tracer [18F]C-SNAT

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Reporter Gene Imaging

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1790))

Abstract

Cellular apoptosis is an important criterion for evaluating the efficacy of cancer therapies. We have developed a new small molecule probe ([18F]C-SNAT) for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of apoptosis. [18F]C-SNAT, when activated by caspase-3 and glutathione reduction, undergoes intramolecular cyclization followed by self-assembly to form nano-aggregates in apoptotic cells. This unique mechanism creates preferential retention of gamma radiation signals in targeted cells and thus enables the detection of apoptosis using PET, a sensitive and clinically practical technique. This protocol describes the chemical synthesis, radiolabeling and PET imaging of apoptosis using this probe.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Departments of Radiology and Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Zixin Chen & Jianghong Rao

Authors
  1. Zixin Chen
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  2. Jianghong Rao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jianghong Rao .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Purnima Dubey

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Chen, Z., Rao, J. (2018). Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Tumor Apoptosis with a Caspase-Sensitive Nano-Aggregation Tracer [18F]C-SNAT. In: Dubey, P. (eds) Reporter Gene Imaging. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1790. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7860-1_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7860-1_14

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7858-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7860-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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