FMISO as a Biomarker for Clinical Radiation Oncology

Abstract

Tumour hypoxia is a well-known negative prognostic marker in almost all solid tumours. [18F]Fluoromisonidazole (FMISO)-positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive method to detect tumour hypoxia. Compared to other methods of hypoxia assessment it possesses some considerable advantages: It is non-invasive, it delivers spatial information on the hypoxia distribution within the entire tumour volume, and it can be repeated during the course of radio(chemo)therapy. This chapter briefly describes different methods of hypoxia evaluation and focuses on hypoxia PET imaging, with the most commonly used tracer being FMISO. The preclinical rationale and clinical studies to use FMISO-PET for patient stratification in radiation therapy are discussed as well as possible agents or radiation-dose modifications to overcome hypoxia.

Keywords: FMISO; Hypoxia; PET; Positron emission tomography; [18F]Fluoromisonidazole.