ABSTRACT
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) plays an important role in the evaluation of malignant disease where it allows the in-vivo visualization of tissue function, representing, therefore, an important tool for the development of anticancer strategies. More accurate PET-based quantitative evaluation of somatostatin receptors in neuroendocrine tumors were obtained with positron-emitting radiogallium isotopes. Integrins are transmembrane glycoproteins consisting of two subunits, α and β, and to date, 25 different integrin αβ heterodimers have been reported. Integrins mediate cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix proteins or to the surfaces of other cells. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, plays a crucial role in development of cancer. Cells that are deficient in their apoptotic response can potentially become tumorigenic. The pre- and clinical scenario of positron radiolabeled molecules has shifted from few pioneering works to a wide range of applications with the goal of an accurate cancer diagnosis for a potential successful treatment.
