Positron Emission Tomography (PET) provides unique in vivo information about specific molecular pathways in cancer, and holds great translational value for Hillman investigators. Preclinical imaging with PET and/or PET-CT:
- provides noninvasive small animal imaging of molecular targets using dedicated small animal PET with optional co-registration of CT
- facilitates translational research aimed at imaging cancer patients with clinical PET-CT
The IVIF staff provide expertise and guidance in experimental design, determination of the optimal radiopharmaceutical, development, validation and implementation of methodology for animal PET imaging studies, as well as data analysis and interpretation.
Specifically, PET-CT services include:
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- PET radiotracer development and production
- in vivo tracer distribution and tracer kinetic studies
- small animal PET and/or PET-CT imaging
- data processing and analyses of:
- tracer uptake studies
- tracer quantification in small animal PET (studies)
- state-of-the-art tracer kinetic modeling
The PET Laboratory at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital houses a Siemens Eclipse HP 11 MeV negative-ion cyclotron, which is configured with a dual beam extraction port and two 4-position target carousels, increasing the maximum number of mounted targets to a total of eight. Novel, literature or routine fluorine-18-labeled tracers can be produced for imaging with the Siemens Inveon scanner at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
PET Radiotracer Development
[18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is available for animal studies on a daily basis. In addition, [11C]Acetate, [11C]Choline, [11C]Methionine, [18F]Fluoroacetate, and [18F]Fluoroestradiol have been synthesized and are available for small animal imaging experiments.
Larger biomolecules, including peptides, proteins (e.g. monoclonal antibodies) and nanoparticles can be radiolabeled with non-standard positron emitters such as copper-64 (T1/2 = 12.7 h) and zirconium-89 (T1/2=78.4 h) for small animal PET-CT imaging. Gallium-68 (T1/2 = 68 min) will be available through a 68Ge/68Ga generator in the radiochemistry laboratory at the Hillman Cancer Center for labeling rapidly clearing biomolecules.
Preclinical PET-CT Equipment
The Hillman PET-CT service utilizes the extensive existing UPMC resources, including one Siemens Inveon small animal PET-CT at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Animal Facility.
A small animal PET-CT scanner at the Hillman Cancer Center is located adjacent to a radiochemistry laboratory.
Consultation Services
The PET experts offer consultation services to investigators, to discuss specific research objectives and the appropriate PET imaging protocol. Consultations include guidance in experimental design, development, validation, and implementation of methodology in the interpretation of study data. Please contact Dr. Jessie Nedrow for more information or to set up an appointment regarding your preclinical imaging studies.
