Positron emission tomography imaging as a cancer biomarker

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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

A Basic Positron Emission Tomography System Constructed to Locate a Radioactive Source in a Bi-dimensional Space
14:19

A Basic Positron Emission Tomography System Constructed to Locate a Radioactive Source in a Bi-dimensional Space

Published on: February 1, 2016

Evan Y Yu1, David A Mankoff

  • 1Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Division of Medical Oncology, 825 Eastlake Avenue East, G4-836, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. evanyu@u.washington.edu

Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics
|September 26, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Novel biologic agents are transforming oncology, necessitating new biomarkers for individualized cancer care. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging shows promise in discovering these biomarkers to guide targeted therapies and improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biomarker Discovery
  • Molecular Imaging

Background:

  • The practice of oncology is evolving with the introduction of novel biologic agents.
  • Cancer treatment is shifting towards individualized care, driven by tumor heterogeneity.
  • There is a critical need for biomarkers to guide personalized therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the development of cancer biomarkers.
  • To explore the role of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in elucidating tumor biology.
  • To discuss the potential clinical applications of PET in cancer research and practice.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on cancer biomarker development.
  • Discussion of metabolic and molecular imaging techniques, particularly PET.
  • Analysis of the utility of PET in understanding tumor characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Biomarker discovery is essential for advancing individualized cancer therapy.
  • PET imaging offers significant opportunities to reveal critical aspects of tumor biology.
  • PET has the potential to enhance drug development and clinical decision-making.

Conclusions:

  • Individualized cancer care requires robust biomarker identification.
  • PET imaging is a powerful tool for biomarker discovery and tumor characterization.
  • Integrating PET into clinical research and practice can optimize cancer treatment strategies.

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