Novel Molecular Imaging Approaches: Towards a Better Estimation of Response in Breast Cancer

The use of [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT) in breast cancer response assessment and monitoring is well established. However, there are limitations not only to the use of [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT in breast cancer, but also deficiencies in the conventional imaging assessment of treatment response. Breast cancer is biologically heterogeneous, and heterogeneity of tumours limits the accuracy of [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT assessment in some subtypes of breast cancer. Increased understanding of tumour biology and the tumour microenvironment have led to the development of new, specific radio-tracers. These targeted tracers may offer a solution in terms of more accurate response assessment, and prognostication.