Review Article
Molecular Imaging of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review
Chinonyerem Okoro, Annerleim Walton Diaz, W Marston Linehan, Peter L Choyke and Adam R Metwalli*
Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Corresponding Author:
- Adam R Metwalli
Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
Tel: 301-496-6353
Fax: 301-402-0922
E-mail: [email protected]
Received date: April 21, 2014; Accepted date: July 07, 2014; Published date: July 20, 2012
Citation: Okoro C, Diaz AW, Linehan WM, Choyke PL, Metwalli AR (2014) Molecular Imaging of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review. J Mol Genet Med 8:117. doi:10.4172/1747-0862.1000117
Copyright: © 2014 Metwalli AR, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
Abstract
Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) represents a significant cause of cancer related deaths in the United States and worldwide. Current conventional imaging modalities including Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) reveal high resolution images of structural abnormalities; but these same modalities often fail to provide the adequate accuracy, specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing RCC from benign lesions. This has prompted ongoing investigation of molecular imaging modalities as a non-invasive alternative to biopsy. Initial use of glucose-based imaging agents has proven insufficient for common RCC histologies which have led to the development of targeted radiotracers to improve sensitivity of these scans. Current trials are ongoing to characterize the best use of these new targeted agents. In addition, novel radiotracer agents to evaluate renal perfusion, renal tubular function are being created and investigated.
