[11C]MC1

[11C]MC1 is a radiolabeled positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent that acts as a selective and potent radioligand for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). It is labeled with carbon-11 and designed to non-invasively quantify COX-2 expression in vivo. COX-2 is an inducible enzyme upregulated during inflammation and in certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer. [11C]MC1 crosses the blood–brain barrier efficiently and binds specifically to human COX-2, enabling visualization of neuroinflammation and peripheral inflammatory processes. The drug has been evaluated in preclinical models (including humanized transgenic mice) and healthy humans for its ability to detect low-density COX-2 expression, with high specificity confirmed by blockade studies using celecoxib. Its primary indications are PET imaging of inflammation—including musculoskeletal conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and myositis—and research into neuroinflammatory diseases[5][6][3][4]. Developed initially by the National Institute of Mental Health, it represents a promising tool for both clinical research on inflammatory diseases and potential applications in oncology.

Other names

[11C]MC111C-MC1