[18F]FB-interleukin-2

[18F]FB-interleukin-2 is a radiopharmaceutical PET tracer designed to non-invasively image and quantify the infiltration of activated T-lymphocytes in vivo. It consists of the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) conjugated to the positron-emitting radioisotope fluorine-18 via a 4-fluorobenzoyl (FB) prosthetic group. The tracer specifically binds to the high-affinity interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), particularly the CD25 (IL-2Rα) subunit, which is highly expressed on activated T-cells and regulatory T-cells (Tregs). By targeting these cells, [18F]FB-interleukin-2 allows for the assessment of the immune response in various conditions, including oncology (to monitor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors), autoimmune diseases, and transplant rejection. It is primarily used in clinical research to identify patients likely to respond to immunotherapy and to monitor treatment efficacy.

Other names

18F-labeled interleukin-2N-(4-[18F]fluorobenzoyl)interleukin-2[18F]FB-IL2