[18F]fluorocellobiose

[18F]fluorocellobiose (also known as [18F]FCB) is a novel investigational positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceutical developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center. It is a fluorine-18-labeled derivative of cellobiose, a disaccharide, and is synthesized from commercial [18F]FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose). The tracer's mechanism of action targets the enzyme beta-glucosidase (BGL), which is expressed by several filamentous fungi, including Aspergillus fumigatus. Upon encountering BGL-producing fungi, [18F]FCB is metabolized into [18F]FDG and glucose; the resulting [18F]FDG is then trapped within the metabolically active fungal cells, enabling specific PET imaging of fungal infections. It is currently being investigated in Phase 1 clinical trials for the detection and monitoring of invasive fungal infections (IFIs), particularly invasive mold infections such as invasive aspergillosis, and for evaluating antifungal treatment response.

Other names

[18F]fluorocellobiose2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluorocellobiose