FAPI PET/CT tracer

FAPI PET/CT tracers are a class of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals designed to target fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is highly overexpressed on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the tumor microenvironment of various solid tumors. Unlike conventional [18F]FDG PET/CT, which measures glucose metabolism, FAPI PET/CT targets the tumor stroma, providing high tumor-to-background contrast, particularly in desmoplastic and stromal-rich cancers such as pancreatic, gastric, biliary, and breast cancers. These tracers were originally developed by researchers at Heidelberg University and have been licensed to companies like SOFIE Biosciences and GE HealthCare for clinical development and commercialization. FAPI PET/CT imaging is also being investigated for non-oncological indications, including cardiovascular diseases (such as myocardial infarction and pulmonary arterial hypertension) and fibrotic disorders.