fluciclovine f 18

Fluciclovine f 18 is a radiopharmaceutical diagnostic agent used in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, primarily for the detection of suspected prostate cancer recurrence based on elevated blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels following prior treatment. It is a synthetic amino acid analogue of L-leucine, radiolabeled with fluorine F 18. The drug is transported into cells by amino acid transporters such as LAT1 and ASCT2, which are upregulated in many tumor cells including those of prostate cancer. Unlike natural amino acids, it is not metabolized but accumulates preferentially in tumor cells due to their increased metabolic needs, allowing for enhanced imaging contrast between malignant and normal tissues. Fluciclovine f 18 was developed by Blue Earth Diagnostics and received FDA approval in May 2016[2][4][6][7].

Brand names

Axumin

Other names

Fluciclovine F-18fluciclovine ((18)F)