List of PET radiotracers

Updated 2026-07-28

Overview
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) utilizes radiolabeled molecules—radiotracers—that emit positrons detectable by a scanner. Radiotracers are chosen to target specific physiological, biochemical, or molecular processes. Below is a concise, factual compilation of PET radiotracers that are widely reported in peer‑reviewed literature and clinical practice.

1. Glucose Metabolism (Oncologic and Neurologic Imaging)

Radiotracer	Radioisotope	Primary Application
^18F‑Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)	^18F	Cancer staging, assessment of infection/inflammation, brain metabolism
^18F‑Fluoro‑L‑thymidine (FLT)	^18F	Cellular proliferation, tumor grading
^18F‑Fluoro‑ethyl‑tyrosine (FET)	^18F	Amino‑acid transport in brain tumors
^11C‑Methionine (MET)	^11C	Protein synthesis, brain tumor delineation
^18F‑DOPA (Fluorodopa)	^18F	Catecholamine synthesis, neuroendocrine tumors, Parkinsonian disorders

2. Amyloid and Tau Imaging (Neurodegenerative Disorders)

Radiotracer	Radioisotope	Primary Application
^11C‑Pittsburgh Compound B (PIB)	^11C	Cerebral β‑amyloid plaque detection
^18F‑Florbetapir (Amyvid)	^18F	β‑amyloid imaging in Alzheimer’s disease
^18F‑Florbetaben (Neuraceq)	^18F	β‑amyloid imaging
^18F‑Flortaucipir (AV‑1451)	^18F	Tau pathology in Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia

3. Cardiovascular Perfusion and Viability

Radiotracer	Radioisotope	Primary Application
^13N‑Ammonia	^13N	Myocardial blood flow quantification
^15O‑Water	^15O	Absolute perfusion measurement
^82Rb (Rubidium‑82)	^82Rb	Myocardial perfusion imaging (generator‑produced)
^18F‑Flurpiridaz	^18F	Emerging myocardial perfusion agent

4. Bone Metabolism

Radiotracer	Radioisotope	Primary Application
^18F‑Sodium Fluoride (NaF)	^18F	Skeletal metastasis detection, bone turnover assessment
^68Ga‑Citrate	^68Ga	Osteomyelitis and bone infection imaging (off‑label)

5. Neuroreceptor and Neurotransmitter Systems

Radiotracer	Radioisotope	Primary Application
^11C‑Raclopride	^11C	Dopamine D2/D3 receptor density
^18F‑Fallypride	^18F	High‑affinity D2/D3 receptor imaging
^11C‑DASB	^11C	Serotonin transporter (SERT) mapping
^18F‑SynVesT‑1	^18F	Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) for neurodegeneration
^11C‑PBR28	^11C	Translocator protein (TSPO) for neuroinflammation

6. Somatostatin Receptor Imaging (Neuroendocrine Tumors)

Radiotracer	Radioisotope	Primary Application
^68Ga‑DOTATATE	^68Ga	Somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) imaging
^68Ga‑DOTATOC	^68Ga	SSTR2/5 imaging
^68Ga‑DOTANOC	^68Ga	Broad SSTR subtype coverage

7. Prostate‑Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Imaging

Radiotracer	Radioisotope	Primary Application
^68Ga‑PSMA‑11	^68Ga	PSMA expression in prostate cancer
^18F‑PSMA‑1007	^18F	High‑resolution PSMA imaging, reduced urinary bladder activity
^18F‑DCFPyL	^18F	PSMA PET/CT for staging and recurrence detection

8. Hypoxia Imaging

Radiotracer	Radioisotope	Primary Application
^18F‑Fluoromisonidazole (FMISO)	^18F	Tissue hypoxia in tumors
^64Cu‑ATSM	^64Cu	Cellular hypoxia and redox status

9. Infection and Inflammation

Radiotracer	Radioisotope	Primary Application
^68Ga‑DOTA‑Ubiquicidin (UBI)	^68Ga	Bacterial infection imaging (experimental)
^18F‑FDG (high uptake)	^18F	Non‑specific inflammation, prosthetic joint infection

10. Emerging or Specialized Tracers

Radiotracer	Radioisotope	Primary Application
^11C‑Acetate	^11C	Prostate cancer metabolism, myocardial oxidative metabolism
^18F‑Fluorocholine (FCH)	^18F	Prostate cancer and parathyroid adenoma detection
^68Ga‑FAPI (Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor)	^68Ga	Cancer-associated fibroblast imaging
^89Zr‑Cetuximab	^89Zr	Antibody‑based imaging of EGFR expression (pre‑clinical/clinical trials)

Notes on Selection and Availability

Half‑life considerations: Short‑lived isotopes (^11C, t½ ≈ 20 min) require an on‑site cyclotron, whereas longer‑lived isotopes (^18F, t½ ≈ 110 min; ^68Ga, t½ ≈ 68 min) can be supplied via regional distribution or generator systems.
Regulatory status: Many tracers (e.g., ^18F‑FDG, ^68Ga‑DOTATATE, ^68Ga‑PSMA‑11) are FDA‑approved or have CE marking for clinical use. Others remain investigational or are used under research protocols.
Tracer choice depends on the targeted biological pathway, disease context, and logistical constraints (production, scanner availability, patient safety).

This list reflects radiotracers documented in peer‑reviewed pharmaco‑imaging literature, regulatory filings, and clinical guidelines up to 2024. It is not exhaustive; ongoing research continuously expands the repertoire of PET radiotracers.