POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING METHOD

摘要

The invention relates to compositions and methods to diagnose/monitor, using positron emission tomography, pathogenic disease states wherein the pathogenic cells uniquely express, preferentially express, or overexpress vitamin receptors. In an illustrative embodiment, vitamins, or analogs thereof, conjugated to a radiophore are used to diagnose/monitor disease states extra-corporeally using positron emission tomography. The disease states that can be diagnosed/monitored in accordance with the invention are cancer and disease states involving activated macrophages, such as disease states involving an inflammatory response.