CD98 Light Chain LAT1 Tracers in PET-CT Diagnosis of Cancer Patients

Amino acid-based PET tracers have become vital tools for non-invasive tumor imaging, offering greater specificity and sensitivity than conventional 18F-FDG. These tracers target amino acid transporters, particularly L-type Amino Acid Transporter 1 (LAT1), which is overexpressed in rapidly proliferating tumor cells. Various 18F-labeled amino acid tracers have been explored for imaging different malignancies, including gliomas, neuroendocrine tumors, and lung cancers. This review summarizes the performance of LAT1-specific radiotracers, comparing their uptake ratios, sensitivity, and specificity in cancer diagnosis. These tracers have led to significant advancements in tumor imaging, providing better diagnostic accuracy, enhanced tumor delineation, and reduced interference from inflammatory tissue. Although promising, the clinical utility of these tracers requires further research and clinical trials to refine their applications and optimize their role in routine clinical practice. Continued development will be crucial in making these tracers more effective and widely applicable for cancer diagnosis and treatment planning.