PET Imaging of Angiogenesis

This article reviews the application of PET in angiogenesis imaging at both the functional and molecular level. Angiogenesis is a highly-controlled process that is dependent on the intricate balance of both promoting and inhibiting factors, involved in various physiologic and pathologic processes. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate angiogenesis has resulted in the design of new and more effective therapeutic strategies. Because of insufficient sensitivity to detect therapeutic effects by using standard clinical end points or by looking for physiologic improvement, a multitude of imaging techniques have been developed to assess tissue vasculature on the structural, functional, and molecular level. All the methods discussed have been successfully used pre-clinically and will hopefully aid in anti-angiogenic drug development in animal studies.