Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α) is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that is overexpressed in activated fibroblasts such as those occurring in the stroma of tumors or in the fibrotic processes accompanying various benign diseases. The recent development and clinical implementation of radiolabeled quinolone-based tracers suitable for positron emission tomography (PET) that act as FAP inhibitors have opened a new perspective in molecular imaging. While multiple studies have investigated the use of FAP imaging in cancer, evidence concerning its use in non-malignant diseases is still scarce. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of fibroblast activation imaging in non-malignant diseases to clarify the current and potential role of this class of molecules in nuclear medicine.
- Molecular Imaging
- PET
- PET/CT
- Fibroblast activation protein
- Fibrosis
- Inflammatory diseases
- Molecular imaging
- Positron emission tomography
- Copyright © 2022 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.