Positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) represents one of the most powerful molecular imaging modalities for visualizing and quantifying radiopharmaceutical distribution in living systems. Protheragen offers end-to-end PET/CT imaging study services spanning preclinical research and IIT clinical investigations to accelerate your radiopharmaceutical development programs.
PET/CT imaging integrates functional metabolic information from positron-emitting radiotracers with high-resolution anatomical localization provided by computed tomography. This hybrid approach enables non-invasive, longitudinal assessment of radiopharmaceutical biodistribution, target engagement, and pharmacokinetics across diverse disease models. By detecting positron-emitting radionuclides such as fluorine-18, gallium-68, copper-64, and zirconium-89, PET/CT provides quantitative three-dimensional maps of tracer accumulation in target tissues and organs, supporting critical decision-making throughout drug development.
Fig 1. Principle of PET imaging. (Alqahtani, Fawaz F, 2023)
The clinical translation of PET/CT imaging has been further strengthened by the emergence of theranostic strategies, where diagnostic PET tracers and their therapeutic counterparts share identical targeting vectors. This paradigm allows researchers to visualize receptor expression and drug uptake prior to therapeutic intervention, optimizing patient selection and treatment monitoring. Advanced kinetic modeling and standardized uptake value (SUV) quantification further enhance the predictive power of PET/CT datasets, bridging preclinical findings with clinical outcomes.
The theranostic paradigm—combining diagnostic imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy using matched radiopharmaceutical pairs—has emerged as one of the most transformative trends in nuclear medicine. PET/CT serves as the cornerstone of this approach, enabling non-invasive visualization of molecular targets before, during, and after therapeutic intervention. The table below summarizes representative theranostic pairs currently under active clinical and preclinical investigation.
| Theranostic Pair | Diagnostic PET Tracer | Therapeutic Counterpart | Clinical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSMA | 68Ga-PSMA-11 / 18F-DCFPyl | 177Lu-PSMA-617 | Prostate cancer |
| SSTR | 68Ga-DOTATATE / 64Cu-DOTATATE | 177Lu-DOTATATE | Neuroendocrine tumors |
| FAP | 68Ga-FAPI-46 / 64Cu-FAPI-46 | 177Lu-FAPI-46 / 225Ac-FAPI-46 | Solid tumors |
| CXCR4 | 68Ga-Pentixafor | 177Lu-Pentixather | Hematologic malignancies |
| HER2 | 89Zr-trastuzumab / 64Cu-DOTA-trastuzumab | 225Ac-trastuzumab | Breast cancer |
| CD137 | [18F]AlF-NOTA-BCP137 | — | Immunotherapy monitoring |
Protheragen delivers comprehensive PET/CT imaging study solutions tailored to radiopharmaceutical developers, from early-stage tracer characterization through Phase 0 microdosing and full clinical trial support. Our integrated platform combines state-of-the-art preclinical imaging infrastructure with an established IIT clinical network, enabling seamless translation from bench to bedside. Whether you require biodistribution profiling of novel antibody-drug conjugates, pharmacokinetic modeling of peptide-based radiotracers, or companion diagnostic development for theranostic pipelines, Protheragen provides the scientific rigor and regulatory expertise to advance your program efficiently.
Small-animal PET/CT imaging for biodistribution, tumor targeting, and pharmacokinetic assessment using 18F, 68Ga, 64Cu, and 89Zr radiolabels. Dynamic and static acquisition protocols support quantitative analysis of tracer uptake, clearance, and off-target accumulation in rodent and non-rodent models.
Custom radiolabeling of small molecules, peptides, antibodies, and engineered fragments with positron-emitting isotopes. GMP-compliant precursor synthesis and quality control ensure traceability from preclinical to clinical stages.
Whole-body quantitative imaging combined with ex vivo gamma counting to generate time-activity curves, organ-level dosimetry estimates, and dose-volume histograms. These data inform safety margins and optimize dosing regimens for first-in-human trials.
Microdosing PET studies for human pharmacokinetic assessment, receptor occupancy quantification, and target engagement validation. Integration with established radiotracers such as 18F-FDG enables metabolic monitoring and treatment response evaluation.
Design and validation of PET imaging biomarkers co-developed with therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Supports regulatory submission packages for diagnostic-therapeutic pairing under the theranostic framework.
Phase 0, Phase I, and Phase II PET/CT protocol design, site qualification, image acquisition, centralized analysis, and clinical study report preparation. GCP-compliant workflows with standardized operating procedures.
A well-structured PET/CT imaging study follows a systematic progression from tracer development to data interpretation, ensuring reproducible and regulatory-compliant outcomes. Each phase builds upon validated methodologies to generate quantitative imaging data that support critical development decisions.
Step 1: Study Design and Protocol Development
Step 2: Radiochemistry and Quality Control
Step 3: Preclinical Imaging Acquisition
Step 4: Image Reconstruction and Quantification
Step 5: Biodistribution and Dosimetry Analysis
Step 6: Data Interpretation and Reporting
Ready to accelerate your radiopharmaceutical development with precision PET/CT imaging? Contact us today to discuss your project requirements, or reach out to our scientific team for a customized study proposal tailored to your therapeutic pipeline.
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