Current issues in the utility of 19F nuclear magnetic resonance methodologies for the assessment of tumour hypoxia

It is now well established that uncontrolled proliferation of tumour cells together with the chaotic and poorly regulated blood supply of solid tumours result in tissue hypoxia, and that hypoxic regions of tumouts are resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The development and application of non-invasive methods to rapidly determine the degree and extent of tumour hypoxia in an individual tumour would clearly enhance cancer treatment strategies. This review describes the current status of two F-19 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methodologies that have been exploited to investigate turnout hypoxia, namely: (i) F-19 NMR oximetry following administration of perfluorocarbons, from which tumour po(2) measurements can be made; and (ii) F-19 NMR measurements of the turnout retention of fluorinated 2-nitroimidazoles.