PET receptor imaging in clinical oncology

Long-term studies have demonstrated that cancer cells are characterised by different metabolic processes and receptor expression systems. These differences are known as cancer phenotypes. Understanding these differences is the key to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Recent reports indicate that some tumour cells have increased expression of receptors for somatostatin, bombesin, glucagon-like peptide 1, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptides, or cholecystokinin.