⁶⁸Ga-labeled radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography

⁶⁸Ga is a promising emerging radionuclide for positron emission tomography (PET). It is produced using a ⁶⁸Ge/⁶⁸Ga-generator, and thus, would enable the cyclotronindependent distribution of PET. However, new ⁶⁸Galabeled radiopharmaceuticals that can replace ¹⁸F-labeled agents like [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) are needed. Most of the ⁶⁸Ga-labeled derivatives currently used are peptide agents, but the developments of other agents, such as amino acid derivatives, nitroimidazole derivatives, and glycosylated human serum albumin, are being actively pursued in many laboratories. Thus, appearance of new ⁶⁸Ga-labeled radiopharmaceuticals with high impact are expected in the near future. Here, we present an overview of ⁶⁸Ga-labeled agents in terms of their clinical significances and relevances to the management of certain tumors, and pertinent pre-clinical developments.