18-F-fluoroacetate

A radioconjugate and an acetate analog labeled with fluorine F 18 ((18)F-FAC), a positron-emitting isotope, with potential prostate tumor tracer property using positron emission tomography (PET). Although the mechanism of action is unclear, fluorine F 18 acetate preferentially accumulates in tumor tissue, serving as a tracer for imaging tumors with PET. Fluorine 18 has a longer radioactive half-life (110 min) vs. the half-life of carbon-11 acetate (20.4 min). Furthermore, (18)F-FAC showed a rapid clearance from liver and extensive excretion to bile and urine in comparison with carbon-11 acetate, therefore this tracer may be a useful alternative to C-11 acetate for the detection of prostate tumors by PET.