New PET tracer targets human CD68 to image macrophages

Researchers report development of [Zr]Zr-DFO-Fab8, a synthetic human Fab-based immunoPET tracer targeting human CD68, described as the gold standard histopathological biomarker for pan-macrophages. In animal models, the study found significantly higher tracer uptake in CD68-positive tissue and THP-1 macrophage tumors compared to controls, with PET signal correlating strongly with CD68 immunofluorescence staining. The authors state these findings support the feasibility of direct PET-to-histopathological correlation for assessing total tumor-associated macrophage burden.

Most relevant for: Preclinical and translational researchers investigating imaging of tumor-associated macrophages for prognosis or therapeutic response assessment.

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