What is the primary purpose of using 11C-FMAU in PET imaging?

Using 11C-FMAU in PET imaging serves a significant role as a marker for cell proliferation. This radiotracer is a thymidine analog, which means it is incorporated into the DNA of dividing cells. Because of this property, 11C-FMAU provides insight into the growth and replication of tumor cells, making it particularly useful in oncology for assessing the aggressiveness of tumors and monitoring treatment response.

In cancer research and clinical practice, understanding cell proliferation is crucial because it can correlate with tumor behavior and patient prognosis. By utilizing 11C-FMAU, clinicians and researchers can effectively visualize and quantify the levels of cellular proliferation in a non-invasively, thereby offering valuable information in the diagnosis and management of various malignancies.

This distinct characteristic of 11C-FMAU sets it apart from the other listed purposes, such as measuring blood flow or evaluating ischemia, which involve different tracers and principles and do not specifically target cellular division.