University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI)

Overview

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) can provide unique in vivo information about specific molecular pathways in cancer. The development of molecular imaging strategies related to cancer and their translation into clinical application has been recognized by the NCI as an important challenge for the future. The PET Facility (PETF) provides UPCI investigators with the necessary infrastructure and expertise for noninvasive small animal imaging of molecular targets using micro-PET, and it facilitates translational research aimed at imaging studies in cancer patients, using combined PET/CT technology.

The goals of the PET facility are:

• to provide accessible, comprehensive, and state-of-the-art PET imaging services in support of basic and clinical UPCI research programs; and
• to provide guidance in experimental design, development, validation and implementation of methodology for human and animal PET imaging studies, as well as the interpretation of study data.

The PET Facility provides UPCI investigators with the necessary infrastructure and expertise for noninvasive small animal imaging of molecular targets using micro-PET and facilitates translational research aimed at ultimate (noninvasive) imaging studies for cancer patients, using combined PET/CT technology. The services provided by the Facility include PET radiotracer development and production, in vitro and in vivo tracer distribution and tracer kinetic studies, and small animal PET and PET/CT imaging as well as human PET and PET/CT imaging. The service also includes data processing and analyses of in vitro tracer uptake studies, tracer quantification in small animal and human PET (studies), and state-of-the-art tracer kinetic modeling.