Improved ways to attach radioactive fluorine to molecules for clearer cancer imaging
Metal Fluorination For biomolecules: Expanding The Radiofluorination Toolbox
Researchers are developing new methods to attach short-lived radioactive fluorine to imaging agents to help detect cancers such as prostate cancer and tumors expressing CAIX.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11241129 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will create metal–fluorine bonds to label targeting molecules with fluorine-18 and compare these to current aluminium‑fluoride approaches. They will test how the metal-labeled tracers behave in the body, including biodistribution and blood stability, and whether they can also carry a paired therapeutic isotope for theranostic use. Successful chemistries will be demonstrated on two cancer targets, PSMA (common in prostate cancer) and CAIX (a marker in certain tumors). Work will be done with an eye toward GMP-compatible methods to enable faster translation toward clinical imaging.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with prostate cancer or patients whose tumors express CAIX who may later be eligible for PET imaging using the new tracers.
Not a fit: People without cancers that express PSMA or CAIX, or those not eligible for PET imaging, are unlikely to see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce clearer or more versatile PET imaging agents and speed their translation into clinical scans and paired therapy options.
How similar studies have performed: Aluminium‑fluoride (AlF) radiolabeling has been used successfully in clinical imaging, but metal‑centered fluorination beyond AlF is newer and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carroll, Laurence — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Carroll, Laurence
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.