Definition

A radioconjugate composed of the radionuclide fluorine F 18 conjugated to the florilglutamic acid that targets the cystine/glutamate transporter protein (xCT or SLC7A11), which is a subunit of the transport system xc(-), with potential imaging activity upon positron emission tomography (PET). Upon intravenous administration, fluorine F 18 florilglutamic acid specifically binds to xCT and is subsequently taken up by the cell via xc(-). Upon uptake, xc(-) activity can be assessed and tumor cells can be detected and imaged by PET. System xc(-), a sodium-independent, heterodimeric transporter, mediates the cellular uptake of cystine in exchange for intracellular glutamate at the plasma membrane; although, it will take up glutamate as well. Xc(-) shows increased activity in certain tumor cells compared to normal, healthy cells due to increased metabolic activity in tumor cells; it plays a key role in tumor cell proliferation, progression and chemoresistance as well as in the management of oxidative stress.