[ 18 F]F-AraG PET Imaging of Immunometabolic Activity in Individuals Without Malignancy

[18F]F-AraG is a clinical-stage PET tracer in immuno-oncology that accumulates in activated T cells and tissues with high mitochondrial biogenesis. Characterizing its distribution in individuals without malignancy is essential for interpreting immunometabolic states relevant to cancer biology. Methods: Twenty adults without active malignancy underwent a single [18F]F-AraG PET/CT scan, with tracer uptake assessed in relation to clinical history, medications, and demographic and physiologic factors. Results: Bilateral brown adipose tissue activation was identified in 3 participants receiving potentially brown adipose tissue–activating medications, in the absence of cold exposure or fasting. One showed elevated vertebral bone marrow uptake, previously linked to poor survival in immune checkpoint inhibitor–treated lung cancer. One of 2 participants with breast implants showed asymmetric periimplant uptake. Posterior pulmonary uptake occurred in a subset of participants, often with prior respiratory conditions and thoracic lymph node uptake. Conclusion: Whole-body [18F]F-AraG PET captures diverse immunometabolic activity in individuals without malignancy, reflecting systemic processes that may influence cancer and treatment outcomes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Nuclear Medicine
Published
2026-10-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.126.273076
Primary Topic
Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

[ 18 F]F-AraG PET Imaging of Immunometabolic Activity in Individuals Without Malignancy

Tomomi W. Nobashi, Jelena Levi, Henry F. VanBrocklin, Robert R. Flavell et al.
Journal of Nuclear Medicine
Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
article

[ 18 F]F-AraG PET Imaging of Immunometabolic Activity in Individuals Without Malignancy

Tomomi W. Nobashi, Jelena Levi, Henry F. VanBrocklin, Robert R. Flavell, Uttam Shrestha, Hilda Cabrera, Youngho Seo, Joseph E. Blecha, Hee-Don Chae
article en

Abstract

[18F]F-AraG is a clinical-stage PET tracer in immuno-oncology that accumulates in activated T cells and tissues with high mitochondrial biogenesis. Characterizing its distribution in individuals without malignancy is essential for interpreting immunometabolic states relevant to cancer biology. Methods: Twenty adults without active malignancy underwent a single [18F]F-AraG PET/CT scan, with tracer uptake assessed in relation to clinical history, medications, and demographic and physiologic factors. Results: Bilateral brown adipose tissue activation was identified in 3 participants receiving potentially brown adipose tissue–activating medications, in the absence of cold exposure or fasting. One showed elevated vertebral bone marrow uptake, previously linked to poor survival in immune checkpoint inhibitor–treated lung cancer. One of 2 participants with breast implants showed asymmetric periimplant uptake. Posterior pulmonary uptake occurred in a subset of participants, often with prior respiratory conditions and thoracic lymph node uptake. Conclusion: Whole-body [18F]F-AraG PET captures diverse immunometabolic activity in individuals without malignancy, reflecting systemic processes that may influence cancer and treatment outcomes.

Journal of Nuclear Medicine
University of California, San Francisco (US), CellSight Technologies (United States) (US), Kyoto University Hospital (JP)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
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