Radiotracer

A radiotracer is a radioactive biomarker used for diagnosing and monitoring medical processes in the body. Biomarkers allow us to figure out what is happening in the body; Natural biomarkers, such as a high fever or low hemoglobin, are used by the human body to signal a problem.  Artificial biomarkers, on the other hand, are developed to be injected into a subject to track bodily processes. 

A radiotracer is a radioactive biomarker. Its name is derived from the combination of the words “radioactive” and “tracer.” It is a substance injected into the body that emits radiation, allowing its movement within the body to be tracked using advanced imaging techniques called PET (Positron Emission Tomography). This test is combined with a CT or MRI, which provide a detailed image of the organs. Afterward, a map of the radiation levels emitted by the radiotracer is overlaid on the organ images.   

The substance undergoes different chemical processes in healthy cells compared to diseased cells, and this difference can be seen according to the radiation emitted. At the end of the test, this information allows doctors to identify and diagnose medical issues and processes in the body, as well as choose a treatment or assess the success of a given treatment.