Objective(18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG), F-18-fluoro-3-deoxy-3-l-fluorothymidine (F-18-FLT), F-18-fluoromisonidazole (F-18-FMISO), and F-18-AlF-NOTA-PRGD2 (F-18-RGD) are all commonly used PET tracers for tumor diagnosis based on different mechanisms of tissue uptake. This study compared the ex-vivo biodistribution and PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging studies of these four PET tracers in a xenograft prostate tumor-bearing mouse model.Materials and methodsNude mice were inoculated with 5x10(6) PC-3 cells in the right armpit. The ex-vivo biodistribution of F-18-FDG, F-18-FLT, F-18-FMISO, and F-18-RGD at 30, 60, 90, and 120min after injection was compared. Micro-PET/CT images of F-18-FDG, F-18-FLT, and F-18-RGD were acquired at 60min, whereas F-18-FMISO images were acquired at 90min after injection.ResultsThe tumors were clearly visualized by micro-PET/CT using all four PET tracers. Ex-vivo biodistribution results showed highest tumor accumulation and tumor-to-muscle ratio of F-18-FDG at each time point, accompanied by physiologically high uptakes in the brain, heart, and intestinal tract. Modest uptake of F-18-FLT and F-18-FMISO in tumors was observed at 60 and 90min after injection, with less interference from other tissues compared with F-18-FDG. Besides, F-18-RGD also exhibited high tumor specificity; however, relatively low uptake was observed in the tumor.ConclusionOur results demonstrated the potential of F-18-FMISO and F-18-FLT in the diagnosis of xenograft prostate cancer. Copyright (C) 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.