Radiopharmaceuticals
Pharmaceutical compounds containing radioactive isotopes administered to patients for target-specific diagnostic imaging or therapy.
Governing formula
Targeted Radionuclide Compound: Radiotracer + Carrier Molecule
SI unit
MBq or mCi (Administered Activity)
In depth
Combines a biological carrier molecule that targets specific cellular receptors with a radioisotope emitter (gamma/positron for imaging, alpha/beta for therapy).
Examples in the real world
Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) concentrating in high-glucose-metabolism cancer cells for PET imaging.