A longitudnal study to evaluate the prognostic potential of hypoxia estimation by 64 Copper ATSM PET CT in head and neck malignacies and NSCLC lung.

Positron Emission Tomogaraphy Computed Tomography PET CT has emerged as a promising technique in oncological imaging for diagnosis , staging, therapy response and evaluation of recurrence in a number of maligancies. Although 18F FDG Fluro deoxy glucose is the major tracer used for oncological imaging, it has many inherent limitations. One of them is that, it cannot adequately differentiate areas of hypoxia within the tumour. Tumour hypoxia is considered as one of the major reasons for the failure of radiotherapy in many tumours including head and neck,lung,cervical and rectal tumours. The imaging with hypoxia seeking agents had started with introduction of 18F FMISO in 1990s. Subsequently in 1997, the first study to assesss hypoxia with copper ATSM was carried out.

Tumor hypoxia, characterized by inadequate oxygen supply, is a well established factor contributing to the aggressive behaviour of maligancies. It is associated with poor prognosis, increased resistance to conventional therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and a higher likelihood of metastasis. The utilization of copper 64 diacetyl bis N4 methylthiosemicarbazone Cu 64 ATSM in the realm of lung,head and neck,cervical and rectal cancers has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing the understanding and management  of tumor hypoxia. Traditional methods for assessing tumor hypoxia have limitations, often lacking the sensitivity or specificity required for effective clinical application. In this context, Cu 64 ATSM has garnered attention due to its potential as a positron emission tomography PET tracer the dellectively accumulates in hypoxic tissues.