^99mTc labeled glucose derivatives for tumor imaging

Glycolysis is a major energy source in tumor cells．Compared with normal cells, tumor cells tend to have higher metabolic rates and higher rates of glucose uptake．Therefore radionuclide-labeled glucose and derivatives are used for tumor imaging．^99mTc has excellent nuclear properties and is easily obtained from ⁹⁹Mo-^99mTc generator．^99mTc labeled radiotracers can be prepared easily from ready commercial kits．Consequently, ^99mTc labeled glucose derivatives are widely used radiopharmaceuticals in tumor imaging．Recent progresses in ^99mTc labeled glucose derivatives are summarized in this paper, with an outline of possible future developments．