title: Where are we with imaging oxygenation in human tumours?
abstract: Tumour hypoxia represents a significant challenge to the curability of human tumours leading to treatment resistance and enhanced tumour regression. Tumour hypoxia can be detected by non-invasive techniques but the interrelationship between these techniques needs to be better defined. [18F]Fluoromisonidazole (18F-MISO) and Cu-labelled diacetyl-bis(N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone (Cu-ATSM) PET, and blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI are the lead contenders for human application based on their non-invasive nature, ease of use and robustness, measurement of hypoxia status, validity, ability to demonstrate heterogeneity and general availability; these techniques are the primary focus of this editorial.
authors.forename: Anwar R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Padhani
mesh_terms: D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography