A new study by researchers at the University of Turku (Turun yliopisto,Finland;www.utu.fi) has shed light on the use of folate-based radiopharmaceuticals in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to detect folate receptors in brain tumors.

The research team observed that brain tumors comtain a higher amount of folate receptor expression compared to surrounding brain tissue. This finding has been confirmed in both experimental models and samples obtained from human tumors.

The researchers are optimistic that this significant discovery will pave the way for further investigation into the detection and treatment of brain tumors using folate targeting techniques.