2025

Dillemuth P, Ayo A, Airenne TT, Lövdahl P, Bakay E, Zhuang X, Liljenbäck H, Paunonen ST, Kunnas J, Filppu P, Rajander J, Johnson MS, Roivainen A, Salminen TA, Rosenholm JM, Laakkonen P, Li X-G. Utilizing monocarboxylate transporter 1-mediated blood–brain barrier penetration for glioblastoma positron emission tomography imaging with 6-[¹⁸F]fluoronicotinic acid. Molecular Pharmaceutics. 2025, Publisher: ACS Publications.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5c00457

Dillemuth P, Ayo A, Zhuang X, Lövdahl P, Liljenbäck H, Kärnä S, Auchynnikava T, Kunnas J, Ponkamo J, Miner MWG, Rajander J, Rosenholm JM, Roivainen A, Airaksinen AJ, Laakkonen P, Li X-G. Rapid cleavage of 6-[¹⁸F]fluoronicotinic acid prosthetic group governs BT12 glioblastoma xenograft uptake: implications for radiolabeling design of biomolecules. EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry. 2025, 10:40. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41181-025-00368-1

Atencio Herre E, Li X-G, Liljenback H, Palani S, Andriana P, Jahandideh A, Virta J, Iqbal I, Dillemuth P, Kunnas J, Miner MWG, Rajander J, Mansour AH, Cleveland NA, Srinivasarao M, Low PS, Knuuti J, Saraste A, Roivainen A. Comparing two folate receptor targeted tracers in a rat model of experimental autoimmune myocarditis. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science. 2025, published online. Publisher: ACS Publications.

DOI:10.1021/acsptsci.4c00749

Andriana P, Palani S, Liljenbäck H, Iqbal I, Oikonen V, Virta J, Makrypidi K, Rajander J, Atencio Herre E, Suni A, Jalkanen S, Knuuti J, Martinez-Pomares L, Pirmettis I, Li X-G, Saraste A, Roivainen A. Macrophage mannose receptor CD206-targeted PET imaging in experimental acute myocardial infarction. EJNMMI Research. 2025, 15:66. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13550-025-01254-2

2024

Dillemuth P., Lövdahl P., Karskela T., Ayo A., Ponkamo J., Liljenbäck H., Paunonen S., Kunnas J., Rajander J., Tynninen O., Rosenholm J., Roivainen A., Laakkonen P., Airaksinen, A., Li X.-G. Switching the chemoselectivity in the preparation of [¹⁸F]FNA-N-CooP, a free thiol-containing peptide for PET imaging of fatty acid binding protein 3. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 2024, 21:4147-4156. Publisher: ACS Publications. This paper was featured with a cover art.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00546

This paper is associated with an interview by the same journal, Voices in Molecular Pharmaceutics: Meet Professor Xiang-Guo Li, an Expert in Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry and Positron Emission Tomography for Improved Imaging of Immunological Disorders and Brain Tumors | Molecular Pharmaceutics (acs.org)

Dillemuth P., Karskela T., Ayo A., Ponkamo J., Kunnas J., Rajander J., Tynninen O., Roivainen A., Laakkonen P., Airaksinen A., Li X.-G. Radiosynthesis, structural identification and in vitro tissue binding study of [¹⁸F]FNA-S-ACooP, a novel radiopeptide for targeted PET imaging of fatty acid binding protein 3. EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry, 2024, 9:16. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1186/s41181-024-00245-3

Li A., Jaakkola M.K., Saaresranta T., Klén R., Li X.-G. Analysis of sleep apnea research with a special focus on the use of positron emission tomography as a study tool. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2024, 77:101967. Publisher: Elsevier.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2024.101967.

Eichin D., Rahkila J., Li X.-G., Ekambaram R., Lassfolk R., Leino R., Savolainen J. Mannose receptor independent uptake of transmembrane glycocluster immunostimulant TADM by macrophages. Carbohydrate Research, 2024, 541:109166. Publisher: Elsevier.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carres.2024.109166.

Andriana P., Fair-Mäkelä R., Liljenbäck H., Kärnä S., Iqbal I, Makrypidi K., Rajander J., Pirmettis I., Li X.-G., Jalkanen S., Saraste A., Salmi M., Roivainen A. Macrophage mannose receptor CD206 targeting of fluoride-18 labeled mannosylated dextran: a validation study in mice. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2024, 51:2216-2228. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06686-x

Nammas W., Paunonen C., Teuho J., Siekkinen R., Luoto P., Käkelä M., Hietanen A., Viljanen T., Dietz M., J. O. Prior, Li X.-G., Roivainen A., Knuuti J., Saraste A. Imaging of myocardial αvβ3 integrin expression for evaluation of myocardial injury after human acute myocardial infarction. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2024,65:132-138. Publisher: American Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, USA.

DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.266148

Bhowmik A.A., Heikkilä T.R.H., Polari L, Virta J, Liljenbäck H, Moisio O, Li X.-G., Viitanen R, Jalkanen S, Koffert J, Toivola D.M., Roivainen A. Detection of intestinal inflammation by vascular adhesion protein-1-targeted [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9 positron emission tomography in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Molecular Imaging and Biology, 2024, 26:322-333. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1007/s11307-023-01885-8

Toyohara J., Vugts D., Kiss O.C., Todde S., Li X.-G., Liu Z., Yang Z., Gillings N., Cazzola E., Szymanski W., van der Meulen N., Reilly R., Taddei C., Schirrmacher R., Li Z., Jorge Lagebo Y., Bentaleb N., de Souza Albernaz M., Lapi S., Ramogida C., Mukherjee A., Ajenjo J., Deuther-Conrad W., Bourdeau C. Highlight selection of radiochemistry and radiopharmacy developments by editorial board. EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry, 2024, 9:42. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41181-024-00268-w

2023

Andriana P., Makrypidi K., Liljenbäck H., Rajander J., Saraste A., Pirmettis I., Roivainen A., Li X.-G. Aluminium fluoride-18 labeled mannosylated dextran: radiosynthesis and initial preclinical PET studies. Molecular Imaging and Biology, 2023, 25:1094-1103. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1007/s11307-023-01816-7

Miner M.W.G., Liljenbäck H., Virta J., Kärnä S., Viitanen R., Elo P., Gardberg M., Teuho J., Saipa P., Rajander J., Mansour A.H., Cleveland N.A., Low P.S., Li X.-G., Roivainen A. High folate receptor expression in human and rat gliomas: Al[¹⁸F]F-NOTA-folate shows high tumour-to-brain uptake ratio in glioma rat model. Frontiers in Immunology, 2023, 14:1145473. Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A. 

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1145473

Auchynnikava T., Antti Ä, Liljenbäck H., Järvinen J., Andriana P., Kovacs L., Rautio J., Rajander J., Virta P., Roivainen A., Li X.-G., Airaksinen A. Tetrazine glycoconjugate for pretargeted PET imaging of trans-cyclooctene functionalized molecular spherical nucleic acids. ACS Omega. 2023. 8:45326–45336. Publisher: American Chemical Society.

DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04041

Jahandideh A, Virta J, Li X.-G., Liljenbäck H, Moisio O, Ponkamo J, Rajala N, Alix M, Lehtonen J, Mäyränpää MI, Salminen TA, Knuuti J, Jalkanen S, Saraste A, Roivainen A. Vascular adhesion protein-1-targeted PET imaging in autoimmune myocarditis. Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 2023, 30:2760–2772. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1007/s12350-023-03371-8

Torrieri G., Iqbal I., Fontana F., Talman V., Liljenbäck H., Andriana P., Nammas W., Li X.-G., Teesalu T., Roivainen A., Hirvonen J., Ruskoaho H., Vimalkumar Balasubramanian V., Saraste A., Santos H.A.  In vivo evaluation of macrophage hitchhiking nanoparticles for the treatment of myocardial infarction. Advanced Functional Materials, 2023, 33:2303658. Publisher: Wiley. 

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202303658

Moisio O., Virta J., Yatkin E., Palani S., Viitanen R., Miner M.W.G., Oikonen V., Tolvanen T., Vugts D.J., Taimen P., Li X.-G., Hollmén M., Jalkanen S., Roivainen A. Preclinical evaluation of a humanized antibody against common lymphatic endothelial and vascular endothelial receptor-1, ⁸⁹Zr-desferrioxamine-bexmarilimab, in a rabbit model of renal fibrosis. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2023, 64:555-560. Publisher: American Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, USA.

DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.122.264725

2022

Suilamo S., Li X.-G., Lankinen P., Oikonen V., Tolvanen T., Luoto P., Viitanen R., Saraste A., Seppänen M., Pirilä L., Hohenthal U., Roivainen A. ⁶⁸Ga-Citrate positron emission tomography of healthy men: whole-body biodistribution kinetics and radiation dose estimates. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2022, 63:1598-1603. Publisher: American Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, USA.

DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.122.263884

Viitanen R., Virtanen H., Liljenbäck H., Moisio O., Li X.-G., Nicolini V., Richard M., Klein C., Nayak T., Jalkanen S., Roivainen A. [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9 Detects Pharmacodynamic changes of FAP-targeted IL2 variant immunotherapy in B16-FAP melanoma mice. Fronters in Immunology, 2022, 13:901693. Publisher: Frontiers Media SA, Switzerland.

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.901693

Palani S., Miner MWG, Virta J., Liljenbäck H., Eskola O., Örd T., Ravindran A., Kaikkonen-Määttä M., Knuuti J., Li X.-G., Saraste A., Roivainen A. Exploiting glutamine consumption in atherosclerotic lesions by positron emission tomography tracer (2S,4R)-4-¹⁸F-fluoroglutamine. Frontiers in Immunology, 2022, 13:821423. Publisher: Frontiers Media Ltd. Switzerland.

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.821423

Li X.–G., Velikyan I, Viitanen R, Roivainen A. New PET radiopharmaceuticals for imaging inflammatory diseases. In: Signore A. (eds) Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. ISBN: 978-0-12-822980-4. 2022, 3:734–743. Elsevier.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822960-6.00075-2

2021

Miner M.W.G., Liljenbäck H., Virta J., Helin S., Eskola O., Elo P., Teuho J., Seppälä K., Oikonen V., Yang G., Kindler-Röhrborn A., Minn H., Li X.-G., Roivainen A. Comparison of: (2S, 4R)-4-[¹⁸F]Fluoroglutamine, [¹¹C]methionine, and 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-D-glucose and two small-animal PET/CT systems imaging rat gliomas. Frontiers in Oncology, 2021, 11:76732. Publisher: Frontiers Media Ltd. Switzerland.

DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.730358

Jahandideh A., Ståhle M., Virta J., Li X.-G., Liljenbäck H., Moisio O., Knuuti J., Roivainen A., Saraste A. Evaluation of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-NODAGA-RGD for PET imaging of rat autoimmune myocarditis. Frontiers in Medicine. 2021, 8:783596. Publisher: Frontiers Media Ltd. Switzerland.

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.783596

Elo P, Li X.-G., Liljenbäck H, Gardberg M, Moisio O, Miner M, Virta J, Saraste A, Srinivasarao M, Pugh M, Low PS, Knuuti J, Jalkanen S, Airas L, Lu YJ, Roivainen A. Efficacy and tolerability of folate-aminopterin therapy in a rat focal model of multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 2021, 18:30. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02073-7

Grönman M., Moisio O., Li X.-G., Toimela T., Huttala O., Heinonen T., Knuuti J., Roivainen A., Saraste A. Association between [⁶⁸Ga]NODAGA-RGD uptake and dynamics of angiogenesis in a human cell-based 3D–model. Molecular Biology Reports, 2021, 48:5347–5353. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06513-8

StåhleM., HellbergS., Virta J., LiljenbäckH., MetsäläO., LiX.-G., JauhiainenM., SaukkoP., Ylä-herttualaS., NuutilaP., KnuutiJ., SarasteA., RoivainenA. Evaluation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor expression in non-diabetic and diabetic atherosclerotic mice using PET tracer ⁶⁸Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4. AJP-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2021, 320:E989-E998. Publisher: American Physiological Society, USA.

DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00465.2020

Aime S., Al-Qahtani M., Behe M., Bormans G., Carlucci G., DaSilva J. N., Decristoforo C., Duatti A., Elsinga P. H., Kopka K., Li X.-G., Liu Z., Mach R. H., Middel O., Passchier J., Patt M., Penuelas I., Rey A., Scott P. J. H., Todde S., Toyohara J., Vugts D., Zhi Y. Highlight selection of radiochemistry and radiopharmacy developments by Editorial Board. EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry. 2021, 6:13. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1186/s41181-021-00128-x

Al-Qahtani M., Behe M., Bormans G., Carlucci G., Dasilva J., Decristoforo C., Elsinga PH, Kopka K., Li X.-G., Mach R., Middel O., Passchier J., Patt M., Penuelas I, Rey I, Scott P.J.H., Todde S., Toyohara J., Vugts D. Highlight selection of radiochemistry and radiopharmacy developments by Editorial Board. EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry. 2021, 6:5. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41181-020-00118-5

Viitanen R., Moisio O., Lankinen P., Li X.-G., Koivumäki M., Suilamo S., Tolvanen T., Taimen K., Mali M., Kohonen I., Koskivirta I., Oikonen V., Virtanen H., Santalahti K., Autio A., Saraste A., Pirilä L., Nuutila P., Knuuti J., Jalkanen S., Roivainen A. First-in-humans study of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9, a PET ligand targeting vascular adhesion protein 1. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2021, 62:577-583. Publisher: American Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, USA. This paper was featured with a cover art.

DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.120.250696

2020

Moisio O., Palani S., Virta J., Elo P., Liljenbäck H., Miner M., Käkelä M., Atencio Herre E., Tolvanen T., Marjamäki P., Örd T., Heinäniemi M., Kaikkonen-Määttä M., Zhang F., Srinivasarao M., Knuuti J., Low P.S., Saraste A., Li X.-G., Roivainen A. Radiosynthesis and preclinical evaluation of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-NOTA-Folate for PET imaging of folate receptor β-positive macrophages. Scientific Reports, 2020, 10:13593. Publisher: Springer Nature.

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70394-3

Miner M.W.G., Liljenbäck H., Virta J., Merisaari J, Oikonen V, Westermark J, Li X.-G., Roivainen A. (2S, 4R)-4-[¹⁸F]Fluoroglutamine for in vivo PET imaging of glioma xenografts in mice:  an evaluation of multiple pharmacokinetic models. Molecular Imaging and Biology, 2020, 22:969-978. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1007/s11307-020-01472-1

Jahandideh A., Uotila S., Ståhle M., Virta J., Li X.-G., Kytö V., Marjamäki P., Liljenbäck H., Taimen P., Oikonen V., Lehtonen J., Mäyränpää M.I., Chen Q, Low P.S., Knuuti J, Roivainen A, Saraste A. Folate receptor β targeted PET imaging of macrophages in autoimmune myocarditis. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2020, 61:1643-1649. Publisher: American Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, USA. DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.119.241356

Sirén S., Dahlström KM, Putreddy R, Rissanen K, Salminen TA, Scheinin M, Li X.-G., Liljeblad A. Candida antarctica lipase A-based enantiorecognition of a highly
strained 4-dibenzocyclooctynol (DIBO) used for PET imaging. Molecules, 2020, 25:897. Publisher: Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI).

DOI: 10.3390/molecules25040879

Ståhle M., Kytö V. Kiugel M., Liljenbäck H., Metsälä O., Käkelä M., Li X.-G., Oikonen V., Saukko P., Nuutila P., Knuuti J., Roivainen A., Saraste A. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor expression after myocardial infarction: imaging study using [⁶⁸Ga]NODAGA-exendin-4 positron emission tomography. Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 2020. 27:2386-2397. Publisher: Springer. 

DOI: 10.1007/s12350-018-01547-1

2019

Elo P., Li X.-G., Liljenbäck H., Helin S., Teuho J., Koskensalo K., Saunavaara V., Marjamäki P., Oikonen V., Virta J., Chen Q., Low PS, Knuuti J., Jalkanen S., Airas L., Roivainen A. Folate receptor-targeted positron emission tomography of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in rat. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 2019, 16:252. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1612-3

Hagert C., Siitonen R., Li X.-G., Liljenbäck H., Roivainen A., Holmdahl R. Rapid spread of mannan to the immune system, skin and joints within six hours after local exposure. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 2019, 196:383-391. Publisher: Wiley.

DOI: 10.1111/cei.13268

Benkherouf A., Taina K.-R., Meera P., Aalto A.J., Li X.-G., Soini S.L., Wallner M., Uusi-Oukari M. Extrasynaptic δ-GABAA receptors are high affinity muscimol receptors. Journal of Neurochemistry, 2019, 149:41-53. Publisher: Wiley.

DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14646

Chrusciel P., Yatkin E., LiX.-G., Jaakkola U.-M., KnuutiJ., JalkanenS., RoivainenA. Safety study of single-dose intravenously administered DOTA-Siglec-9 peptide in Sprague Dawley rats. International Journal of Toxicology, 2019, 38:4-11. Publisher: SAGE Publishing.

DOI: 10.1177/1091581818821606

2018

Kiugel M., Hellberg S., Käkelä M., Liljenbäck H., Saanijoki T., Li X.-G., Tuomela J., Knuuti J., Saraste A., Roivainen A. Evaluation of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DOTA-TCTP-1 for the Detection of Metalloproteinase 2/9 Expression in Mouse Atherosclerotic Plaques. Molecules, 2018, 23:3168. Publisher: Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI).

DOI: 10.3390/molecules23123168

Kiugel M., Kytö V., Saanijoki T., Liljenbäck H., Metsälä O., Ståhle M., Tuomela J., Li X.-G., Saukko P., Knuuti J., Roivainen A., Saraste A. Evaluation of ⁶⁸Ga-labeled peptide tracer for detection of gelatinase expression after myocardial infarction in rat. Journal of Nuclear Cardiology 2018, 25:1114-1123. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1007/s12350-016-0744-4

Silvola J.M.U., Li X.-G., Virta J., Marjamäki P., Liljenbäck H., Hytönen J.P., Tarkia M., Saunavaara V., Hurme S., Hakovirta H., Ylä-Herttuala S., Saukko P., Chen Q., Low P.S., Knuuti J., Saraste A., Roivainen A. Aluminum fluoride-18 labeled folate enables in vivo detection of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation by positron emission tomography. Scientific Reports, 2018, 8:9720. Publisher: Springer Nature.

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27618-4

Käkelä M., Luoto P., Viljanen T., Virtanen H., Liljenbäck H., Jalkanen S., Knuuti J., Roivainen A., Li X.-G. Adventures in radiosynthesis of clinical grade [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9. RSC Advances, 2018, 8:8051-8056. Publisher: The Royal Society of Chemistry, UK.

DOI: 10.1039/c7ra12423f

Moisio O., Siitonen R., Liljenbäck H., Suomela E., Jalkanen S., Li X.-G., Roivainen A. Exploring alternative radiolabeling strategies for sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 9 peptide: [⁶⁸Ga]Ga- and [¹⁸F]AlF-NOTA-Siglec-9. Molecules, 2018, 23:305. Publisher: Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI).

DOI: 10.3390/molecules23020305

2017

Virtanen H., Silvola J., Autio A., Li X.-G., Liljenbäck H., Hellberg S., Siitonen R., Ståhle M., Käkelä M., Airaksinen A. J., Helariutta K., Tolvanen T., Veres T. Z., Saraste A., Knuuti J., Jalkanen S., Roivainen A. Comparison of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9 and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyribose-siglec-9: inflammation imaging and radiation dosimetry. Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging. 2017, Article ID 7645070. Publisher: Wiley & Hindawi.

DOI: 10.1155/2017/7645070

Hellberg S., Silvola J.M.U., Kiugel M., Liljenbäck H., Savisto N., Li X.-G., Thiele A., Lehmann L, Heinrich T., Vollmer S., Laine V.J.O., Ylä-Herttuala S., Knuuti J., Roivainen A., Saraste A. 18-kDa translocator protein ligand ¹⁸F-FEMPA: biodistribution and uptake into atherosclerotic plaques in mice. Journal of Nuclear Cardiology 2017, 24:862-871. Publisher: Springer.

DOI: 10.1007/s12350-016-0527-y

2016