Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) is in rapidly developing as a powerful imaging technique for diagnosis

efficacy evaluation and prognosis of tumor. In contrast to 18F-FDG

the amino acid tracers were helpful additional tools for differentiating tumor tissue and inflammation

edematous

necrotic and fibrotic tissue because of their low uptake in those tissues

so that amino acid tracers appear to be more specific than the widely used 18F-FDG. As a result

a number of attempts have been undertaken for radio-synthesis of amino acid with short half-life nuclide 18F and 11C. Purpose: The aim is to review and discuss the present knowledge on synthesis methods and preliminary clinic application of labeling amino acid. Methods: The advances on the synthesis methods and preliminary clinic application of labeling amino acid in recent years were introduced and discussed. Results: In recent years

many new 18F or 11C-labeled amino acids have been developed and their preliminary clinic applications were studied. Conclusion: The review provides an overview of this class of radiolabeled amino acids and highlights the current synthesis status and the key preliminary clinic applications. Abstract