[Hybrid imaging in lymphoma]

Area of Science:

• Nuclear medicine
• Oncology
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• [18F]FDG-PET/CT is the standard for lymphoma diagnosis and response assessment per international guidelines.
• PET/MRI and whole-body MRI offer advantages but are not widely endorsed for adult lymphomas.
• Some lymphomas exhibit low or variable avidity for [18F]FDG, challenging diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of novel PET tracers for lymphoma imaging.
• To evaluate [68Ga]Pentixafor as an alternative to [18F]FDG-PET/CT for specific lymphoma subtypes.
• To address limitations of current imaging modalities in visualizing non-FDG-avid lymphomas.

Main Methods:

• Review of current guidelines and emerging PET tracer research in lymphoma.
• Focus on the application of CXC motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) targeted tracers.
• Analysis of initial studies on [68Ga]Pentixafor for lymphoma visualization.

Main Results:

• [18F]FDG-PET/CT is the established backbone for lymphoma staging and response evaluation.
• [68Ga]Pentixafor, a CXCR4 tracer, demonstrates potential for imaging lymphomas that are not readily visualized by [18F]FDG.
• Specific non-FDG-avid lymphomas like MALT lymphoma and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma may benefit from [68Ga]Pentixafor imaging.

Conclusions:

• While [18F]FDG-PET/CT remains standard, novel PET tracers are crucial for comprehensive lymphoma management.
• [68Ga]Pentixafor shows promise as a more specific imaging agent for certain non-FDG-avid lymphoma types.
• Further research into advanced PET tracers could enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment monitoring in lymphoma.