Increased 68Ga-FAPI Uptake in Active Atherosclerotic Plaque

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

• Esophageal cancer diagnosis and staging are critical.
• Fibroblast activation protein (FAPI) is a target for cancer imaging.
• Gallium-68 labeled FAPI tracers enable positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging.

Observation:

• A 67-year-old male patient with esophageal cancer participated in a clinical trial.
• The patient underwent 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT imaging.
• Increased FAPI tracer uptake was observed in the primary esophageal tumor and areas of esophagitis.

Findings:

• The esophageal tumor showed significant FAPI uptake.
• Active coronary atherosclerotic plaque also exhibited increased FAPI activity.
• This suggests FAPI targets beyond the tumor microenvironment.

Implications:

• 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT may offer insights into tumor-associated inflammation.
• FAPI imaging might detect subclinical cardiovascular disease in cancer patients.
• Further research is needed to validate FAPI's role in non-oncological conditions.