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DRD2 expression based on 18F-fallypride PET/MR predicts the dopamine agonist resistance of prolactinomas: a pilot
Hao Tang1, Yijun Cheng1, Xiaohui Lou2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Center of Pituitary Tumor, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
Purpose:
The dopamine agonists (DA) have been used widely to treat prolactinomas. However, it is difficult to predict whether the patient will be responsive to DA treatment.
Methods:
We aimed to investigate whether the in vivo expression of DRD2 based on 18F-fallypride PET/MR could predict the therapeutic effect of DA on prolactinomas. Seven patients with prolactinomas completed 18F-fallypride PET/MR. Among them, three patients underwent surgery and further tumor immunohistochemistry. Imaging findings and immunohistochemical staining were compared with treatment outcomes.
Results:
18F-fallypride PET/MR was visually positive in 7 of 7 patients, and DRD2 target specificity could be confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. A significantly lower tracer standard uptake value (SUV) could be detected in the resistant patients (n = 3) than in the sensitive patients (n = 4; SUVmean, 4.67 ± 1.32 vs. 13.57 ± 2.42, p < 0.05). DRD2 expression determined by 18F-fallypride PET/MR corresponded with the DA treatment response.
Conclusion:
18F-fallypride PET/MR may be a promising technique for predicting DA response in patients with prolactinoma.
