Potential Efficacy of 68 Ga-Trivehexin PET/CT and Immunohistochemical Validation of αvβ6 Integrin Expression in...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Imaging
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Alpha-v-beta-6 (αvβ6) integrin is upregulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (H&NSCCs).
• Trivehexin is a novel nonapeptide targeting αvβ6 integrin, suitable for labeling with positron emitters like 68 Ga.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of 68 Ga-Trivehexin PET/CT for imaging H&NSCC and PDAC.
• To correlate 68 Ga-Trivehexin uptake with αvβ6 integrin expression via immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two patients with suspected H&NSCC (n=20) or PDAC (n=12) underwent both 68 Ga-Trivehexin PET/CT and 18 F-FDG PET/CT.
• Tumor biopsies were performed for histopathological diagnosis and IHC assessment of αvβ6 integrin expression.

Main Results:

• 68 Ga-Trivehexin PET/CT demonstrated increased tracer uptake in 8/9 PDACs and 17/18 H&NSCCs, with good lesion delineation.
• Tumor uptake of 68 Ga-Trivehexin correlated positively with αvβ6 integrin expression levels determined by IHC.
• 68 Ga-Trivehexin PET/CT exhibited higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy compared to 18 F-FDG PET/CT for detecting primary and metastatic lesions.

Conclusions:

• 68 Ga-Trivehexin serves as a promising molecular imaging agent for αvβ6 integrin-positive tumors.
• It is particularly valuable in scenarios where 18 F-FDG PET/CT may be suboptimal due to low or nonspecific uptake.