CXCR4-Targeted PET Imaging in Hematologic Malignancies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The aims of this study were to perform a comprehensive review and meta-analyses and to report pooled diagnostic results on CXCR4-targeted PET, particularly considering detection, visualization, and prognostication.

This study followed PRISMA-DTA. A systematic search was conducted on major medical literature databases up to March 1, 2024. The search strategy was designed to include CXCR4 PET studies in hematologic malignancies. A random-effects model combined sensitivity values derived from 2-by-2 contingency tables. Pooled means for SUV max were computed. Analyses were performed by R software.

The initial search resulted in a total of 1428 studies. Ultimately, 18 were eligible for systematic review and meta-analytic calculations. Twelve studies (320 patients) included B-cell lymphoma. The pooled detection rate of CXCR4 PET was 99.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 88.3%-100%). Marginal zone lymphoma was investigated in 5 studies (209 patients), with a pooled sensitivity of 97.6% (95% CI: 79.7%-99.8%). In studies on central nervous system lymphoma, CXCR4 PET demonstrated 100% accuracy at both patient and lesion levels. Also, it demonstrated a significantly higher tumor-to-background ratio than 18 F-FDG PET. For multiple myeloma, 5 studies (116 patients) showed a patient-level pooled sensitivity of 77.8% (95% CI: 64.4%-87.2%), whereas 18 F-FDG PET had 65.0% (95% CI: 55.2%-73.7%). The pooled SUV max for CXCR4 PET was 13.6 (95% CI: 9.3-17.8) versus 9.0 (95% CI: 6.3-11.7) for 18 F-FDG PET. Additionally, CXCR4 PET-derived parameters were significant predictors of survival in multiple myeloma.

CXCR4 PET can be a helpful imaging tool for evaluating hematologic malignancies, particularly in B-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma patients. In specific clinical scenarios, it appears to be superior compared with the current standard-of-care imaging.