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Preliminary evaluation of FAPI-04-PET/CT for differentiating recurrence and post-treatment changes in high-grade gliomas

  • 0Depts of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Tata Memorial Hospital and Advanced Center for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Homi Bhabha National University, Dr E Borges Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India.
Exploration of Targeted Anti-Tumor Therapy +

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January 6, 2025

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January 6, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Fibroblast-activated protein (FAP) PET imaging shows promise in differentiating glioma recurrence from post-treatment changes. FAPI-PET imaging correlated with fluoro-ethyl tyrosine (FET) PET findings, aiding in diagnosis.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Neuroscience

Background

  • Fibroblast-activated protein (FAP) is expressed in glial cells, particularly in high-grade gliomas.
  • FAP expression is found on tumor vessels and neoplastic cells, indicating its potential as a biomarker.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To compare FAP-inhibitor (FAPI) PET imaging with standard fluoro-ethyl tyrosine (FET) PET for differentiating tumor recurrence from post-treatment changes in high-grade gliomas.
  • To assess the utility of FAPI-PET in the post-treatment setting for glioma patients.

Main Methods

  • Six patients with WHO Grade III and IV gliomas underwent Ga-68-FAPI-04 PET/CT (FAPI-PET/CT) after standard treatment.
  • Tracer uptake greater than background on FAPI-PET/CT was considered positive.
  • Fluoro-ethyl tyrosine (FET) PET was performed and interpreted according to institutional standards to guide treatment decisions.

Main Results

  • FAPI expression showed concordance with FET uptake in 5 out of 6 patients, suggesting disease recurrence.
  • One patient with no FAPI expression showed FET PET findings suggestive of post-treatment changes.
  • FAPI PET uptake correlated with amino acid uptake, aiding in differentiation.

Conclusions

  • FAPI PET imaging shows potential in differentiating high-grade glioma recurrence from post-treatment changes.
  • FAPI-PET may serve as a valuable tool alongside FET PET in managing glioma patients.
  • Further validation through prospective studies and histopathological confirmation is necessary.

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