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Advances in Endocrine Tumor PET Imaging Targeting CXCR4 and GLP-1
Esther Mena1, Liza Lindenberg1, Peter Herscovitch2
1Molecular Imaging Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD.
Seminars in Nuclear Medicine
|May 30, 2025
Summary
Novel molecular imaging agents, including 68Ga-PentixaFor targeting C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and Exendin-4 targeting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), show promise for diagnosing endocrine tumors.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear medicine
- Molecular imaging
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Molecular imaging advances enable earlier and more accurate tumor detection.
- Nuclear medicine uses targeted imaging agents to improve lesion characterization.
- Endocrine tumors vary in aggressiveness, necessitating advanced diagnostic tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review new molecular imaging biomarkers for hormone-producing tumors.
- To discuss the clinical potential of CXCR4- and GLP-1R-based radiotracers in endocrinology.
Main Methods:
- Review of novel PET imaging agents.
- Focus on 68Ga-PentixaFor targeting CXCR4.
- Focus on Exendin-4 analog targeting GLP-1R.
Main Results:
- 68Ga-PentixaFor demonstrates utility in various malignancies and endocrine pathologies like primary aldosteronism and pituitary/adrenal adenomas.
- Exendin-4 analog is a novel radiotracer for preoperative localization of insulinomas.
Conclusions:
- CXCR4- and GLP-1R-based radiotracers represent significant advancements in endocrine tumor imaging.
- These novel agents offer potential for improved noninvasive assessment and clinical implementation in endocrinology.
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