[Dopamine-D2 receptor scintigraphy with 123I-iodobenzofuran in malignant melanoma]

In recent publications dopamine-D2 receptor scintigraphy with benzamides was postulated for specific imaging of melanoma. In a prospective study the value of 123I-iodobenzofuran (IBF), a highly specific and affine dopamine-D2 receptor ligand was evaluated for the detection of melanoma metastases. With IBF-D2 receptor scintigraphy only 2 of 17 melanoma metastases could be detected. The interpretation of the abdomen was impaired by the hepatobiliary and renal excretion of the radionuclide. The ratio striatum/frontal cortex of 2.75 +/- 0.49 3 h p.i. demonstrated a high D2-receptor binding of the ligand. IBF-D2-receptor scintigraphy is not suitable as a method of staging melanoma.