CXCR4-directed PET correlates with MRI-determined lymphoma lesions. Depicted are representative MR images (T1c- and FLAIR- sequences), and the corresponding CXCR4- directed PET images and fusion images (MRI-FLAIR and PET), of two patients with PCNSL and SCNSL, respectively. Images created by Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.

CXCR4-directed PET correlates with MRI-determined lymphoma lesions. Depicted are representative MR images (T1c- and FLAIR- sequences), and the corresponding CXCR4- directed PET images and fusion images (MRI-FLAIR and PET), of two patients with PCNSL and SCNSL, respectively. Images created by Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.


December 14, 2020 — Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 68Ga-pentixafor is an effective diagnostic tool for central nervous system (CNS) B-cell lymphoma, according to a proof-of-concept study published in the December issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Targeting the CXCR4 biomarker involved in the growth, survival and dissemination of aggressive B-cell lymphoma, 68Ga-pentixafor PET imaging shows excellent contrast characteristics between lymphoma lesions and surrounding healthy brain tissue and may be suitable for risk stratification and response assessment.

"CNS B-cell lymphoma is a rare malignancy that has several clinical challenges, including diagnosis, risk stratification and optimization of treatment," said Ulrich Keller, M.D., Ph.D., head of the department of hematology, oncology, and tumor immunology at Universtitätsmedizin Berlin (Campus Benjamin Franklin), in Berlin, Germany. "Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the current standard imaging technology for this disease, and while it provides high sensitivity, it offers only moderate specificity. Novel molecular and functional imaging strategies are urgently required for this patient population."

In a retrospective analysis to investigate this issue, 11 patients were imaged with 68Ga-pentixafor PET (four with PET/computed tomography and seven with PET/MRI). Lesions were analyzed, and immunohistochemistry was conducted. In the seven patients for whom post-treatment MRI scans were available, response to treatment was compared between the pre-treatment MRI and CXCR4-directed PET scans.

CXCR4-directed PET imaging with 68Ga-pentixafor was found to be positive in all active CNS lymphoma lesions, with a high tumor-to-background ratio that offered exceptional contrast. CXCR4 expression in vivo was validated by positive immunohistochemistry for CXCR4; in nine out of 11 patients for whom lymphoma biopsies were available, CXCR4 was highly expressed in the lymphoma lesions. Additionally, CXCR4-directed PET uptake values were found to have a significant prognostic value, indicating that lymphoma lesions with lower CXCR4 tracer uptake values were associated with a better response to standard treatment.

"This is significant for CNS B-cell lymphoma patients, as CXCR4-directed PET imaging with 68Ga-pentixafor could not only facilitate diagnostic work-up and response assessment but could also serve as a biomarker for selecting patients with a dismal prognosis who could benefit from more intense treatment options," noted Peter Herhaus, M.D., hemato-oncologist in the department for internal medicine III at the School of Medicine at Technische Universität München in Munich, Germany. "CXCR4-targeted theranostics thus moves nuclear medicine further on the track toward biomarker-informed molecular medicine."

For more information: www.snmmi.org


Related Content

News | Pediatric Imaging

December 1, 2023 — The Radiation Oncology Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is one of only a few in the country ...

Time December 01, 2023
arrow
News | RSNA

December 1, 2023 — In today's healthcare environment, the industry faces various pressing challenges. The magnetic ...

Time December 01, 2023
arrow
News | Radiology Imaging

November 30, 2023 — Through its leading imaging solutions and commitment to innovation, GE HealthCare remains at the ...

Time November 30, 2023
arrow
News | Artificial Intelligence

November 28, 2023 — iCAD, Inc., a global medical technology leader in innovative cancer-detection solutions, and ...

Time November 28, 2023
arrow
News | Treatment Planning

November 26, 2023 — TeleDaaS, PLLC, a leading dosimetry-as-a-service provider, made its official debut today at the ...

Time November 26, 2023
arrow
News | Quality Assurance (QA)

November 25, 2023 — Mirion announced that it will debut the new Instadose VUE personal dosimeter, from its Dosimetry ...

Time November 25, 2023
arrow
News | PET-CT

November 22, 2023 — Siemens Healthineers has announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the ...

Time November 22, 2023
arrow
News | Artificial Intelligence

November 21, 2023 — Heuron, a medical AI (artificial intelligence) imaging software solution company, under the ...

Time November 21, 2023
arrow
News | Breast Imaging

November 21, 2023 —iCAD, Inc., a global medical technology leader in innovative cancer-detection solutions, and CancerIQ ...

Time November 21, 2023
arrow
News | Information Technology

November 21, 2023 — GE HealthCare has received U.S. FDA 510(k) Clearance for the new version of Digital Expert Access ...

Time November 21, 2023
arrow
Subscribe Now