Paper of the Month June 2019

This month:

FAPI-PET/CT: Mean intensity of tracer-uptake (SUV) in 28 different kinds of cancer.
First experience with a new F18-labeled PET tracer for cancer imaging, called FAPI PET/CT developed  by the Heidelberg group. The same group (Uwe haberkorn) was also at the basis of the succesful development of the Ga68 and F18-labeled PSMA-ligands for prostate cancer imaging (and therapy later on).

In contrast to FDG (imaging of glycolysis of tumor and stroma) the FAPI is specifically directed against cancer associated fibroblasts present in the stroma of the cancer (stroma imaging).

The article describes some first exploratory findings in 28 different cancers. Sensitivity seems promising with relatively high tumor-to-background ratios. However, the paper does not provide scientific data on sensitivity (no reference imaging performed), nor on false-positives results, a question that remains unanswered for the moment. What about uptake in chronic inflammation or wound healing ?

The high tumor uptake together with low uptake in the critical organs (bone marrow / kidneys / liver) makes it a perfect candidate as a theranostic agent, with molecular radiotherapy using FAPI labeled with I131 or Lu177.

Again, exciting news, with potential major impact on our future nuclear medicine practices.

If one day a Nobel price would go to Nuclear Medicine, Uwe Haberkorn would certainly deserves it. Enjoy the reading.

your BELNUC Board