Table of Contents
What is 18F-FSPG?
18F-FSPG, which stands for (S)-4-(3-[18F]Fluoropropyl)-L-glutamic acid, is a special type of drug used in medical imaging[1]. It’s a derivative of glutamic acid, which is an amino acid naturally found in our bodies. This drug is not used for treatment but for diagnostic purposes, specifically in a type of imaging called Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
Purpose of the Study
The main goal of this clinical trial is to study how well 18F-FSPG PET imaging works in patients with ovarian cancer[1]. Researchers want to see if this imaging technique can help:
- Find and diagnose ovarian cancer more effectively
- Determine how far the cancer has spread in the body
- Guide decisions about surgery or other treatments
This study is important because it could lead to better ways of detecting and managing ovarian cancer, potentially improving outcomes for patients.
Conditions Studied
The study focuses on various stages and types of cancer, including[1]:
- Ovarian Cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, which are part of the female reproductive system.
- Fallopian Tube Cancer: Cancer that starts in the fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus.
- Primary Peritoneal Cancer: A rare cancer that develops in the peritoneum, the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen.
The study includes patients with these cancers at various stages, from Stage IIIA to Stage IV. These stages indicate how far the cancer has spread, with Stage IV being the most advanced.
Study Procedure
Patients participating in this study will undergo the following procedure[1]:
- Receive an injection of 18F-FSPG
- Undergo PET imaging scans at different time intervals:
- 0-45 minutes after injection
- 60-75 minutes after injection
- 105-120 minutes after injection
- The imaging is done either:
- Within 4 weeks before surgery (for some patients)
- Within 4 weeks of standard-of-care imaging at diagnosis and before further treatment (for other patients)
This procedure allows researchers to see how the 18F-FSPG is taken up by cancer cells over time, potentially providing valuable information about the cancer’s location and extent.
Outcomes Measured
The study will measure several outcomes to determine how effective 18F-FSPG PET imaging is[1]:
- Standard Uptake Values (SUV): This measures how much of the 18F-FSPG is absorbed by cancer lesions compared to normal tissue.
- Number of Lesions Detected: Researchers will count how many cancer lesions the 18F-FSPG PET scan can identify.
- Changes in Lesions After Treatment: For some patients, the study will look at how the number of detectable lesions changes after chemotherapy treatment.
- Comparison with Tissue Analysis: The imaging results will be compared with actual tissue samples (biopsies) to see how accurate the PET scans are.
- Impact on Treatment Decisions: The study will assess whether the 18F-FSPG PET imaging changes decisions about surgery or affects how doctors evaluate a patient’s response to chemotherapy.
These measurements will help determine if 18F-FSPG PET imaging is a useful tool for diagnosing and managing ovarian cancer, potentially leading to better care for patients in the future.
