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Fluoroethyltyrosine F-18

This article discusses a clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of Fluoroethyltyrosine F-18 (FET) PET scans with Fluciclovine-18F (FACBC) PET scans in diagnosing and evaluating brain tumors. The study aims to assess the agreement between these two imaging techniques in patients with newly diagnosed cerebral gliomas, recurrent cerebral gliomas, and brain metastases. This research could potentially improve the accuracy of brain tumor diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Table of Contents

What is FLUOROETHYLTYROSINE F-18?

FLUOROETHYLTYROSINE F-18, also known as FET, is a diagnostic tool used in medical imaging[1]. It is a radioactive tracer used in a type of imaging test called PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan. This substance is specifically designed to help doctors visualize and assess brain tumors more accurately.

Medical Conditions

FET is used to diagnose and monitor several types of brain conditions[1]:

  • Newly diagnosed cerebral gliomas: These are tumors that start in the glial cells of the brain, which support and protect nerve cells.
  • Recurrent cerebral gliomas: This refers to gliomas that have come back after initial treatment.
  • Brain metastases: These are cancer cells that have spread to the brain from primary tumors in other parts of the body.

How It Works

FLUOROETHYLTYROSINE F-18 works by accumulating in brain tumor cells more than in normal brain tissue[1]. When a patient undergoes a FET-PET scan:

  1. The radioactive tracer is injected into the patient’s bloodstream.
  2. The tracer travels to the brain and concentrates in tumor cells.
  3. A special camera detects the radioactive signals from the tracer.
  4. Computers create detailed 3D images of the brain, showing where the tracer has accumulated.

This process helps doctors to see the size, location, and activity of brain tumors more clearly than with standard imaging techniques.

Administration

FLUOROETHYLTYROSINE F-18 is given as an intravenous injection, which means it’s injected directly into a vein[1]. The maximum daily dose is 185 MBq (megabecquerels), which is a unit used to measure radioactivity. The total maximum dose for the entire treatment period is 222 MBq.

Comparison with Other Diagnostic Tools

A current study is comparing FET-PET scans with another type of PET scan that uses a tracer called Fluciclovine-18F (also known as FACBC)[1]. This comparison aims to determine which tracer is more effective in diagnosing and monitoring brain tumors. The study is looking at factors such as:

  • Agreement on tumor size and tracer distribution
  • Correlation of tumor-to-brain ratios
  • Ability to differentiate between tumor progression and treatment-related changes
  • Time-to-peak and slope of time-activity curves in different types of brain tumors

Eligibility for the Study

To participate in the study comparing FET and FACBC, patients must meet certain criteria[1]:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have the mental and physical ability to understand and comply with the study requirements
  • Have decision-making capacity and be able to give informed consent
  • Be referred for a FET-PET scan of the brain by their treating physician
  • Have a suspected glioma before biopsy or surgery, or suspected tumor recurrence after previous treatment for cerebral glioma or brain metastasis

Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have uncontrolled epilepsy, or are unable to lie still for 40 minutes are not eligible for the study.

Study Objectives

The main objectives of the current study involving FLUOROETHYLTYROSINE F-18 are[1]:

  1. To assess the agreement between FET-PET and FACBC-PET in terms of tumor size and tracer distribution.
  2. To determine the correlation of tumor-to-brain ratios in FET and FACBC PET scans.
  3. To compare the accuracy of FET and FACBC PET in differentiating tumor progression from treatment-related changes in recurrent gliomas and brain metastases.
  4. To analyze differences in time-to-peak and slope of time-activity curves between FET and FACBC uptake in high-grade and low-grade gliomas, as well as in tumor progression and treatment-related changes.

These objectives aim to provide valuable information about the effectiveness of FLUOROETHYLTYROSINE F-18 as a diagnostic tool for brain tumors, potentially improving the accuracy of diagnosis and monitoring of these conditions.

Aspect Details
Study Type Phase II / Category 2 clinical trial
Main Objective Compare tumor size and tracer distribution in FET PET and FACBC PET scans
Patient Population Adults with newly diagnosed or recurrent cerebral gliomas and brain metastases
Primary Endpoint Agreement of diagnosis based on tumor size and tracer distribution in FET and FACBC PET scans
Secondary Objectives Correlation of tumor-to-brain ratios, comparison of Time-to-peak and slope of time-activity curves, accuracy in differentiating tumor progression from treatment-related changes
Drug Information Fluoroethyltyrosine F-18 (FET), solution for injection, maximum daily dose 185 MBq
Administration Route Intravenous injection

FAQ

  • What is the main purpose of this clinical trial? The main purpose of this trial is to compare the effectiveness of Fluoroethyltyrosine F-18 (FET) PET scans with Fluciclovine-18F (FACBC) PET scans in assessing tumor size and tracer distribution in patients with brain tumors.
  • Who can participate in this study? Participants must be at least 18 years old, mentally and physically able to understand the study, have decision-making capacity, and either have a suspected glioma before biopsy or surgery, or suspected tumor recurrence after previous treatment for cerebral glioma or brain metastasis.
  • What does the study procedure involve? Patients will receive both a FET-PET scan and a FACBC-PET scan, with the order of the scans varying between participants. The scans will be used to compare tumor size and tracer distribution in the brain.
  • What are the potential benefits of this research? This study may lead to improved accuracy in diagnosing brain tumors, differentiating between tumor progression and treatment-related changes, and potentially enhancing the monitoring of brain tumor treatments.
  • Are there any risks associated with participating in this trial? While specific risks are not mentioned in the provided information, PET scans involve exposure to small amounts of radiation. The study excludes pregnant or breastfeeding women and those unable to lie still for 40 minutes, which suggests these could be potential concerns.

Ongoing Clinical Trials on Fluoroethyltyrosine F-18

  • Study on Using [18F]FET PET-MRI to Improve Detection of Pituitary Adenomas in Patients with Cushing’s Disease

    Not yet recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Investigated drugs:
    The Netherlands

  • Study Comparing Fluciclovine (18F) and Fluoroethyltyrosine F-18 PET Scans in Patients with New or Recurrent Brain Tumors and Brain Metastases

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Investigated drugs:
    Germany

Glossary

  • PET scan: Positron Emission Tomography scan, an imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to show how organs and tissues are functioning.
  • Fluoroethyltyrosine F-18 (FET): A radioactive tracer used in PET scans to help visualize and evaluate brain tumors.
  • Fluciclovine-18F (FACBC): Another type of radioactive tracer used in PET scans for imaging tumors.
  • Glioma: A type of tumor that occurs in the brain and spinal cord, starting in the glial cells that surround and support nerve cells.
  • Brain metastases: Cancer that has spread to the brain from another location in the body.
  • Tumor-to-brain ratio: A measurement comparing the uptake of the radioactive tracer in the tumor compared to normal brain tissue.
  • Time-to-peak (TTP): The time it takes for the radioactive tracer to reach its highest concentration in the tissue being examined.
  • Time-activity curve (TAC): A graph showing how the concentration of the radioactive tracer changes over time in a specific area of the body.
  • Tumor progression (TP): The growth or spread of a tumor over time.
  • Treatment related changes (TRC): Changes in the brain that occur as a result of cancer treatments, which can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from tumor progression.

References

  1. http://clinicaltrials.eu/trial/study-comparing-fluciclovine-18f-and-fluoroethyltyrosine-f-18-pet-scans-in-patients-with-new-or-recurrent-brain-tumors-and-brain-metastases/