[18F] Fluorodopa PET imaging in glioma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
[18F] Fluorodopa PET imaging in glioma: feasibility study for PET guided brain biopsy
IRAS ID
272494
Contact name
Geoffrey Higgins
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2020/10/39 , UCL Data Protection Registration Number
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 30 days
Research summary
Survival trends for glioma (a brain cancer of unmet need) have not significantly changed for decades. The distinction between high grade (HGG) and low grade glioma (LGG) is important as both confer different prognoses and management strategies. This distinction is normally made on biopsy sampling and conventional imaging. However, sampling errors are not uncommon - case series have described under-grading of gliomas on biopsy in 28% to 63% of cases. Furthermore, up to one third of high grade gliomas may not display typical imaging characteristics. Therefore, more accurate imaging may help to better guide biopsy and clinical management decisions at the outset.
The most frequently used amino acid PET tracers are 11C-methionine, 18F-ethyltyrosine and 18F-DOPA, which are transported by LAT1, a high affinity leucine (a type of amino acid) transporter. Alongside depiction of tumour volume, described roles of amino acid PET include differentiation of true disease progression from pseudo progression, and detection of residual disease in the post-surgical patient, biopsy guidance and prognostication [5].
The primary objective of the study will be to establish the feasibility of performing [18F]fluorodopa PET guided histopathology in a single and multi-site setting. We will also correlate the PET findings with the patient’s standard care MRI and research MRI sequences, and characterise the underlying tumour biology in areas of glioma with differential 18F-fluorodopa uptake, to serve as a knowledge base to inform future applications.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0258
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion