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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Published in:

01-01-2015 | Short Communication

⁶⁸Ga-DOTA⁰-Tyr³-octreotide positron emission tomography in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Authors: Volker H. Schartinger, József Dudás, Christoph Url, Susanne Reinold, Irene J. Virgolini, Alexander Kroiss, Herbert Riechelmann, Christian Uprimny

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Purpose

PET/CT with ⁶⁸Ga-labelled [DOTA⁰,Tyr³]-octreotide (⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-TOC PET/CT) is a routinely used imaging modality for neuroendocrine tumours expressing somatostatin receptors (SSTR). Recent studies have shown SSTR expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, albeit lower than in highly differentiated neuroendocrine tumours. We sought to determine whether nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a rare subtype of head and neck cancer, shows increased ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-TOC uptake indicating expression of SSTR.

Methods

Five patients with untreated, histologically proven EBV-positive NPC were referred for ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-TOC PET/CT. Tracer uptake in tumour lesions was assessed visually and semiquantitatively measuring maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) and tumour to background ratios.

Results

Increased tumour-specific uptake was detected in all five patients with a median SUVmax of 10.6 (range 3.6 – 17.1) in the primary tumour and 13.2 (range 6.1 – 14.5) in cervical lymph node metastases.

Conclusion

⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-TOC PET/CT demonstrated tracer uptake in EBV-positive NPC comparable to that in highly differentiated neuroendocrine tumours. This observation is consistent with increased SSTR expression in EBV-positive NPC and may open new diagnostic and therapeutic windows in NPC.

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Title: 68Ga-DOTA0-Tyr3-octreotide positron emission tomography in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Volker H. Schartinger
József Dudás
Christoph Url
Susanne Reinold
Irene J. Virgolini
Alexander Kroiss
Herbert Riechelmann
Christian Uprimny
Publication date: 01-01-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-014-2905-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

⁶⁸Ga-DOTA⁰-Tyr³-octreotide positron emission tomography in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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