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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

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01-05-2021 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Original Article

Imaging fibroblast activation protein in liver cancer: a single-center post hoc retrospective analysis to compare [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT versus MRI and [¹⁸F]-FDG PET/CT

Authors: Wei Guo, Yizhen Pang, Lanlin Yao, Liang Zhao, Chunlei Fan, Jingpeng Ke, Ping Guo, Bing Hao, Hao Fu, Chengrong Xie, Qin Lin, Hua Wu, Long Sun, Haojun Chen

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 5/2021

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the potential utility of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT for diagnosing primary and metastatic lesions in patients with liver cancer, as well as to compare it with contrast-enhanced CT (CE-CT), liver MRI, and [¹⁸F]-FDG PET/CT.

Methods

We performed a single-center post hoc retrospective analysis of data obtained from a prospective parent study (NCT04416165). This study included 34 patients diagnosed with or suspected hepatic lesions who underwent concomitant [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [¹⁸F]-FDG/CT scans. Moreover, these patients underwent liver MRI (n = 34) and CE-CT (n = 25). Histopathologic (n = 62) or radiographic follow-up (n = 128) served as the reference standard for the final diagnosis.

Results

Among the 34 patients, 20, 12, and 2 patients presented with hepatocellular carcinomas, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, and benign hepatic nodules, respectively. The sensitivities of CE-CT, MRI, [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-FAPI-04, and [¹⁸F]-FDG/CT for detecting primary liver tumors were 96%, 100%, 96%, and 65%, respectively. Regarding the diagnosis of all intrahepatic lesions, the per-lesion detection rate of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT was slightly lower than that of MRI (85% vs. 100%, P = 0.34) and significantly higher than that of [¹⁸F]-FDG PET/CT (85% vs. 52%, P < 0.001). Regarding the diagnosis of all malignant lesions (including extrahepatic disease), the tumor detection rate of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT was 87.4%, which was significantly higher than that of [¹⁸F]-FDG PET/CT (65.0%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the sensitivity of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT to correctly identify primary liver tumors and metastatic lesions is equivalent to that of CE-CT and liver MRI. Moreover, [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT is better at identifying liver lesions than [¹⁸F]-FDG PET/CT, and its use may improve tumor staging, recurrence detection, and implementation of necessary treatment modifications.

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Title: Imaging fibroblast activation protein in liver cancer: a single-center post hoc retrospective analysis to compare [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT versus MRI and [18F]-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Wei Guo
Yizhen Pang
Lanlin Yao
Liang Zhao
Chunlei Fan
Jingpeng Ke
Ping Guo
Bing Hao
Hao Fu
Chengrong Xie
Qin Lin
Hua Wu
Long Sun
Haojun Chen
Publication date: 01-05-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Computed Tomography
Computed Tomography
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 5/2021
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-020-05095-0

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Imaging fibroblast activation protein in liver cancer: a single-center post hoc retrospective analysis to compare [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT versus MRI and [¹⁸F]-FDG PET/CT

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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