Application of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT for Thymoma

Chemokine receptor CXCR4 was expressed in T cells and CXCR4-targeting molecular imaging- 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT could be a promising technique to evaluate the extent of thymoma with higher accuracy. This prospective study is going to investigate whether metabolic characterization by 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT may be superior for diagnosis, distinguish evaluation for thymoma.

Thymoma is 1 rare type of tumor developed on the thymic epithelium; patients with thymoma also might have myasthenia gravis (MG). Because of the scarcity and complexity of MG-associated thymoma, its pathogenesis and etiology still remain unclear nowadays. The expression of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is absent or low in most healthy tissues but highly expressed in various types of tumors. CXCR4 might contribute to the clinical cancer progression, and CXCR4 could be a valuable prognostic biomarker in the therapy of MG-associated thymoma.

Intravenous injection of one dosage of 74-185 MBq(2-5 mCi) 68Ga-Pentixafor. Tracer doses of 68Ga- Pentixafor will be used to image lesions of thymoma by PET/CT.

SUVsof focal lesions are measured on 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT. The SUVs of the blood pool and muscle are defined as the background activity on the condition that there is no focally hypermetabolic disease.

Diagnostic value of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT for thymoma in comparison with 18F-FDG PET/CT or CT or MRI.

Inclusion Criteria: suspected or confirmed untreated thymoma patients signed written consent. Exclusion Criteria: pregnancy breastfeeding known allergy against Pentixafor any medical condition that in the opinion of the investigator,may significantly interfere with study compliance.

Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College

Peking Union Medical College Hospitall, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College