Healthy tissue uptake of (68)Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen, (18)F-DCFPyL, (18)F-fluoromethylcholine, and (18)F-dihydrotestosterone Journal Article


Authors: Jansen, B. H. E.; Kramer, G. M.; Cysouw, M. C. F.; Yaqub, M. M.; de Keizer, B.; Lavalaye, J.; Booij, J.; Vargas, H. A.; Morris, M. J.; Vis, A. N.; van Moorselaar, R. J. A.; Hoekstra, O. S.; Boellaard, R.; Oprea-Lager, D. E.
Article Title: Healthy tissue uptake of (68)Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen, (18)F-DCFPyL, (18)F-fluoromethylcholine, and (18)F-dihydrotestosterone
Abstract: PET is increasingly used for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnostics. Important PCa radiotracers include 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen HBED-CC (68Ga-PSMA), 18F-DCFPyL, 18F-fluoromethylcholine (18F-FCH), and 18F-dihydrotestosterone (18F-FDHT). Knowledge on the variability of tracer uptake in healthy tissues is important for accurate PET interpretation, because malignancy is suspected only if the uptake of a lesion contrasts with its background. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify uptake variability of PCa tracers in healthy tissues and identify stable reference regions for PET interpretation. Methods: A total of 232 PCa PET/CT scans from multiple hospitals was analyzed, including 87 68Ga-PSMA scans, 50 18F-DCFPyL scans, 68 18F-FCH scans, and 27 18F-FDHT scans. Tracer uptake was assessed in the blood pool, lung, liver, bone marrow, and muscle using several SUVs (SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVpeak). Variability in uptake between patients was analyzed using the coefficient of variation (COV%). For all tracers, SUV reference ranges (95th percentiles) were calculated, which could be applicable as image-based quality control for future PET acquisitions. Results: For 68Ga-PSMA, the lowest uptake variability was observed in the blood pool (COV, 19.9%), which was significantly more stable than all other tissues (COV, 29.8%-35.2%; P = 0.001-0.024). For 18F-DCFPyL, the lowest variability was observed in the blood pool and liver (COV, 14.4% and 21.7%, respectively; P = 0.001-0.003). The least variable 18F-FCH uptake was observed in the liver, blood pool, and bone marrow (COV, 16.8%-24.2%; P = 0.001-0.012). For 18F-FDHT, low uptake variability was observed in all tissues, except the lung (COV, 14.6%-23.6%; P = 0.001-0.040). The different SUV types had limited effect on variability (COVs within 3 percentage points). Conclusion: In this multicenter analysis, healthy tissues with limited uptake variability were identified, which may serve as reference regions for PCa PET interpretation. These reference regions include the blood pool for 68Ga-PSMA and 18F-DCFPyL and the liver for 18F-FCH and 18F-FDHT. Healthy tissue SUV reference ranges are presented and applicable as image-based quality control. © 2019 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.
Keywords: prostate cancer; psma; healthy tissue; pet interpretation
Journal Title: Journal of Nuclear Medicine
Volume: 60
Issue: 8
ISSN: 0161-5505
Publisher: Society of Nuclear Medicine  
Date Published: 2019-09-01
Start Page: 1111
End Page: 1117
Language: English
DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.118.222505
PUBMED: 30630941
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC6910637
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 4 September 2019 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Michael Morris
    577 Morris