⁶⁸Ga-FAPI Better Than FDG for Detection of Malignancy

Background: It has been recognized that fibroblasts can be associated with the growth of malignancies. These tumor associated fibroblasts express protein not present in normal fibroblasts, called fibroblast activation protein (FAP). Therefore, the use of fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPIs) might help detect and treat malignancies. Objective: To evaluate how FAPIs radiolabeled with 68 Ga would compare with FDG PET for the detection of malignancy. Design: Interim analysis of a prospective trial. Methods: The authors evaluated the data of patients who underwent 68 Ga-FAPI PET between October 2018 and October 2021 at the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University Hospital Essen. Mean maximum standardized uptake values (SUV max ) of the malignant lesions were calculated. 68 Ga-FAPI PET images were compared to FDG PET images when available. Results: 324 patients underwent 68 Ga-FAPI PET imaging between October 2018 and October 2021. The malignancies included sarcomas (40 more...