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RET-Targeted Molecular Imaging Probes in Prostate Cancer
Sponsor: Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
Summary
The goal of this observational diagnostic imaging study is to evaluate the value of RET-targeted PET/CT molecular imaging in diagnosing neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) and in assessing disease activity, treatment response, and prognosis. The study population consists of men aged 45-80 years, including approximately 40 patients with suspected or confirmed NEPC (positive group) and approximately 10 patients with conventional prostatic adenocarcinoma (negative control group). The main questions it aims to answer are: Can RET-targeted PET/CT imaging accurately diagnose neuroendocrine prostate cancer, using pathology as the gold standard? Compared with PSMA PET/CT, multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), and serum markers, does RET-targeted PET/CT provide better diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values)? Is the level of RET tracer uptake in lesions associated with disease progression and prognosis, and can it be used for early assessment of treatment response? Researchers will compare RET-PET/CT imaging results against pathology (the primary reference standard), PSMA PET/CT, conventional contrast-enhanced MRI, and serum markers to determine the diagnostic advantage of RET-targeted imaging. Participants will: Sign a written informed consent form; Undergo whole-body PET/CT (and if needed, PET/MRI) imaging with RET- and PSMA-targeted tracers (approximately 0.15 mCi/kg injected intravenously; if a repeat scan is needed due to disease changes, it will be performed at least 1 week apart); Have blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature measured before and after imaging, and liver/kidney function tests and routine blood and urine tests performed one day before and after imaging; Undergo multiparametric MRI (mpMRI); Be followed up, with any clinical symptoms or signs of discomfort during and up to two weeks after imaging recorded in detail.
Key Details
Gender
MALE
Age Range
45 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
50
Start Date
2026-04-03
Completion Date
2027-04-03
Last Updated
2026-10-21
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
RET-targeted PET/CT molecular imaging
Participants receive an intravenous injection of a RET-targeted PET tracer (approximately 0.15 mCi/kg, nanomolar tracer dose, radiochemical purity \>95%) prepared and quality-controlled at the investigators' PET center. After resting in a dark room for 5-10 or 45-60 minutes and voiding, whole-body PET/CT (or PET/MRI for head and spine) imaging is performed with an emission scan time of 10-20 minutes. PET images are reconstructed by OSEM. Two experienced nuclear medicine physicians review the images; a lesion with tracer uptake higher than surrounding or contralateral normal tissue is considered positive, and SUVmax, SUVmean, and lesion size are measured by ROI analysis. If disease changes require a repeat scan, it is performed at least 1 week apart.
PSMA-targeted PET/CT imaging
Participants undergo whole-body PET/CT (or PET/MRI) imaging with a PSMA-targeted tracer (approximately 0.15 mCi/kg injected intravenously) using the same scanner, protocol, image reconstruction, and image analysis procedures as the RET-targeted imaging. PSMA imaging serves as the comparator to evaluate the diagnostic performance of RET-targeted imaging.
Locations (1)
Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
Changsha, Hunan, China