Repetitive Early (68)Ga-FAPI PET Acquisition Comparing (68)Ga-FAPI-02, (68)Ga-FAPI-46, and (68)Ga-FAPI-74: Methodologic and Diagnostic Implications for Malignant, Inflammatory/Reactive, and Degenerative Lesions

(68)Ga-labeled fibroblast activation protein (FAP) inhibitor ((68)Ga-FAPI) PET targets (68)Ga-FAPI-positive activated fibroblasts and is a promising imaging technique for various types of cancer and nonmalignant pathologies. However, discrimination between malignant and nonmalignant (68)Ga-FAPI-positive lesions based on static PET with a single acquisition time point can be challenging. Additionally, the optimal imaging time point for (68)Ga-FAPI PET has not been identified yet, and different (68)Ga-FAPI tracer variants are currently used. In this retrospective analysis, we evaluate the diagnostic value of repetitive early (68)Ga-FAPI PET with (68)Ga-FAPI-02, (68)Ga-FAPI-46, and (68)Ga-FAPI-74 for malignant, inflammatory/reactive, and degenerative lesions and describe the implications for future (68)Ga-FAPI imaging protocols. Methods: Whole-body PET scans of 24 cancer patients were acquired at 10, 22, 34, 46, and 58 min after the administration of 150-250 MBq of (68)Ga-FAPI tracer molecules (8 patients each for (68)Ga-FAPI-02, (68)Ga-FAPI-46, and (68)Ga-FAPI-74). Detection rates and SUVs (SUV(max) and SUV(mean)) for healthy tissues, cancer manifestations, and nonmalignant lesions were measured, and target-to-background ratios (TBR) versus blood and fat were calculated for all acquisition time points. Results: For most healthy tissues except fat and spinal canal, biodistribution analysis showed decreasing uptake over time. We analyzed 134 malignant, inflammatory/reactive, and degenerative lesions. Detection rates were minimally reduced for the first 2 acquisition time points and remained at a constant high level from 34 to 58 min after injection. The uptake of all 3 variants was higher in malignant and inflammatory/reactive lesions than in degenerative lesions. (68)Ga-FAPI-46 showed the highest uptake and TBRs in all pathologies. For all variants, TBRs versus blood constantly increased over time for all pathologies, and TBRs versus fat were constant or decreased slightly. Conclusion: (68)Ga-FAPI PET/CT is a promising imaging modality for malignancies and benign lesions. Repetitive early PET acquisition added diagnostic value for the discrimination of malignant from nonmalignant (68)Ga-FAPI-positive lesions. High detection rates and TBRs over time confirmed that PET acquisition earlier than 60 min after injection delivers high-contrast images. Additionally, considering clinical feasibility, acquisition at 30-40 min after injection might be a reasonable compromise. Different (68)Ga-FAPI variants show significant differences in time-dependent biodistributional behavior and should be selected carefully depending on the clinical setting.

• Glatting, F. M.
• Hoppner, J.
• Liew, D. P.
• van Genabith, A.
• Spektor, A. M.
• Steinbach, L.
• Hubert, A.
• Kratochwil, C.
• Giesel, F. L.
• Dendl, K.
• Rathke, H.
• Kauczor, H. U.
• Huber, P. E.
• Haberkorn, U.
• Röhrich, M.