Purpose: Quinoline-based ligands targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts have emerged as promising radiopharmaceuticals in different tumor entities. The aim of this retrospective study was to explore the potential of FAPI-PET/CT in the initial staging of esophageal cancer patients and its usefulness in radiotherapy planning as a first clinical analysis.
Methods: Seven patients with treatment-naive esophageal cancer underwent FAPI-PET/CT. Tracer uptake was quantified by standardized uptake values (SUV)max and (SUV)mean. Six patients received definitive and one neoadjuvant (chemo)radiation therapy. Endo-esophageal clipping, the gold standard to define tumor margins not delineable per CT, was performed in three patients.
Results: Primary tumors demonstrated high FAPI uptake with a median SUVmax of 17.2. Excellent tumor-to-background ratios resulted in accurate target volume delineation and were found in perfect match with clipping. Detection of regional lymph node metastases facilitated the use of simultaneous integrated boost radiotherapy plans for these patients.
Conclusion: FAPI-PET/CT may be beneficial for the management of esophageal cancer particularly in planning radiotherapy, but further research is necessary to increase patient number and statistical reliability.
Keywords: Esophageal cancer; FAPI; Fibroblast activation protein; Oncological management; PET.