Preliminary evidence of imaging of chemokine receptor-4-targeted PET/CT with [68Ga]pentixafor in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: comparison to [18F]FDG

Background In order to study the CXCR4 expression with [Ga-68]pentixafor PET in different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, we performed a retrospective study to describe the [Ga-68]pentixafor PET/CT imaging in a spectrum of lymphomas and to compare it with [F-18]FDG PET/CT. Results Twenty-seven patients with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin lymphoma were recruited retrospectively. [Ga-68]pentixafor PET showed increased radioactivity in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (n= 8), marginal zone lymphoma (n= 4), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (n= 3), follicular lymphoma (n= 2), mantle cell lymphoma (n= 1), unclassified indolent B cell lymphoma (n= 3), and enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma (n= 3). However, peripheral T cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (n= 1), and NK/T cell lymphoma (n= 2) were not avid for [Ga-68]pentixafor. In comparison to [F-18]FDG PET, [Ga-68]pentixafor PET demonstrated more extensive disease and higher radioactivity in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. Conclusion CXCR4 expression varies in different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Overexpression of CXCR4 was detected with [Ga-68]pentixafor PET/CT in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, unclassified indolent B cell lymphoma, and enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma. The uptake of [Ga-68]pentixafor was higher than [F-18]FDG in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma.