68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT for Detection of Chemokine Receptor CXCR4 Expression in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is an attractive target for cancer diagnosis and treatment, as it is overexpressed in many solid and hematologic malignancies. This study investigated the feasibility of CXCR4-directed imaging with PET/CT using Ga-68-pentixafor to visualize and quantify disease involvement in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Methods: Twelve patients with MPNs (4 with primary myelofibrosis, 6 with essential thrombocythemia, and 2 with polycythemia vera) and 5 controls underwent Ga-68-pentixafor PET/CT. Imaging findings were compared with immunohistochemical stainings, laboratory data, and splenic volume. Results: Ga-68-pentixafor PET/ CT was visually positive in 12 of 12 patients, and CXCR4 target specificity could be confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. A significantly higher tracer uptake could be detected in the bone marrow of MPN patients (SUVmean, 6.45 +/- 2.34 vs. 4.44 +/- 1.24). Dynamic changes in CXCR4 expression determined by Ga-68-pentixafor PET/CT corresponded with treatment response. Conclusion: Ga-68-pentixafor PET/CT represents a novel diagnostic tool to noninvasively detect and quantify the extent of disease involvement in MPNs.

Automated summary

This study investigated the feasibility of CXCR4-directed imaging with Ga-68-pentixafor PET/CT in MPNs. The results showed that this method can noninvasively detect and quantify the extent of disease involvement in MPNs, and the dynamic changes in CXCR4 expression corresponded with treatment response.