Using PET-CT imaging to explore new ways of identifying and monitoring endometriosis

REpurposing Positron Emission Tomography Imaging for the Diagnosis and Surveillance of Endometriosis: REPETE Human Pilot

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12626000587303

Acronym

REPETE Human Pilot

Enrollment

Registered

2026-05-11

Start date

2026-04-24

Completion date

2026-10-30

Last updated

2026-05-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Currently, endometriosis is diagnosed by invasive surgery (laparoscopically followed by histopathology), or severe disease may be detected by imaging modalities (ultrasound or MRI). No early, non-invasive diagnostic test exists for endometriosis. This prospective study aims to explore the use of fluoro-17beta-estradiol PET/CT imaging as a potential non-invasive, early diagnostic test for endometriosis relative to surgical/histological outcomes. We hypothesize that PET/CT imaging with fluoro-17beta-estradiol has potential application in the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Interventions

The intervention is a single dose of 1 MBq per kilogram of Fluoro-17beta-estradiol (FES) followed by a 10 minute dynamic PET/CT scan performed using the Siemens Biograph Vision Quadra PET/CT scanner. The PET/CT scan will take place at Melbourne Theranostic Innovation Centre (MTIC). The scan will be done within approx. 3 months prior to surgery. The single dose of FES will be administered intravenously via a cannula by the MTIC staff prior to the PET/CT scan.

Study design

Allocation

Non-randomised trial

Intervention model

Other

Primary purpose

Diagnosis

Masking

Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 45 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patients scheduled to undergo surgery for suspected endometriosis. Aged between 18 – 45 years Clinically suspected of having endometriosis, with pelvic imaging (high quality transvaginal U/S or MRI) suggestive of disease. A prior surgery for endometriosis is not exclusionary, however, the participant must have imaging consistent with current disease in situ. Planned for a laparoscopy (± hysterectomy) to treat endometriosis at Epworth. Patients who are suppressing their menstrual cycle with hormone contraceptives are eligible (with capped recruitment in this group to a maximum of 8 participants).

Exclusion criteria

Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent Inability to comply with protocol Contraindications to PET or CT including allergy to any of the protocol medications Severe claustrophobia not amenable to medical management Malignancy or suspected malignancy History of radiation therapy or exposure to other high amounts of radiation Premenarchal Post-menopausal Pregnant or trying to conceive during the study period Breastfeeding

Outcome results