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Exploring the Application Value of PET Molecular Imaging Targeting FAP in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Exploring the Application Value of PET Molecular Imaging Targeting FAP in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05030597
Acronym
FAPI-OSCC
Enrollment
100
Registered
2021-09-01
Start date
2021-09-15
Completion date
2025-12-31
Last updated
2025-05-28

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

Conditions

FAPI, Oral Cancer, PET/CT

Brief summary

In this prospective study, the investigators will use integrated PET/CT with the agent 68Ga-FAPI and conventional imaging agent 18F-FDG to explore the application value of FAP-targeted molecular imaging in the diagnosis and staging for oral cancer. This study also aims to explore the application value of FAPI imaging in evaluating treatment response for oral cancer.

Detailed description

Positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging provides a valuable method for the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and staging of various tumors. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main components of tumor stroma, which are involved in tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and tumor angiogenesis, and play an important role in the occurrence and development of tumors. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is the most potential specific molecular marker of CAF, which is mainly expressed in stromal fibroblasts of epithelial tumors and is a potential molecular target for tumor diagnosis and treatment. Oral cancer is the most common type of malignant head and neck cancer, seriously endangering human health. Accurate delineation of the primary tumor, detection of regional nodal metastases, distant metastases and second primary tumors are important for determining the therapeutic strategy and prognosis of oral cancer. Currently, the molecular imaging agent most commonly used in clinical practice for oral cancer is 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (18F-FDG). However, 18F-FDG exhibits some shortages. Inflammatory lesions and the surrounding normal tissue such as brain, tonsils and salivary glands show high uptake of 18F-FDG, often affecting the judgment of lesions. Adult patients aged \>18 years with clinically confirmed or highly suspected oral cancer will be enrolled. Participants receive paired baseline FDG and FAPI PET/CT to explore the diagnostic and staging value of FAPI PET in oral cancer. For resectable locally advanced cases receiving neoadjuvant therapy from oral and maxillofacial clinicians, a follow-up FAPI PET imaging will be performed after two cycles of treatment and before surgery to evaluate its application in treatment-response assessment. Ultimately, this study aims to comprehensively evaluate the clinical utility of FAPI PET/CT in oral cancer.

Interventions

Intravenous access is pre-established. Quality control is carried out to confirm the radiochemical purity of 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI by HPLC. Intravenous administration of 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI according to 1.85-3.7 MBq/kg body weight (0.05-0.1 mCi/kg), rinsed with 0.9% saline, and hydrated after drinking more water.

DEVICEPET/CT

Each subject undergoes PET/CT imaging within 20-30 minutes after injection.

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTParticipants receive baseline paired FDG and FAPI PET/CT. For resectable locally advanced cases receiving neoadjuvant therapy undergo follow-up FAPI PET imaging.

This observational study evaluates the application of paired FDG and FAPI PET/CT in oral cancer. 1. Baseline phase: All participants undergo baseline FDG and FAPI PET/CT scans. 2. Post-neoadjuvant phase: For patients with resectable locally advanced disease receiving neoadjuvant therapy (as per clinician decision), a second FAPI PET/CT scan is performed after 2 cycles of treatment to assess treatment response. 3. Purpose: To explore the utility of FAPI PET in (a) initial staging, (b) treatment response evaluation, and (c) prognostic value in oral cancer.

Sponsors

Zhongnan Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Voluntary participation with signed informed consent; 2. Aged 18\ 70 years; 3. Clinically highly suspected oral cancer and recurrence after treatment (Newly diagnosed patients: Scheduled for surgery or neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery); 4. Ability to complete baseline and follow-up PET/CT (Follow-up FAPI PET/CT applies only to locally advanced patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy.).

Exclusion criteria

1. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women planning pregnancy during the trial period; 2. Known hypersensitivity to FAPI, FDG, or their components, or history of severe allergic reactions; 3. People with poor general condition, their heart, lung, liver, kidney and other important organ functions cannot tolerate surgery; 4. Before the injection of 18F-FDG, the fasting blood glucose level exceeded 11.0 mmol/L; 5. Claustrophobia or inability to tolerate PET/CT imaging (Those who cannot tolerate lying supine for 15\ 30 minutes.); 6. Participation in another interventional clinical trial within 30 days prior to enrollment, or planned participation during this study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy) and staging of FAPI PET in oral cancerBaseline (at initial diagnosis, prior to treatment)Comparison of FAPI PET and FDG PET in diagnosing oral cancer, including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and TNM staging. Assessments performed at baseline using histopathology and imaging as reference standards.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
FAPI PET for therapeutic response evaluationAfter completion of 2nd cycle of neoadjuvant therapy, just prior to surgeryAssessment of FAPI PET parameters for predicting treatment response in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy. Follow-up FAPI PET performed post-treatment.
Prognostic value of FAPI PET parameters in oral cancerThrough study completion, an average of 1 yearCorrelation between FAPI PET parameters and long-term outcomes (e.g., progression-free survival, overall survival).
Correlation between FAPI PET parameters and histopathological biomarkersAt baseline and 6 weeks post-FAPI PET scanCorrelation between FAPI PET parameters (SUVmax/SUVmean/SUVpeak) and histopathological biomarkers of tumor tissue. 1. FAP expression level (H-score; immunohistochemistry) 2. PD-L1 expression (Combined Positive Score; Dako 22C3 IHC assay) 3. CD8 expression (H-score; immunohistochemistry) 4. Granzyme B expression (H-score; immunohistochemistry)

Countries

China

Contacts

Primary ContactJiang Yaqun, PhD
zn004239@whu.edu.cn0086-027-67812698
Backup ContactHe Yong, PhD
vincentheyong@163.com0086-027-67812698

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026