Characterization of Neuroblastic Tumors Using ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET

In Vivo Biodistribution of No-Carrier-Added 6-18F-Fluoro-3,4-Dihydroxy-l-Phenylalanine (18F-DOPA), Produced by a New Nucleophilic Substitution Approach, Compared with Carrier-Added 18F-DOPA, Prepared by Conventional Electrophilic Substitution

“…The expression of AADC is increased in most tumors of neuroendocrine origin as well (4,20,21). The application of carbidopa (inhibitor of AADC) showed a modest decline in uptake for 18 F-DOPA-L, compared with 18 F-DOPA-H, at early time points (5-30 min).…”

“…18 F-DOPA has been shown to be a good tracer for welldifferentiated neuroendocrine tumors originating from the gastrointestinal tract (1)(2)(3). In addition, 18 F-DOPA has also been shown to be a good tracer for other types of neuroendocrine tumors, such as neuroblastoma (4), medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and paraganglioma (1), and for malignancies of the central nervous system (5). Finally, imaging dopamine metabolism in the central nervous system with 18 F-DOPA is an effective means to determine the extent of degeneration of presynaptic dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson disease (6).…”

Potential role of 18F-DOPA PET in neuroblastoma

“…Two studies have directly compared the diagnostic role of 18 F-DOPA-PET/CT with that of 123 I-mIBG scintigraphy in NB [18,25]. These two studies are quite heterogeneous in terms of study design, tumor lesions and patients included, as well as in terms of imaging modality utilised.…”

Could 68Ga-somatostatin analogues be an important alternative to 18F-DOPA PET/CT in pediatrics?

“…A growing body of evidence supports the role of fluorine-18 dihydroxyphenylalanine ( 18 F-DOPA) PET/CT in different types of pediatric diseases [1][2][3][4]. Although, this radiotracer remains not largely available, its routine use is increasing in clinical practice, and it should be considered as an important diagnostic option in those Nuclear Medicine Departments highly specialized in pediatrics.…”