Gene transcript analysis blood values correlate with 68Ga-DOTA-somatostatin analog (SSA) PET/CT imaging in neuroendocrine tumors and can define disease status

Abstract

(68)Ga-SSA PET imaging parameters (SUVmax) correlated with a circulating NET transcript signature. Disease status could be predicted by an elevated quotient of gene expression (MORF4L2) and SUVmax. These observations provide the basis for further exploration of strategies that combine imaging parameters and disease-specific molecular data for the improvement of NET management.

Clinical Translation of a Click-Labeled 18F-Octreotate Radioligand for Imaging Neuroendocrine Tumors

“…¶ Urinary bladder mean residence time is for 2-h voiding model. between imaging and biomarkers has also been highlighted in other studies (28,29) and suggests that additional multianalyte biomarkers such as circulating NET gene transcripts should be considered in the future (30).…”

Adding variables to complexity. Molecular imaging and molecular biology: a no-longer-secret liaison in NETs

“…However, a possible limitation of these studies is that the data on molecular features used for the correlation refer to the tumour tissue, which represents a static picture of the disease at the time of surgery and may be insufficient to predict disease evolution. In this regard the work by Bodei and colleagues is novel because the NET fingerprint analysed and correlated with the imaging parameters is a panel of blood circulating transcripts [1]. The monitoring of tumour-specific markers in the blood holds promise for a more dynamic and reliable approach to following disease progression, and increases the possibility of adding prognostic value to the molecular imaging analysis.…”

“…In their work, Bodei and colleagues evaluated the concordance between the 68 Ga-SSA-PET and the expression of a panel of 51 blood circulating RNA transcripts (NETest) previously established as having high sensitivity and specificity in identifying NETs. They found that imaging parameters (including SUVmax) correlate well with the levels in the blood of some of the NET fingerprint genes and that the combination of imaging with the measurement of some of these blood biomarkers may help to better differentiate progressive from stable diseases [1].…”

“…Researchers and clinicians are working together to develop more reproducible prognostic factors and markers of response to therapy and recurrence. Within this context, the work by Bodei et al develops new and interesting perspectives [1].Cancer is a multifactorial disease whose development and progression are affected by intrinsic genetic and molecular features, by the host environment and by their reciprocal interplay. In this regard, cancer may be considered as a nonlinear, open, and intrinsically dynamic system of interconnected and mutually dependent components.…”

“…Researchers and clinicians are working together to develop more reproducible prognostic factors and markers of response to therapy and recurrence. Within this context, the work by Bodei et al develops new and interesting perspectives [1].…”