Evaluating Multitracer 18F-Fluciclovine and 18F-FDG PET/CT and 7 Tesla MRI for the Imaging of Treatment Naive or Recurrent Glioblastoma
This phase I trial compares 18F-fluciclovine positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) to 18F-FDG PET/CT and 7 tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the imaging of the brain in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) that has not been treated (treatment naive) or that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent). PET/CT is an imaging technique that utilizes PET and CT in a single machine. PET is an established imaging technique that utilizes small amounts of radioactivity attached to very minimal amounts of tracer, in the case of this research, 18F-fluciclovine and 18F-FDG. 18F-fluciclovine shows how much amino acid the tumor is taking up, while 18F-FDG shows how much glucose the tumor is taking up. Because tumor cells often use more amino acid and glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find tumor cells in the body. CT utilizes x-rays that traverse the body from the outside. The CT images provide an exact outline of organs and potential inflammatory tissue where it occurs in patient’s body. MRI is a procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. A 7 tesla MRI uses a magnet capable of producing a 7 tesla field strength. This increased magnet strength can produce clearer images. 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT may be a more effective way to image the brain in patients with treatment naive or recurrent GBM.