Initial results with [18F]FAPI-74 PET/CT in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Yuriko Mori, Vasko Kramer, Emil Novruzov, Eduards Mamlins, Manuel Röhrich, René Fernández, Horacio Amaral, Cristian Soza‐Ried, Barbara Monje, Eduardo Sabbagh, Matías Florenzano, Frederik L. Giesel, Álvaro Undurraga
Abstract
Abstract Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic fibrosing interstitial lung disease with a poor prognosis. 68 Ga-labeled FAP ligands exhibited highly promising results due to the crucial role of activated fibroblasts in fibrosis imaging of the lung. However, 18 F-labeled FAP ligands might provide qualitatively much higher imaging results with accompanying economic benefits due to large-scale production. Thus, we sought to investigate the potential of [ 18 F]FAPI-74 prospectively in a small patient cohort. Methods Eight patients underwent both [ 18 F]FAPI-74-PET/CT and HRCT scans and were then compared with a control group without any fibrosing pulmonary disease. The tracer uptake of fibrotic lung areas was analyzed in synopsis with radiological and clinical parameters. Results We observed a positive correlation between the fibrotic active volume, the Hounsfield scale, as well as the vital and diffusing capacity of the lung. Conclusion The initial results confirm our assumption that [ 18 F]FAPI-74 offers a viable non-invasive assessment method for pulmonary fibrotic changes in patients with IPF.