Innovative PET Imaging Method Enhances Detection of Nasopharyngeal Cancer Biomarker

An advanced immuno-PET/CT imaging technique has successfully identified and validated a significant biomarker associated with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). This newly discovered biomarker, known as CD70, is consistently expressed in NPC cases and has been shown to be effective in accurately detecting both primary and metastatic lesions of the cancer.

This groundbreaking research, published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, holds promise for improving diagnostic accuracy and facilitating personalized treatment strategies for NPC patients. NPC is a rare form of head and neck cancer that occurs in the upper throat, behind the nose, and near the base of the skull. While the incidence of NPC is low in many regions, it is more prevalent in specific areas of South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, and is often linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is known to cause mononucleosis.

According to researchers, CD70 plays a crucial role in the immune response to EBV infection. Thus, the research team aimed to further explore the characteristics and diagnostic potential of this biomarker in the context of NPC. The study involved a comprehensive analysis of CD70 expression in 80 archived NPC specimens, correlating this data with various clinical and pathological features.

Utilizing the novel tracer 18F-RCCB6, which is derived from a single-domain antibody specific to human CD70, the diagnostic capabilities of 18F-RCCB6 immuno-PET/CT were assessed in 25 NPC patients. This was compared to the performance of the standard 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging.

The results revealed that CD70 was positively expressed in 90% of the NPC specimens, and the levels of expression were strongly associated with EBV status. In the patient cohort, the uptake of 18F-RCCB6 correlated well with CD70 expression levels, achieving a perfect detection rate of the primary tumors and a 93% detection rate for local lymph node metastases in early-stage disease.

When compared to 18F-FDG, the 18F-RCCB6 imaging demonstrated superior sensitivity for detecting lymph node metastasis, while maintaining equivalent detection capabilities for primary tumors and most distant metastases. Notably, the immuno-PET/CT using 18F-RCCB6 provided clearer evaluations of skull-base invasions and bone metastases.

These findings underscore the potential impact of 18F-RCCB6 immuno-PET/CT on the management of NPC, as it offers precise identification of primary tumors, metastases, and recurrent lesions. This accuracy significantly reduces the chances of false positives associated with inflammatory uptake seen in traditional 18F-FDG imaging.

Such advancements can enhance radiotherapy planning and inform personalized treatment approaches, including therapies targeting CD70. For patients, these improvements may lead to earlier diagnosis, reduced instances of overtreatment, and improved prognostic outcomes.