PET/CT Clinical Trials

In addition to performing routine clinical PET/CT scans, the Functional Imaging department also conducts clinical trials approved by the UBC BCCA Research Ethics Board and Health Canada.

18F-FDG PET/CT in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Principal Investigator: Dr. Andrew Ignaszewski
Heart Function Clinic – St. Paul's Hospital
1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6
For questions about patient referrals, phone: 604.806.8733

Rationale and Background

The diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) can be challenging as clinical presentation of CS can vary considerably in severity. Treatment and management of CS largely depends on accurate diagnosis, yet current methods of diagnosis do not provide a high enough sensitivity or specificity to be considered a gold standard. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT has been previously shown to be useful in the diagnosis of CS as this tool can assist in the differentiation between inflammatory and normal heart tissue where some other modalities may fail. A conclusive diagnosis of CS may allow physicians to provide earlier and improved therapeutic management to patients.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to provide access to ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging in patients with clinical suspicion of cardiac sarcoidosis, and to collect additional data about the safety and effectiveness of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in this patient population.

Study Design

Based on specified eligibility criteria, up to 150 adult subjects with a clinical suspicion of CS will be invited to participate in this study. Patients will be referred to the BC Cancer Agency – Vancouver Centre through the Heart Function Clinic at St. Paul's Hospital.

All referring physicians should direct inquiries to the Heart Function Clinic, where subject eligibility will be confirmed through direct consultation with the physicians at the clinic. Please note that referrals will only be accepted via the Heart Function Clinic at St. Paul's Hospital.

Below is a complete patient information package with an introductory study letter, patient consent form, and diet/fasting instructions. Patients should not sign the consent form prior to arrival for their PET/CT scan. The consent form is available for review purposes only.

Cardiac Sarcoidosis Study Information Package

18F-FDOPA PET/CT in Neuroendocrine Tumours

¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT in Neuroendocrine Tumours

Principal Investigator: Dr. Don Wilson
BC Cancer Agency
600 W 10th Ave., Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4E6
PET Reception/Booking: 604.707.5951 (toll-free 1.800.663.3333, ext. 5951)
Fax Referrals to: 604.877.6245

Rationale & background

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are a heterogenous group of neoplasms characterized by their endocrine metabolism and histologic features. They have no specific primary location, however about 90% arise from the gastroenteropancreatic tract. Treatment of NETs depends on the extent of disease and the rate of tumour progression. Accurate staging is critical to establish the prognosis of the disease, to guide potentially curative surgical approaches, and to assist in therapeutic decision making between surgery, embolization techniques or systemic therapy. ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT has been investigated as a potentially sensitive and specific staging and localization technique for NETs.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to provide access to ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT imaging to patients with NETs and to collect additional information about the safety and effectiveness of ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT in this patient population.

Study Design

Up to 300 adult and pediatric patients will be invited to take part in this study. All patient referrals that meet the indications for performing this test should be faxed to the Functional Imaging Department at the BC Cancer Agency – Vancouver Centre.

The indication for performing this test is the need for non-invasive, functional assessment of patients suspected of having or who have been previously diagnosed with:

Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma:
- Staging
- Localization of clinically or biochemically (elevated calcitonin) suspected recurrent disease
Carcinoid Tumors:
- Staging
- Localization of recurrent disease
- Surgical planning
Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma:
- Diagnosis
- Staging
- Localization of recurrent disease
Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumours, Including Insulinoma:
- Diagnosis
- Staging
- Surgical planning
Neuroblastoma:
- Staging
- Localization of recurrent disease

Other specific clinical indications of suspected or biopsy proven neuroendocrine neoplasia may be approved by the BC Cancer Agency on an individual basis.

Below are the patient referral form, main study consent form for adult patients, and the assent form for children age 7-13. Patients should not sign the consent form prior to arrival for their PET/CT scan. The consent forms are available for review purposes only.

18F-Sodium Fluoride PET Imaging as a Replacement for Bone Scintigraphy

¹⁸F-Sodium Fluoride PET Imaging as a Replacement for Bone Scintigraphy

Principal Investigator: Dr. François Bénard

BC Cancer Agency – Vancouver Centre

600 W 10th avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4E6

For questions about patient referrals, phone: 604-877-6000 ext: 2818

Rationale and Background

^99mTc-MDP is the most widely used radioactive tracer in imaging studies such as whole body bone scans. ^99mTc is used in 20 million diagnostic procedures worldwide annually, for purposes ranging from detecting bone metastases from cancer to detecting coronary artery disease.

An alternative for ^99mTc-MDP in bone imaging is using the radioactive tracer ¹⁸F-Sodium Fluoride (¹⁸F-NaF). Some studies have shown that ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT is a possible alternative to the current bone scan procedures.

The ¹⁸F-NaF made at the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) is considered investigational. However, this tracer has been used safely at various institutions around the world for many years. There are no serious side effects associated with ¹⁸F-NaF that have been reported in the medical literature to date.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to compare the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of ¹⁸F-NaF imaging to ^99mTc-MDP bone SPECT imaging for bone metastasis detection. As well as evaluate the short-term undesirable side effects.

Study Design

Up to 286 adult subjects with breast or prostate cancer with a clinical suspicion of bone metastases will be invited to participate in this study.

Eligible participants will undergo two bone scans one using the standard ^99mTc-MDP bone SPECT imaging and another using ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT.

All patient referrals that meet the specified eligibility criteria for participating in their study should be faxed to the Functional Imaging Department at the BCCA – Vancouver Centre.

Below are the patient referral forms, study introduction letter, and informed consent. Patients should not sign the consent form prior to arrival for their PET/CT scan. The consent forms are available for review purposes only.