Evaluation of [11C]-Methionine PET CT in NF1-MPNST (version 1)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Evaluation of [11C]-methionine positron emission computerised tomography (PET CT) in diagnosing neurofibromatosis 1(NF1) - malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST)

• IRAS ID

  35094

• Contact name

  rosalie ferner

• Sponsor organisation

  King's College London

• Eudract number

  2010-019759-23

• ISRCTN Number

  Not available

• Research summary

  Neurofibromatosis 1(NF1) is a complex inherited disease and people with this condition develop multiple benign neurofibromas that form on nerve sheaths (coverings) throughout the body. There is 7%-13% risk over a lifetime of developing malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) that usually form from benign plexiform neurofibromas (diffuse neurofibromas that can involve multiple nerves. MPNST are challenging to diagnose and treat and frequently have a poor outcome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows the site and extent of the tumour but is not a reliable indicator of malignancy. [18]-F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computerised tomography (FDG PET CT) is a diagnostic imaging technique has allowed us to identify patients likely to have MPNST because it shows the increased metabolic activity of the malignant tumours. However, there is an overlap region on FDG PET CT where it is difficult to distinguish between benign and malignant tumours. The diagnosis has to be made by surgery that potentially causes serious medical complications.The Medical Research Council has funded a 30 month research study at the National Neurofibromatosis units in London and in Manchester to assess the ability of [11]C??methionine PET (MET PET CT)to diagnose MPNST in 55 NF1 patients with plexiform neurofibromas that are causing symptoms. We will assess whether it is more useful than FDG PET CT in distinguishing benign neurofibromas from MPNST. MET and FDG PET findings will be compared with tumour histology (microscopic structure)to find out whether MET PET CT can predict how a tumour will respond to treatment. Previous research has shown that different kinds of tumours have different genetic profiles and blood and tumour tissue will be analysed to provide potential markers for diagnosis and outcome for people with NF1 and MPNST.

• REC name

  London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  10/H0802/81

• Date of REC Opinion

  10 Jan 2011

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion