Imaging in Transforming Gilomas

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Translocator Protein Expression in Transforming Gliomas

  • IRAS ID

    139782

  • Contact name

    Alan Jackson

  • Contact email

    alan.jackson@manchester.ac.uk

  • Research summary

    Gliomas are the commonest type of primary brain tumours accounting for approximately 70% of primary brain tumours in adults. Gliomas can be classified into two main groups: low and high grade tumours. The high-grade tumours are characterised by their invasive growth, high recurrence rates and limited response to clinical therapy, all of which contribute to poor prognosis and high mortality rate. None of the currently available imaging modalities alone are able to characterise a glioma. However, a combination of advanced MRI and PET techniques could provide more information about the nature of gliomas, which would be very helpful in planning future surgical and medical therapy.

    In gliomas, experimental and post¬mortem studies have shown increased expression of translocator protein (TSPO) within the high-grade tumours. Although its exact role in brain tumours is still puzzling, recent studies support the idea that TSPO expression may serve as a biomarker for malignant transformation in these brain tumours and help us in differentiating low and high-grade tumours.

    In this study, PET imaging – with the radiotracer PK11195, a selective radioligand for TSPO – will be compared with perfusion MRI and standard diagnosis by histology to test the hypothesis that malignant transformation of gliomas is accompanied by early increases of TSPO expression, detectable by PK11195 PET imaging; and allow us to calculate the sample size required for conducting a larger study to evaluate the role of TSPO imaging in early detection of glioma malignant transformation as well as its relation with disease progression. Such information could provide important insights into the biology of this common brain tumour, and could be used to guide future treatment, monitor response and help predict outcomes.

  • REC name

    North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/NW/0071

  • Date of REC Opinion

    18 Mar 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion