Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Imaging with [Lys40(Ahx-HYNIC-99mTcEDDA)‎NH2]-Exendin-4 for the Diagnosis of Recurrence or Dissemination of Medullary Thyroid Cancer : A Preliminary Report

Abstract EN

Introduction.

Epidemiological studies on medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) have shown that neither a change in stage at diagnosis nor improvement in survival has occurred during the past 30 years.

In patients with detectable serum calcitonin and no clinically apparent disease, a careful search for local recurrence, and nodal or distant metastases, should be performed.

Conventional imaging modalities will not show any disease until basal serum calcitonin is at least 150 pg/mL.

The objective of the study was to present the first experience with labelled glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue [Lys40(Ahx-HYNIC-99mTc/EDDA)NH2]-exendin-4 in the visualisation of MTC in humans.

Material and Method.

Four patients aged 22–74 years (two with sporadic and two with MEN2 syndrome-related disseminated MTC) were enrolled in the study.

In all patients, GLP-1 receptor imaging was performed.

Results.

High-quality images were obtained in all patients.

All previously known MTC lesions have been confirmed in GLP-1 scintigraphy.

Moreover, one additional liver lesion was detected in sporadic MTC male patient.

Conclusions.

GLP-1 receptor imaging with [Lys40(Ahx-HYNIC-99mTc/EDDA)NH2]-exendin-4 is able to detect MTC lesions.

GLP-1 scintigraphy can serve as a confirmatory test in MTC patients, in whom other imaging procedures are inconsistent.