NCT06773663

Application of Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET/CT for Primary Aldosteronism

Evaluation of Biodistribution, Dosimetry, Diagnostic and Surgery-guiding Ability of Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET Imaging for Patients With Primary Aldosteronism: A Prospective, Single-center Study

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 1 / Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 150 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Peking Union Medical College Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This prospective, single-center study investigates the biodistribution, dosimetry, safety, diagnostic performance of Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET imaging in patients with primary aldosteronism. And evaluates the potential of Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET imaging in surgical strategy guidance.

Detailed description

Hypertension has a high prevalence, being a leading cause of premature death in 1.4 billion adults worldwide. Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Guidelines recommend that 50% of people with hypertension should be screened for PA, yet fewer than 1% of PA patients have undergone screening and treatment. Aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) are the primary subtypes of PA, accounting for approximately 35% and 60% of cases, respectively. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve prognosis and enhance patients' quality of life. Screening for PA, particularly in patients with resistant hypertension or newly diagnosed hypertension, has practical clinical significance. Currently, adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is considered the "gold standard" for PA subtyping, allowing for the identification of unilateral dominant secretion, with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 100%. However, AVS is an invasive procedure, expensive, requires hospitalization, is technically challenging, and carries risks of catheterization failure and post-procedural complications. Thus, it is difficult to implement AVS on a large scale across medical facilities. Conventional imaging techniques such as CT have low detection efficacy for small adrenal nodules, falling short of clinical diagnostic and therapeutic needs. CXCR4 is a typical G-protein-coupled receptor primarily located on the cell membrane. Upon activation, it stimulates cell migration and activation, playing a key role in hematopoiesis, immunity, inflammation, and cancer regulation. Recent studies have found that CXCR4 is highly expressed on the cell membrane of APA and is significantly correlated with the expression level of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), while it is expressed at low levels in non-functional adenomas. The nuclear medicine molecular probe, 68Ga-Pentixafor, is a specific ligand for CXCR4. By specifically binding to CXCR4 receptors on the cell membrane, it provides functional imaging through PET/CT, offering a simple, direct, and effective reference for PA subtyping and clinical decision-making. Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor is an imaging agent targeting CXCR4, and in vitro experiments have shown its specific binding to CXCR4 with high affinity. Therefore, Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET imaging can be used for the non-invasive localization of all CXCR4-positive lesions in vivo, including APA. However, currently, only limited research has investigated the application of Al18F-CXCR4 receptor imaging in PA, and no studies have yet examined its potential value for surgical guidance in patients with PA. Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor can be synthesized automatically in large quantities within a short time. If its imaging performance is not inferior to that of 68Ga-Pentixafor, it would be more advantageous for large-scale clinical application. This prospective, single-center study aims to assess the biodistribution, dosimetry, safety, and diagnostic efficacy of Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET imaging in patients with primary aldosteronism. Furthermore, it evaluates the potential of Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET imaging to guide surgical strategies for these patients.

Conditions

• Primary Aldosteronism
• Primary Aldosteronism Due to Aldosterone Producing Adenoma

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
COMBINATION_PRODUCT	Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET/CT	Participants will receive an intravenous injection of Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor, prepared on-site and measured by qualified personnel using a dose calibrator, with readings and time recorded. The radiopharmaceutical will be slowly administered through a three-way stopcock, followed by a flush with 5 mL of normal saline. The recommended dose is approximately 4.81 MBq/kg (0.13 mCi/kg) body weight, with variations depending on drug yield and clinical scheduling. CT and PET imaging are planned 45-90 minutes after administration, with adjustments based on drug yield and equipment availability.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-12-30
• Primary completion: 2026-05-30
• Completion: 2026-10-30
• First posted: 2025-01-14
• Last updated: 2025-02-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China