The Role of PET [18F]FDOPA in Evaluating Low-grade Glioma

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[(18)F]-fluoro-L-phenylalanine ([(18)F]-FDOPA) positron-emission tomography (PET) in predicting the risk of radiological progression of disease in patients affected by low-grade glioma.

Patients and methods: Patients affected by grade II glioma were consecutively enrolled in a prospective observational study at the Department of Neurology of Regina Elena National Cancer Institute in Rome, Italy. At enrolment, all patients underwent PET [(18)F]-FDOPA and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and clinical and radiological assessments with MRI every six months to evaluate the progression of disease.

Results: A total of 50 patients affected by grade II glioma (30 males and 20 females) were included in the study. The multivariate analysis showed that standardized uptake value greater than 1.75 and disease duration were independent predictors of disease progression.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the PET [(18)F]-FDOPA may play an important prognostic role in evaluation of low-grade glioma.

Keywords: Low-grade glioma; PET 18F-FDOPA; prognostic factors; progressive disease.