18F-FET PET imaging for pituitary adenomas
Exploring the Potential for 18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine (18F-FET) to Enable Wider Access to Molecular Imaging for Patients With Pituitary Adenomas (FET-pit-PET Study)
This pilot will test whether 18F-FET PET scans can detect pituitary adenomas as well as 11C-methionine PET scans in adults who previously had Met-PET.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Cambridge Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire) |
| Trial ID | NCT06584123 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-centre pilot will enroll up to 20 adults with newly diagnosed or residual/recurrent pituitary adenomas who previously underwent 11C-methionine PET as part of routine care. Enrolled participants will receive an 18F-fluoroethyl-tyrosine (FET) PET scan at Cambridge University Hospitals. Quantitative and qualitative image analyses will compare lesion localization and uptake patterns between prior Met-PET and the new FET-PET scans. The study aims to determine whether FET-PET provides comparable imaging information to Met-PET for surgical or radiotherapy planning.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (age 18+) with a suspected pituitary adenoma who previously had an 11C-methionine PET and can give informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, cannot lie flat for the scan, exceed scanner size limits, have contraindications to intravenous contrast, or who have not had prior Met-PET are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If FET-PET performs comparably to Met-PET, it could provide a more accessible, longer‑lived tracer option to better localize pituitary tumors and support treatment planning.
How similar studies have performed: 11C-methionine PET is an established method for pituitary tumor localization, while 18F-FET PET has shown promise in brain tumor imaging but is less tested specifically for pituitary adenomas.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria * Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study * Male or female, age 18 or above * Presence of pituitary adenoma suspected on the basis of clinical/biochemical and/or radiological findings * Previous 11C-Met-PET/CT Exclusion criteria * Inability to give informed consent * Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy * Inability to lie supine for 30-60 minutes * Patient body habitus above scanner dimensions * Known allergy to intravenous radiographic contrast agents
Where this trial is running
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
- Cambridge University Hospitals — Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mark Gurnell, MD, PhD — Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Study coordinator: James MacFarlane
- Email: jm2267@medschl.cam.ac.uk
- Phone: 01223 250882
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.