High-throughput long-axial PET using oral 18F-FDG

HELP Study - Towards High Throughput and Efficient Long-axial PET With Oral [18F]FDG

Not applicable Interventional British Columbia Cancer Agency · NCT07295171

This study will test whether swallowing 18F-FDG and being scanned on a long-axial PET scanner can produce clear cancer images compared with the standard IV-injected PET in adults.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment27 (estimated)
Ages19 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBritish Columbia Cancer Agency Academic / other
Locations1 site (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Trial IDNCT07295171 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The study will recruit about 15–24 adults who have recently had a standard-of-care 18F-FDG PET/CT and are willing to undergo a second research scan. Each participant will receive two scans: a delayed imaging protocol after oral ingestion of 18F-FDG and a conventional IV 18F-FDG PET/CT, using a long-axial field-of-view Siemens Quadra scanner. Investigators will compare image quality, uptake timing, and patient preference to define an optimal oral-administration protocol. The work aims to leverage the Quadra's faster, higher-resolution imaging to see if oral dosing can be a feasible clinical alternative to IV injection.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 19 and older with cancer who have recently had a standard 18F-FDG PET/CT and are willing to undergo an additional oral 18F-FDG PET/CT within two weeks are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, unable to swallow, have very high fasting blood glucose (>11.0 mmol/L), require enteral tubes or are immobile, incontinent, or cannot lie flat are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, oral 18F-FDG with a long-axial PET scanner could reduce the need for IV access, speed throughput, and improve patient comfort while maintaining diagnostic image quality.

How similar studies have performed: Small prior feasibility reports have explored oral 18F-FDG and delayed imaging, but combining oral dosing with long-axial field-of-view scanners is largely novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥19 years
* Participants who have received a standard of care \[18F\]FDG PET/CT and are willing to undergo a study specific oral \[18F\]FDG PET/CT within 2 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participant Inclusion Criteria

* Age ≥19 years
* Participants who have received a standard of care \[18F\]FDG PET/CT and are willing to undergo a study specific oral \[18F\]FDG PET/CT within 2 weeks.

Participant Exclusion Criteria

* Pregnant or breast-feeding
* Medically unstable (e.g., acute illness, unstable vital signs)
* Urinary incontinence/catheter.
* Immobile, frail or vulnerable patients who cannot leave the department and would require an uptake room in any case.
* Patients whose fasting blood sugar at the SOC PET was \>11.0 mmol/l
* Unable to swallow.
* Patients with nasogastric tubes, percutaneous gastrostomy or other non-anatomical routes for nutrition.
* Unable to lie flat for 1h (subset of participants - first 5 participants only).
* Claustrophobia requiring medication.
* Undergoing active treatment or assessment of an upper digestive tract tumor (stomach/esophagus)
* Unable to provide written consent
* Patients receiving biguanide anti-hyperglycemic agents (e.g. Metformin).
* Insulin dependent diabetics.

Where this trial is running

Vancouver, British Columbia

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Multiple CancersMultiple Indications CancerFeasibility StudiesOral FDGLAFOVLong-axial Field-of-view ScannerQuadraLow-dose Oral Radiopharmaceuticals
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.