PET imaging of hypoxia using [18F]HX4: a phase I trial.
OBJECTIVE
Noninvasive PET imaging of tumour hypoxia could help in the selection of those patients who could benefit from chemotherapy or radiation with specific antihypoxic treatments such as bioreductive drugs or hypoxic radiosensitizers. In this phase I trial, we aimed to determine the toxicity of [(18)F]HX4, a member of the 2-nitroimidazole family, at different dose levels. The secondary aim was to analyse image quality related to the HX4 dose and the timing of imaging.


METHODS
Patients with a histologically proven solid cancer without curative treatment options were eligible for this study. A study design with two dose steps was used in which a single dose of a maximum of 222 MBq (step 1) or 444 MBq (step 2) [(18)F]HX4 was injected. Toxicity was scored on day 0 and on days 3 and 7 after injection, according to the CTCAE 3.0 scoring system. PET/CT images of the largest tumour site were acquired 30, 60 and 120 min after injection.


RESULTS
Six patients with stage IV carcinoma were included, four with non-small-cell lung carcinoma, one with thymus carcinoma, and one with colon carcinoma. No toxicity was observed in any of the patients at either dose level. The median tumour to muscle ratio 120 min after injection was 1.40 (range 0.63-1.98).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study showed that [(18)F]HX4 PET imaging for the detection of hypoxia is not associated with any toxicity. Imaging was successful; however, future trials are needed to determine the optimal image parameters.
van Loon
Judith
J
Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro Clinic), GROW-School of Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Judith.vanloon@maastro.nl
Janssen
Marco H M
MH
Ollers
Michel
M
Aerts
Hugo J W L
HJ
Dubois
Ludwig
L
Hochstenbag
Monique
M
Dingemans
Anne-Marie C
AM
Lalisang
Roy
R
Brans
Boudewijn
B
Windhorst
Bert
B
van Dongen
Guus A
GA
Kolb
Hartmuth
H
Zhang
James
J
De Ruysscher
Dirk
D
Lambin
Philippe
P
D000368:Aged; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009593:Nitroimidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D013997:Time Factors; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
C553729:3-fluoro-2-(4-((2-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propan-1-ol; D009593:Nitroimidazoles; D014230:Triazoles