Molecular imaging and theranostic approaches in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

Cell Tissue Res. 2018 May;372(2):393-401. doi: 10.1007/s00441-018-2791-4. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas and their extra-adrenal counterpart paragangliomas (PGLs; together called PPGLs), belong to the family of neural crest-derived tumors. Given the overexpression of a wide variety of specific targets in PPGLs, it seems that these tumors are optimally suited to be imaged by specific radiopharmaceuticals. Thus, theranostics approaches with somatostatin agonists and antagonists are rapidly evolving in the setting of these tumors and may be considered as the next step in the therapeutic arsenal of metastatic PPGLs.

Keywords: 6-(18F)fluoro-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine; DOTA-analogues; Gallium-68; Neuroendocrine; Paragangliomas; Positron emission tomography; Somatostatin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / genetics
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Imaging*
  • Paraganglioma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Paraganglioma / epidemiology
  • Paraganglioma / genetics
  • Paraganglioma / therapy*
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pheochromocytoma / epidemiology
  • Pheochromocytoma / genetics
  • Pheochromocytoma / therapy*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / chemistry
  • Theranostic Nanomedicine*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals