Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to Predict Intracranial Tumor Growth in Neurofibromatosis Type II (NF2) Patients
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this prospective observational study of intracranial tumors in patients
with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is to gain insight into the use of
18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) and 3'-deoxy-3'-18F-fluorothymidine (FLT) positron emission
tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) as a predictive measure of future tumor growth
patterns.
STUDY POPULATION:
Twelve patients, ages 18-50, with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of NF2 and harboring at
least 3 unoperated intracranial tumors (meningiomas and/or vestibular schwannomas) will
participate in this study.
DESIGN:
Study participants will be evaluated with a thorough physical and neurologic examination
upon enrollment. This initial outpatient evaluation will include contrast-enhanced magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, FDG-PET/CT and FLT-PET/CT scans.
Subjects will be followed as outpatients for two years, during which time MRI evaluation
will be performed every six months.
OUTCOME MEASURES:
Based on data derived from this study, we hope to correlate FDG-PET/CT and FLT-PET/CT scans
with metabolic activity and cellular proliferation within tumors. These findings will help
us better forecast tumor growth and senescence. These findings should permit the safer
treatment of the subset of tumors that will grow and cause symptoms and avoid the
unnecessary treatment of lesions that will remain stable (not requiring treatment) in these
patients.
Observational
Time Perspective: Prospective
To determine whether FDG and/or FLT uptake correlate with growth rate of meningiomas and Vestibular Schwannomas (VSs) in NF2 patients, and can be used to predict their future growth pattern.
Ashok R Asthagiri, M.D.
Principal Investigator
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
United States: Federal Government
100193
NCT01222728
September 2010
Name | Location |
---|---|
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike | Bethesda, Maryland 20892 |