This study is testing a new PET/CT scan that uses a special tracer called \[⁶⁸Ga\]Ga-DLL3 nanobody to see if it can better detect cancer spread (metastases) in people with neuroendocrine tumors than the standard scans currently used (FDG PET/CT or PSMA PET/CT). DLL3 is a protein found on the surface of many neuroendocrine tumor cells, and the new tracer is designed to stick to this protein, making tumors visible on the scan. The goal is to find out whether this new imaging method can give doctors more accurate information about where the cancer has spread and help them choose the most appropriate treatment for each patient. The study is prospective, multi-center, and self-controlled, meaning each participant will receive both the new scan and the standard scan, allowing a direct side-by-side comparison in the same person. Depending on the type of neuroendocrine tumor, participants will be assigned to one of two groups: one group will be compared with FDG PET/CT and the other with PSMA PET/CT. The two scans will be performed within two weeks of each other, and all images will be read by independent experts who do not know the patient's clinical history, to ensure objective and unbiased results. The investigators plan to enroll about 180-200 patients aged 18 or older who have confirmed neuroendocrine tumors with at least two metastatic sites. The total duration of participation is approximately 6 months, consisting of a screening period of up to 14 days, two imaging scans completed within 2 days, and a final follow-up visit at 6 months to evaluate participants' health and disease progression. Participation is entirely voluntary, and participants may withdraw at any time without affecting participants' standard medical care.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
200
\[⁶⁸Ga\]Ga-PFD3 is a novel PET tracer constructed by conjugating a DLL3-specific nanobody (single-domain antibody, \~15 kDa) with a chelator for ⁶⁸Ga radiolabeling. DLL3 (Delta-like ligand 3) is a cell-surface protein that is rarely expressed in healthy adult tissues but is overexpressed in over 80% of small cell lung cancer and in other high-grade neuroendocrine tumors, making it an attractive target for molecular imaging. The nanobody platform offers advantages over conventional monoclonal antibody-based tracers (e.g., \[⁸⁹Zr\]Zr-DFO-SC16.56): smaller size (\~15 kDa vs. \~150 kDa) enables superior tissue penetration, rapid blood clearance, and shorter in vivo residence time, allowing same-day PET/CT imaging within hours post-injection. Participants receive a single intravenous injection of \[⁶⁸Ga\]Ga-PFD3 (activity: 111-185 MBq; protein mass and molar activity controlled per protocol), followed by whole-body PET/CT acquisition at approximately 2 hours post-injection. Images are acquired from
Peking University First Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
Diagnostic Accuracy of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DLL3 Nanobody PET/CT in Detecting Metastatic Lesions
Sensitivity and specificity of \[⁶⁸Ga\]Ga-DLL3 nanobody PET/CT for detecting metastatic lesions in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms, using a composite reference standard (incorporating histopathology, conventional imaging \[FDG/PSMA PET/CT, diagnostic CT/MRI\], and 6-month clinical/imaging follow-up) as the truth standard.
Time frame: Baseline (within 14 days of enrollment) and Month 6
Lesion Detection Rate
Per-lesion detection rate of \[⁶⁸Ga\]Ga-DLL3 PET/CT compared to FDG or PSMA PET/CT, stratified by anatomical location (e.g., liver, bone, lung, brain, lymph nodes).
Time frame: Baseline (within 14 days of enrollment)
Clinical Management Change Rate
Proportion of patients whose clinical management (e.g., staging, treatment selection, or biopsy site decision) is altered based on \[⁶⁸Ga\]Ga-DLL3 PET/CT results compared to conventional imaging.
Time frame: Baseline (at time of image interpretation, within 14 days of enrollment)
Safety and Tolerability
Incidence, severity, and causality of adverse events (graded per CTCAE v5.0) following single intravenous injection of \[⁶⁸Ga\]Ga-DLL3 nanobody, including injection site reactions, allergic reactions, and any serious adverse events.
Time frame: Up to 24 hours post-injection
Correlation with DLL3 Expression
Correlation between \[⁶⁸Ga\]Ga-DLL3 PET/CT uptake (SUVmax, SUVmean) and DLL3 expression level by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in biopsied tumor specimens (where available).
Time frame: At study completion (expected at Month 6)
Target-to-Background Ratio (TBR)
Quantitative comparison of TBR between \[⁶⁸Ga\]Ga-DLL3 PET/CT and standard scans (FDG or PSMA PET/CT) in identified lesions, with background regions pre-defined as liver, blood pool, and muscle.
Time frame: Baseline (within 14 days of enrollment)
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