Preliminary evidence of imaging of chemokine receptor-4-targeted PET/CT with [68Ga]pentixafor in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: comparison to [18F]FDG

Background In order to study the CXCR4 expression with [ 68 Ga]pentixafor PET in different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, we performed a retrospective study to describe the [ 68 Ga]pentixafor PET/CT imaging in a spectrum of lymphomas and to compare it with [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT. Results Twenty-seven patients with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin lymphoma were recruited retrospectively. [ 68 Ga]pentixafor PET showed increased radioactivity in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma ( n = 8), marginal zone lymphoma ( n = 4), diffuse large B cell lymphoma ( n = 3), follicular lymphoma ( n = 2), mantle cell lymphoma ( n = 1), unclassified indolent B cell lymphoma ( n = 3), and enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma ( n = 3). However, peripheral T cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified ( n = 1), and NK/T cell lymphoma ( n = 2) were not avid for [ 68 Ga]pentixafor. In comparison to [ 18 F]FDG PET, [ 68 Ga]pentixafor PET demonstrated more extensive disease and higher radioactivity in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. Conclusion CXCR4 expression varies in different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Overexpression of CXCR4 was detected with [ 68 Ga]pentixafor PET/CT in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, unclassified indolent B cell lymphoma, and enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma. The uptake of [ 68 Ga]pentixafor was higher than [ 18 F]FDG in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma.