Personalised PET imaging in oncology: an umbrella review of meta-analyses to guide the appropriate radiopharmaceutical choice and indication

Abstract

Purpose

For several years, oncological positron emission tomography (PET) has developed beyond 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-D-glucose ([¹⁸F]FDG). This umbrella review of meta-analyses aims to provide up-to-date, comprehensive, high-level evidence to support appropriate referral for a specific radiopharmaceutical PET/computed tomography (CT) or PET/magnetic resonance (MR) in the diagnosis and staging of solid cancers other than brain malignancies.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search on the PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for meta-analyses assessing the accuracy of PET/CT and/or PET/MRI with [¹⁸F]FDG, somatostatin- receptor-targeting ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-peptides, ¹⁸F-labelled dihydroxyphenylalanine ([¹⁸F]DOPA), prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligands, and fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPI) in the diagnosis/disease characterisation and staging of solid cancers other than brain tumours.

Results

The literature search yielded 449 scientific articles. After screening titles and abstracts and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 173 meta-analyses to assess the strength of evidence. One article was selected from references. Sixty-four meta-analyses were finally considered. The current evidence corroborates the role of [¹⁸F]FDG as the main player in molecular imaging; PSMA tracers are useful in staging and re-staging prostate cancer; somatostatin-targeting peptides (e.g. [⁶⁸Ga]Ga- DOTA-TOC and -TATE) or [¹⁸F]DOPA are valuable in neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). FAPI has emerged in gastric cancer assessment. According to search and selection criteria, no satisfactory meta-analysis was selected for the diagnosis/detection of oesophageal cancer, the diagnosis/detection and N staging of small cell lung cancer and hepatic cell carcinoma, the diagnosis/detection and M staging of melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma, cervical, vulvar and penis cancers, the N and M staging of lung and gastroenteropancreatic NET, testicular cancer, and chondrosarcoma, and the M staging of differentiated thyroid, bladder and anal cancers.

Conclusion

The comprehensive high-level evidence synthesised in the present umbrella review serves as a guiding compass for clinicians and imagers, aiding them in navigating the increasingly intricate seascape of PET examinations.