Addition of F18-Piflufolastat PET/CT to Cross-Sectional Imaging for the Staging and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
This prospective, single-center study evaluates the clinical utility of F18-Piflufolastat (PSMA) PET/CT when added to conventional cross-sectional imaging for patients with suspected or confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study aims to determine whether PSMA PET/CT improves diagnostic accuracy for indeterminate liver lesions (LI-RADS 3 and 4), enhances staging precision in treatment-naïve patients, and provides more accurate assessment of treatment response in patients undergoing locoregional therapy (LRT). The goal is to assess how PSMA PET/CT may impact clinical decision-making, staging, and management of HCC across multiple stages of disease.
Description
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Accurate diagnosis, staging, and treatment response assessment are critical for optimal management of patients with HCC. However, conventional imaging modalities, such as contrast-enhanced CT and MRI, have limitations in characterizing indeterminate liver lesions and in detecting intrahepatic or extrahepatic disease, particularly in the context of post-treatment changes. This prospective, single-center study investigates the added value of F18-Piflufolastat (PSMA)…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients age \>18 years from the VA medical system * Treatment-naïve patients with HCC with BCLC B or C disease Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with renal dysfunction or contrast allergy that precludes contrast enhanced cross sectional imaging * Patients with presence of active primary malignancy other than HCC and non-melanoma skin cancer in the past 3 years
Location
- Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FLMiami, Florida