Update on the Role of [18F]FDOPA PET/CT

Abstract

[¹⁸F]-dihydroxyphenylalanine ([¹⁸F]FDOPA) is a radiopharmaceutical used in a broad spectrum of diseases, including neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), congenital hyperinsulinism, parkinsonian syndromes and neuro-oncology. Genetic analysis and disease specific biomarkers may guide the optimum selection of patients that may benefit most from [¹⁸F]FDOPA PET in different stages of several neuroendocrine neoplasms and in congenital hyperinsulinism. For clinical routine in neuro-oncology, indications for [¹⁸F]FDOPA PET include tumor delineation and distinguishing between treatment related changes and recurrent disease. New developments as the advent of large axial field of view PET/CT or integrated PET/MRI systems may provide more unique opportunities, such as those related to detection of smaller lesions in primary staging of NETs, dose reduction in children with congenital hyperinsulinism, or possibilities to obtain more extensive noninvasive quantification of cerebral uptake by using image derived input functions. Although the widespread use of [¹⁸F]FDOPA has been hampered by complex synthesis methods and high production costs in the past, significant efforts have been undertaken to provide robust GMP compliant synthesis methods with high activity yield and molar activity.