RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Molecular Pituitary Imaging Using 18F-FET PET

This research study is looking at a type of growth called a pituitary adenoma, which happens in a small gland in your brain. The main goal is to compare two different kinds of advanced scans, called FET-PET and Met-PET. Both scans help doctors see these growths. Patients who have already had a Met-PET scan as part of their regular care will be asked if they want to have a new type of scan called a FET-PET. Researchers want to find out if the FET-PET scan gives similar information to the Met-PET scan when looking at these growths. This could help doctors choose the best way to monitor or treat pituitary adenomas in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Cambridge

Enrolment target

Start

03 Sep 2024

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Pituitary Adenoma

What is this study about?

This study is about a small gland in your brain called the pituitary gland. Sometimes, growths called pituitary adenomas can form there. These growths are usually not cancerous, but they can cause health problems. Doctors use special scans to see and understand these growths better.

In this study, researchers are comparing two types of advanced scans: 18F-FET PET and 11C-methionine PET (which we'll call Met-PET for short). Met-PET is a scan that has been used to help locate these growths. Researchers want to see if the newer FET-PET scan can give the same useful information as the Met-PET scan. If it does, it might be a new and perhaps easier way for doctors to identify and track pituitary growths in the future.

Up to 20 patients who have already had a Met-PET scan for their pituitary adenoma will be asked to take part. This includes people who have been recently diagnosed or those whose growths have come back or not fully gone away after previous treatment. By comparing the results from both scans, doctors hope to learn which method is best for seeing these specific growths.

Key takeaways

This study compares two scans for pituitary adenomas.
It aims to see if a newer scan (FET-PET) is as good as an older one (Met-PET).
You would need to have already had a Met-PET scan.
Participation involves one extra FET-PET scan appointment.
Findings could help improve future diagnosis or monitoring methods.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older. You must have a pituitary adenoma, which means doctors suspect you have one based on your symptoms, blood tests, or other scans. A very important part of joining is that you must have already had an 11C-methionine PET (Met-PET) scan as part of your usual medical care.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you can't give your clear permission to take part, or if you are pregnant or think you might be. You also need to be able to lie still on your back for about 30 to 60 minutes for the scan.

If you are much larger than the typical scanner size, or if you have a known allergy to the special dye sometimes used in hospital scans, you might not be able to participate. The study is open to both men and women.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you been told you have a pituitary adenoma?
Have you already had a special scan called an 11C-Met-PET/CT?
Are you able to lie still on your back for an hour?
Are you not pregnant or think you might be?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will need to have one extra scan. This will be an 18F-FET PET scan. This scan is similar to other scans you might have had, where you lie still in a machine while images are taken. The researchers will be collecting information from this new scan and comparing it to the results of the 11C-methionine PET (Met-PET) scan you've already had. There are no medications involved as part of the study, and after the scan, there will be no further follow-up specific to the study beyond what your regular medical care requires. The total duration of your active participation would mainly involve attending for this one additional scan appointment.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help doctors understand more about pituitary adenomas and how best to image them. This might not directly benefit you, but it could help future patients. There are some minor risks associated with the extra scan you would receive. Like any scan involving radiation, there's a very small amount of radiation exposure, similar to what you might get from a few X-rays. You'll also need a small injection for the scan. You are free to decide not to take part or to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Cambridge University Hospitals
Verified postcode
Cambridge, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a pituitary adenoma?

It's a growth that forms in a small gland in your brain called the pituitary gland. These growths are usually not cancerous.

Why is this study being done?

Doctors want to see if a newer type of scan (FET-PET) can find pituitary adenomas as well as an older scan (Met-PET) does. This could help improve how these growths are monitored in the future.

Do I need to take any medicine for this study?

No, you don't need to take any special medicines as part of this study. It only involves having an extra scan.

How long will I be in the study?

Your active involvement will mainly be for one appointment to have the additional scan. After that, no further study-specific follow-up is planned.

Will taking part affect my regular medical treatment?

No, your decision to join or not join, or to leave the study, will not affect the usual medical care you receive from your doctors.

How to find out more

James MacFarlane

jm2267@medschl.cam.ac.uk 01223 250882 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.