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Gastric CancerPhase 2NCT05898854

[68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junctional Cancer

A Phase 2 study testing 68Ga-FAPi-46 in people with Gastric Cancer and Gastro Esophageal Junctional Cancer, run by Aalborg University Hospital at 1 site in Denmark.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Twenty (n=20) patients with gastric cancer or gastro-esophageal junctional cancer will undergo FAPI PET/CTs in addition to routing diagnostic workup (including FDG PET/CT) at primary staging and restaging. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
68Ga-FAPi-46
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
20 participants
Where
1 siteDenmark
Study dates
15 Feb 2024to 18 Dec 2025
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Newly diagnosed with biopsy verified gastric or GEJ cancer and referred to primary staging FDG PET/CT
  • Deemed resectable and operable at the MDT, with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy
  • Considered physically and mentally able to participate in the research project
  • Can read and understand Danish
  • 18-years or older and able to consent to project participation

Who cannot join

  • Patients with non-resectable, inoperable, or recurrent gastric or GEJ cancer
  • Patients with an imminent need for surgery or in an emergency
  • Known concurrent other malignancy within the previous 5 years other than non-melanoma skin cancer
  • Patients not suited for surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery
  • Subject weighing more than 180 kg (weight limit scanner) or unable to fit within the imaging gantry
  • History of allergic reactions / hypersensitivity attributed to 18F-FDG or 68Ga-FAPI-46.
Show all 13Show fewer
  • Severe claustrophobia unresponsive to oral anxiolytics
  • Subjects with any medical condition or other circumstances that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would significantly decrease the reliability of data, achievement of study objectives or completing the study.
  • Pregnant, lactating, or breastfeeding women.
  • Potential pregnant women of childbearing potential[1] not using effective contraceptives[2]. Potential pregnancy will be ascertained by a pregnancy test (urine humane choriogonadotropin (HCG) or serum HCG) < 48 hours before injection with 68Ga-FAPI-46.
  • Inability to remain still for the duration of the examination
  • Women of childbearing potential are defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, i.e., not sterilized (bilateral tubectomy/occlusion, hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy) and not post-menopausal. In cases of uncertain menopausal status, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and menstruation history can be assessed.
  • Effective contraceptives include sexual abstinence, vasectomized partner, combined hormonal contraception (oral, intravaginal, transdermal), progesterone-only contraceptive (oral, injectable, implantable), or working intrauterine device (hormonal, non-hormonal).

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Denmark1 site

  • Aalborg University Hospital

    Aalborg, North Denmark, 9000

Other trials in Denmark

About this study

Official title: [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT: The Dagnostic Accuracy for Primary Staging and Re-staging After Chemotherapy in Patients With Gastric and Gastro-esophageal Junctional Cancer

Twenty (n=20) patients with gastric cancer or gastro-esophageal junctional cancer will undergo FAPI PET/CTs in addition to routing diagnostic workup (including FDG PET/CT) at primary staging and restaging.

The FAPI PET/CT results will be compared to conventional imaging (including FDG PET/CT) using histopathology as reference standard, and the diagnostic accuracy will be determined. FAP-immunohistochemistry will be conducted in surgical specimens. FAPI PET/CT's impact on patient management and the prognostic value of FAPI PET/CT will be evaluated.

Read the detailed description

A new and promising PET-tracer in oncology has been developed; Gallium-68 labelled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI). In general, FAPI PET/CT delivers increased sensitivity compared to 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in cancer types of mesenchymal origin (i.e., sarcomas), and in cancers characterized by a large proportion of stromal cells such as gastric and pancreatic cancers. It is currently debated whether FAPI PET/CT will take over FDG PET/CTs well-established role in oncological PET/CT, but more studies are needed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy. The clinical interest in FAPI extends beyond the use as a diagnostic tool, as the 68Ga-isotope can be replaced by a β-emitting isotope, e.g., 177-Lu or 90-Y, enabling radionuclide therapy of FAPI-avid cancers.

In recent comparative studies of FDG- and FAPI PET/CT, all primary tumors of the stomach were detected on FAPI PET, whereas the reported detection rate on FDG PET ranged from 40% to 86%. Regarding metastases, FAPI PET/CT showed comparable or better detection rate for regional lymph nodes, but outperformed FDG PET/CT in the detection of peritoneal and other distant metastases. Re-staging with FAPI PET after chemotherapy has been attempted in only a handful of patients and seems feasible.

Even though the results of FAPI PET/CT compared to conventional imaging seem convincing, there are several limitations and therefore FAPI PET/CT is not yet implemented in cancer diagnostics.

The investigators are conducting a prospective explorative study complying with the Standard for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) criteria where 20 patients with gastric cancer or gastro-eophageal junctional cancer are recruited.

Study subject will undergo FAPI PET/CT at primary staging (before treatment, i.e., neoadjuvant chemotherapy or surgery) and at restaging (after neoadjuvant chemotherapy - before surgery) in addition to routing diagnostic workup (including FDG PET/CT). The FAPI PET/CT will be blinded and the choice of treatment will not be influence by the FAPI PET/CT results'. The additional scans will not interfere with or delay routine diagnostic workup or treatment.

The FAPI PET/CTs (at primary staging and restaging) will be compared to the corresponding FDG PET/CTs, and histopathology of biopsied material and surgical specimens will serve as reference standard. FAPI PET/CTs before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy will be assessed and compared to the FDG PET/CTs. FAP-immunohistochemistry will be conducted in surgical specimens. A tentative retrospective Multi-Disciplinary Team conference (MDT) will be arranged where treating clinicans are presented the FAPI PET/CT, and potential changes in patient management will be evaluated. This tentative MDT will not influence patient management. Follow up will be conducted for 10 years to evaluate the prognostic value of FAPI PET/CT.

Being tested
68Ga-FAPi-46
Keywords
PET/CT, Cancer, Fibroblast activation protein inhibitor, FAPI, FAPI PET/CT
Medical subject headings
Stomach Neoplasms, Neoplasms

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • 68Ga-FAPi-46Drug

    Gastric or gatro-esophageal junction cancer patients undergo 68Ga-FAPi-46 PET/CT at primary staging and at restaging

Study groups in NCT05898854
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Gastric or gastro-esophageal junctioncancerExperimentalPatients with biopsy verified gastric or gastro-esophageal junction cancer undergo FAPI PET/CT in addition to conventional imaging
Receives: Drug: 68Ga-FAPi-46

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Diagnostic accuracy

    Compare the FAPI PET/CT and FDG PET/CT findings in primary tumor, regional lymph nodes and distant metastases to a histopathological reference standard where the sensitivity, specificity, positive predicative value, and negative predicative values of the PET/CTs are determined, both at primary staging and at restaging

    Measured: 1.5 years

  2. Staging

    Compare the cancer stage (according to AJCC 8th edition TNM-classification) as determined by FAPI PET/CT compared to conventional imaging (including FDG PET/CT) at primary staging and at restaging (after neoadjuvant chemotherapy). The proportion of patients downstaged, unchanged stage, and upstaged, due to the added FAPI PET/CT are determined.

    Measured: 1.5 years

  3. Patient management

    Investigate what proportion of patients will be (hypothetically) treated differently due to an added FAPI PET/CT at primary staging and at restaging (after neoadjuvant chemotherapy) by the treating clinicians

    Measured: 1.5 - 2 years

Secondary outcomes (5)

  1. Uptake values

    Standardized uptake value (SUV) and tumor to background ratio (TBR) values for primary, regional lymph nodes, and distant metastases for FAPI PET/CT and compare these values to FDG PET/CT, both at primary staging and at restaging (after neoadjuvant chemotherapy)

    Measured: 1.5 years

  2. Chemotherapy effect on uptake values

    Changes in SUV and TBR in primary, regional lymph nodes, and distant metastases for FAPI PET/CT - from before to after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and compare these values to the FDG PET/CT parameters.

    Measured: 1.5 - 2 years

  3. Unexpected FAPI PET/CT findings

    Seek supplementary information in medical records, biochemistry, pathology, or other imaging modalities for a final diagnosis/condition in cases of unexpected FAPI PET/CT findings not related to the known cancer

    Measured: 1 -2 years

  4. Interobserver readability

    Conduct an interobserver study of FAPI PET/CTs performed in the present and other future FAPI PET/CT in cancers studies.

    Measured: 4 years

  5. Prognostic value

    Investigate the prognostic value of FAPI PET/CT versus FDG PET/CT by conducting a 10 years follow up on included cancer patients. Overall survival (OS) and Recurrence free survival (RFS) will be estimated

    Measured: 10 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Jun 2023
  2. Study start15 Feb 2024
  3. Primary completion18 Dec 2025
  4. Study completion18 Dec 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Model description
Twenty consecutive patients newly diagnosed with gastric or gastro-esophageal junction cancer are recruited.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
20 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05898854
Sponsor's protocol ID
EU CTIS no.: 2023-505916-40-01
Other IDs
2023-505916-40-00, 2023
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
2 Jun 2023
Last updated
30 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Kratochwil C, Flechsig P, Lindner T, Abderrahim L, Altmann A, Mier W, Adeberg S, Rathke H, Rohrich M, Winter H, Plinkert PK, Marme F, Lang M, Kauczor HU, Jager D, Debus J, Haberkorn U, Giesel FL. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT: Tracer Uptake in 28 Different Kinds of Cancer. J Nucl Med. 2019 Jun;60(6):801-805. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.119.227967. Epub 2019 Apr 6.

    PubMed 30954939

  • Lindner T, Loktev A, Altmann A, Giesel F, Kratochwil C, Debus J, Jager D, Mier W, Haberkorn U. Development of Quinoline-Based Theranostic Ligands for the Targeting of Fibroblast Activation Protein. J Nucl Med. 2018 Sep;59(9):1415-1422. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.118.210443. Epub 2018 Apr 6.

    PubMed 29626119

  • Kessler L, Ferdinandus J, Hirmas N, Bauer S, Dirksen U, Zarrad F, Nader M, Chodyla M, Milosevic A, Umutlu L, Schuler M, Podleska LE, Schildhaus HU, Fendler WP, Hamacher R. 68Ga-FAPI as a Diagnostic Tool in Sarcoma: Data from the 68Ga-FAPI PET Prospective Observational Trial. J Nucl Med. 2022 Jan;63(1):89-95. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.121.262096. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

    PubMed 33931468

  • Rohrich M, Naumann P, Giesel FL, Choyke PL, Staudinger F, Wefers A, Liew DP, Kratochwil C, Rathke H, Liermann J, Herfarth K, Jager D, Debus J, Haberkorn U, Lang M, Koerber SA. Impact of 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT Imaging on the Therapeutic Management of Primary and Recurrent Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas. J Nucl Med. 2021 Jun 1;62(6):779-786. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.120.253062. Epub 2020 Oct 23.

    PubMed 33097632

  • Dendl K, Schlittenhardt J, Staudinger F, Kratochwil C, Altmann A, Haberkorn U, Giesel FL. The Role of Fibroblast Activation Protein Ligands in Oncologic PET Imaging. PET Clin. 2021 Jul;16(3):341-351. doi: 10.1016/j.cpet.2021.03.012.

    PubMed 34053578

  • Pang Y, Zhao L, Luo Z, Hao B, Wu H, Lin Q, Sun L, Chen H. Comparison of 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG Uptake in Gastric, Duodenal, and Colorectal Cancers. Radiology. 2021 Feb;298(2):393-402. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2020203275. Epub 2020 Dec 1.

    PubMed 33258746

  • Qin C, Song Y, Gai Y, Ruan W, Liu Q, Liu F, Zheng D, Zhang P, Liu H, Zhang T, Tao K, Lan X. Gallium-68-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor PET in gastrointestinal cancer: insights into diagnosis and management. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2022 Oct;49(12):4228-4240. doi: 10.1007/s00259-022-05847-0. Epub 2022 Jun 3.

    PubMed 35657428

  • Qin C, Shao F, Gai Y, Liu Q, Ruan W, Liu F, Hu F, Lan X. 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/MR in the Evaluation of Gastric Carcinomas: Comparison with 18F-FDG PET/CT. J Nucl Med. 2022 Jan;63(1):81-88. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.120.258467. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

    PubMed 33863819

  • Gundogan C, Komek H, Can C, Yildirim OA, Kaplan I, Erdur E, Poyraz K, Guzel Y, Oruc Z, Cakabay B. Comparison of 18F-FDG PET/CT and 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT in the staging and restaging of gastric adenocarcinoma. Nucl Med Commun. 2022 Jan 1;43(1):64-72. doi: 10.1097/MNM.0000000000001489.

    PubMed 34661379

  • Jiang D, Chen X, You Z, Wang H, Zhang X, Li X, Ren S, Huang Q, Hua F, Guan Y, Zhao J, Xie F. Comparison of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [18F]-FDG for the detection of primary and metastatic lesions in patients with gastric cancer: a bicentric retrospective study. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2022 Jan;49(2):732-742. doi: 10.1007/s00259-021-05441-w. Epub 2021 Jul 23.

    PubMed 34297193

  • Alan-Selcuk N, Ergen S, Demirci E, Ocak M, Kabasakal L. [68Ga]DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT imaging in a case of a signet ring cell carcinoma of stomach. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2021 Dec;48(13):4523-4524. doi: 10.1007/s00259-021-05213-6. Epub 2021 Jun 19. No abstract available.

    PubMed 34148117

  • Fan C, Guo W, Su G, Chen B, Chen H. Widespread Metastatic Gastric Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma Shown by 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT. Clin Nucl Med. 2021 Feb 1;46(2):e78-e79. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000003245.

    PubMed 32804764

  • Bossuyt PM, Reitsma JB, Bruns DE, Gatsonis CA, Glasziou PP, Irwig L, Lijmer JG, Moher D, Rennie D, de Vet HC, Kressel HY, Rifai N, Golub RM, Altman DG, Hooft L, Korevaar DA, Cohen JF; STARD Group. STARD 2015: an updated list of essential items for reporting diagnostic accuracy studies. BMJ. 2015 Oct 28;351:h5527. doi: 10.1136/bmj.h5527.

    PubMed 26511519

  • Bentestuen M, Al-Obaydi N, Zacho HD. FAPI-avid nonmalignant PET/CT findings: An expedited systematic review. Semin Nucl Med. 2023 Sep;53(5):694-705. doi: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2023.02.001. Epub 2023 Feb 20.

    PubMed 36813670

  • Meyer C, Dahlbom M, Lindner T, Vauclin S, Mona C, Slavik R, Czernin J, Haberkorn U, Calais J. Radiation Dosimetry and Biodistribution of 68Ga-FAPI-46 PET Imaging in Cancer Patients. J Nucl Med. 2020 Aug;61(8):1171-1177. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.119.236786. Epub 2019 Dec 13.

    PubMed 31836685

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing 68Ga-FAPi-46 in people with Gastric Cancer and Gastro Esophageal Junctional Cancer, run by Aalborg University Hospital at 1 site in Denmark.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Denmark. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Diagnostic accuracy (time frame: 1.5 years). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05898854, which also lists 15 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Dec 2025.

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