Background:
A radiotracer (or tracer) is a radioactive substance. It is used in Positron Emission
Tomography (PET) imaging to help see specific sites in the body. Researchers want to learn if
a new tracer can help them better identify hepatocellular cancer (HCC) in people.
Objective:
To learn if a radiotracer called 18F-DCFPyL can identify sites of HCC better than current
standard imaging.
Eligibility:
Adults aged 18 years and older who may have HCC based on previous standard imaging.
Design:
Participants will be screened with a medical history, physical exam, and blood tests. They
will have a computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Participants will have a whole-body PET/CT scan. The PET and CT scanners use x-rays to make
pictures of the inside of the body. The PET uses a tracer to help make the pictures.
Participants will get an intravenous (IV) injection of 18F-DCFPyL 1 hour before the scan.
Within two weeks, participants will have a 18F-FDG PET/CT scan. 18F-FDG is a commonly used
tracer. They will get 18F-FDG via IV 1 hour before the scan.
Participants will have a CT/MRI within 2 months of the first 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT.
Participants will have standard treatment for their cancer (ablation therapy). During
treatment, they will have a tumor biopsy. If the biopsy shows they do not have HCC, they will
be removed from the study.
For participants who have HCC and their cancer was identified in the 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT, they
will have a second 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT.
Participants will have follow-up visits every 3 months for 2 years. Then they will have
yearly visits for 3 years.