Purpose

Between 10% and 15% of patients with endogenous hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome) have ectopic (non-pituitary) production of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) that causes cortisol excess. In approximately 50% of these patients, the tumoral source of ACTH cannot be found initially despite very detailed and extensive imaging, including studies such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and octreotide scan (Octreoscan) using the standard dose of indium- 111 pentetreotide ([111In-DTPA-D-Phe]-pentetreotide). The sensitivity and specificity of structurally based imaging studies depends on anatomic alterations and the size of the tumor. In contrast, positron emission tomography (PET) and somatostatin ligand imaging detect pathologic tissue based on physiologic and biochemical processes within the abnormal tissue. This protocol tests the ability of [18F]-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-DOPA) PET, and the somatostatin imaging analogue, 68Ga-DOTATATE-PET, to localize the source of ectopic ACTH production.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 80 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: - 18 - 90 years of age - Medical history of ectopic Cushing syndrome or diagnosed with the possibility of ectopic Cushing syndrome - For females of reproductive potential: agreement to use highly effective contraception for at least 2 weeks before any PET scan - Ability of subject to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document - Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: - Pregnancy or lactation; the radiation associated with PET and CT scans may be harmful to a developing fetus. Likewise the ingestion of radionuclides in breast milk has an unknown risk to an infant. - Evidence of severe active infection - Clinically significantly impaired cardiovascular function, abnormal coagulation in the absence of medically-indicated treatment (PT and PTT elevated by 30% above the normal values), hematopoietic (hematocrit less than 30%, hemoglobin below 10 g/dl, white count below 3000 K/UL, and platelets below 100,000 K/mm^3), hepatic (liver enzymes elevated by 4-fold above normal values), or renal function (plasma creatinine level over 2.1). - Based on the clinical judgment of the attending physician, other medical problems may prompt exclusion. - Body weight over 136 kg, which is the limit for the tables used in the scanning areas. - Combined blood withdrawal during the six weeks preceding the study greater than 450 ml. - Subjects who previously underwent ten or more F-DOPA PET/CT scans and ten or more DOTATATE scans.

Study Design

Phase
Phase 2
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Diagnostic
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Imaging
All subjects will be imaged
  • Radiation: DOTATATE PET-CT
    68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT
  • Radiation: F-DOPA PET CT
    68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT
  • Radiation: CT scan
    routine CT scan
  • Diagnostic Test: Routine MRI scan
    routine 1.5 or 3T MRI scan
  • Diagnostic Test: Gated MRI scan
    Cardiac gated MRI scan
  • Drug: 68Ga-DOTATATE
    68Ga-DOTATATE radioligand
  • Drug: 18F-DOPA
    18F-DOPA radioligand

Recruiting Locations

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland 20892

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Study Contact

Raven N McGlotten, R.N.
(301) 827-0190
mcglottenr@mail.nih.gov

Detailed Description

Study Description: Between 10% and 15% of patients with endogenous hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome) have ectopic (non-pituitary) production of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) that causes cortisol excess. In approximately 50% of these patients, the tumoral source of ACTH cannot be found initially despite very detailed and extensive imaging, including studies such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and octreotide scan (Octreoscan) using the standard dose of indium- 111 pentetreotide ([111In-DTPA-D-Phe]-pentetreotide). The sensitivity and specificity of structurally based imaging studies depends on anatomic alterations and the size of the tumor. In contrast, positron emission tomography (PET) and somatostatin ligand imaging detect pathologic tissue based on physiologic and biochemical processes within the abnormal tissue. This protocol tests the ability of [18F]-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-DOPA) PET, and the somatostatin imaging analogue, 68Ga-DOTATATE-PET, to localize the source of ectopic ACTH production. Objectives: Primary Objectives: - To determine which imaging technique (F-DOPA PET/CT, 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT, standard CT, and/or standard MRI) has the best sensitivity. - To determine if there is a combination of imaging tests with optimal diagnostic accuracy. Secondary Objective: -To evaluate a potential correlation between 18F-DOPA or 68Ga-DOTATATE uptake and the type of tumor, its size, SSTR expression or proliferative activity. Exploratory Objectives: - To evaluate the ability of gated cardiac imaging with CT and MRI to improve the detection of retrocardiac lung lesions. - To determine whether PET scans at an interval of less than one year localize tumors. Endpoints: Primary Endpoint: -Imaging results and pathology of resected tumors Secondary Endpoints: -18F-DOPA or 68Ga-DOTATATE imaging results, tumor pathology, tumor size, proliferative index and SSTR expression. Exploratory Endpoints: - Gated cardiac imaging CT and/or MRI; all other imaging results, tumor pathology. - Imaging results and pathology of resected tumors.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.