Work

68Ga-FAP-targeted PET/CT from Türkiye: a scoping review of original studies, case-based publications, and emerging clinical indications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: To map and characterize the Turkish literature on fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeted PET/CT, including original studies and case-based publications, and to identify the principal tumor types, clinical applications, comparative findings, emerging indications, and interpretive pitfalls reported to date. A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, TR Dizin, Embase, and Scopus to identify Türkiye-based publications on FAP-targeted PET imaging, with a predefined publication cutoff of May 31, 2026. Original studies and case-based publications were eligible, whereas reviews and conference/meeting abstracts without full-text publication were excluded. Eligible publications were charted according to study design, tracer, comparator, tumor type, clinical indication, principal imaging findings, complementary diagnostic value, and reported limitations or interpretive pitfalls. A total of 88 eligible publications were identified, including 33 original studies and 55 case-based publications, comprising 1148 reported patient/case entries, which may include overlapping cohorts from the same centers. The literature was concentrated mainly in gastrointestinal malignancies, peritoneal disease, breast cancer, and selected metastatic or receptor-discordant clinical settings. Recurrent themes included improved lesion conspicuity in tumors with low ^18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avidity or prominent stromal features, additional detection of peritoneal, hepatic, nodal, and osseous disease in selected cohorts, and complementary value in cases with equivocal or discordant findings on established PET tracers. Case-based publications also highlighted important interpretive pitfalls, including inflammatory, fibrotic, benign stromal, and physiological FAP-targeted tracer uptake. The Turkish literature suggests that FAP-targeted PET/CT may serve as a selective, question-driven imaging tool rather than a universal replacement for FDG, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), or DOTATATE PET/CT. Mapping the clinical settings in which FAP-targeted PET/CT has shown potential added or complementary value may help define areas for further investigation and inform future clinical implementation, particularly in indications where established PET agents may be insufficient for staging, treatment selection, or response assessment.

Source: BMC Medical Imaging

DOI: 10.1186/s12880-026-03038-z

Authors: Seckin Bilgic, Irem Koroglu, Eray Alper

Institutions: Bursa Uludağ Üni̇versi̇tesi̇, Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, S.B.Ü. Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi

Language: English

Topic: Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis

Subfield: Biochemistry

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,090