FPIA Study (NCITA Exemplar 1)

FPIA Study: Investigating short-chain fatty acid uptake in glioma and other cancers using positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT)

What is the purpose of this study?

In this study, we are using an [¹⁸F]-fluoropivalate (FPIA) PET/CT scan to determine which cancers use fatty acids for energy production and if we can measure it. We hope that information from this study will provide us with important information to help us understand more about how cancers grow, so that we can develop new medical tests in the future.

Why is this research being done?

Cancers have increased energy demands to allow for their rapid growth compared to healthy cells. Glucose is the main source of energy for many cells in the body, and we routinely use a scan which looks at glucose metabolism to assess if a cancer treatment is working. However, some cancer cells can create energy to survive and grow in a different way, using fatty acids. Fatty acids are the building blocks of the fat in our bodies, and they have important functions, including energy storage. In addition to glucose, cancers can use fatty acids for energy. We are using [¹⁸F]-FPIA PET/CT to look at a variety of cancer types and determine which cancers use fatty acids for energy production, with the view to developing new medical tests that can help doctor’s better check the spread of cancer throughout the entire body, aid diagnosis and show the how well a patient’s disease is responding to treatment.

What are the benefits of taking part in the study?

The study uses [¹⁸F]-FPIA PET/CT scans to determine which cancer types use fatty acids for energy production. Participants will not directly benefit from taking part in this study. However, the study may benefit patients in the future because the information we gather could lead to further research studies and allow for better imaging and surveillance of cancer.

Who is being included in the study?

We are planning to enrol 21 patients diagnosed with cancerous tumours that are due to have surgery from Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Each participant will be offered two research PET/CT scans, on two separate visits (between 2-15 days apart), prior to their surgery. Where two scans cannot be accommodated prior to the patient’s surgery date, a single scan will be performed.   

What is the status of the study?

The FPIA study is currently recruiting patients.

Who is carrying out the study?

The study is being conducted by University College London, in collaboration with Imperial College London.  The study is sponsored by University College London and is funded by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the National Cancer Imaging and Translational Accelerator (NCITA).

If I have any questions, who can I contact?

For more information, see the FPIA study record on ClinicalTrials.gov: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04717674

You can also contact us by email at ncita.fpia@ucl.ac.uk