Head and Neck Cancer: Advanced PET/CT and MRI Imaging with a Focus on Current and Emerging Molecular Theranostics

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 1874

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of SOM-RAD General Operations, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
Interests: PET/SPECT/CT molecular imaging; radionuclide therapy; genitourinary oncology imaging

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Guest Editor
Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Interests: molecular imaging using radiotracers to diagnose diseases; nuclear medicine

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Guest Editor
Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Interests: radiology;nuclear medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A rapidly developing paradigm in cancer therapy involves the use of highly specific molecularly targeted agents for both PET imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy; this is commonly referred to as theranostics. We first review the current means of imaging squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck using both anatomical imaging and FDG PET, followed by contemporary treatment options. This provides a perspective of where more specific PET imaging and therapy could potentially play a role in advancing patients’ care. We then review the current imaging and therapy used to treat thyroid cancer, followed by how the emerging radiotracers could help. Paragangliomas, rare neuroendocrine tumors of the head and neck, show promising results with targeted somatostatin receptor imaging using DOTATATE. An exciting new class of targeting agents, Fibrinogen Activating Protein inhibitors (FAPi), have shown promising results for imaging squamous cell carcinomas, in addition to many other tumors. Finally, we look at several promising radiotracer ligands under development.

The topics of interest include:

  1. The anatomic imaging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with CT and MRI;
  2. A review of the radiographic response assessment criteria for head and neck cancer;
  3. The use of FDG PET for the staging and re-staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma;
  4. The current treatment options for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas;
  5. The current radioiodine therapy used to treat the thyroid;
  6. The emerging radiotracers used to image thyroid cancer;
  7. The role of PET in imaging uncommon head and neck cancers: paraganglioma imaging with DOTATATE PET;
  8. New radiotracers used to treat head and neck cancer: focus on Fibrinogen Activating Protein ligands;
  9. A look at the potential theranostic applications in head and neck cancer.

Prof. Dr. Bennett Chin
Dr. Jorge Oldan
Prof. Dr. Steven P. Rowe
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • head and neck cancer
  • thyroid cancer
  • PET/SPECT/CT molecular imaging
  • radionuclide therapy
  • nuclear medicine

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

18 pages, 318 KiB  
Review
Review of Current and Future Medical Treatments in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
by Aaron M. Lee, Alice N. Weaver, Phillip Acosta, Lauren Harris and Daniel W. Bowles
Cancers 2024, 16(20), 3488; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16203488 - 15 Oct 2024
Viewed by 778
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a complex cancer requiring a multidisciplinary approach. For patients with locally or regionally advanced disease, surgery and/or radiation are the cornerstones of definitive treatment. Medical therapy plays an important adjunct role in this setting, typically [...] Read more.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a complex cancer requiring a multidisciplinary approach. For patients with locally or regionally advanced disease, surgery and/or radiation are the cornerstones of definitive treatment. Medical therapy plays an important adjunct role in this setting, typically consisting of a platinum-based regimen given as induction, concurrent, or adjuvant treatment. While relapsed/metastatic HNSCC has historically been a difficult-to-treat disease with poor outcomes, options have considerably improved with the incorporation of biologics and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Clinical trials are ongoing to investigate novel approaches, including new and combination immunotherapies, targeted therapies, therapeutic vaccines, antibody–drug conjugates, and cellular therapies. The results thus far have been mixed, highlighting the knowledge gaps that continue to challenge the medical oncologist treating HNSCC. Here, we present the most updated and broad review of the current treatment landscape in both locoregional and metastatic HNSCC and discuss the expansive future medical therapies under investigation. Full article
18 pages, 14297 KiB  
Review
Radiographic Response Assessments and Standardized Imaging Interpretation Criteria in Head and Neck Cancer on FDG PET/CT: A Narrative Review
by Jennifer A. Schroeder, Jorge D. Oldan, Valerie L. Jewells and Paul M. Bunch
Cancers 2024, 16(16), 2900; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16162900 - 21 Aug 2024
Viewed by 701
Abstract
Introduction: There is growing interest in the development and application of standardized imaging criteria (SIC), to minimize variability and improve the reproducibility of image interpretation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: “Squamous cell carcinoma” AND “standardized interpretation criteria” OR “radiographic [...] Read more.
Introduction: There is growing interest in the development and application of standardized imaging criteria (SIC), to minimize variability and improve the reproducibility of image interpretation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: “Squamous cell carcinoma” AND “standardized interpretation criteria” OR “radiographic response assessment” were searched using PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published between 2009 and 2024, returning 56 publications. After abstract review, 18 were selected for further evaluation, and 6 different SICs (i.e., PERCIST, Porceddu, Hopkins, NI-RADS, modified Deauville, and Cuneo) were included in this review. Each SIC is evaluated in the context of 8 desired traits of a standardized reporting system. Results: Two SICs have societal endorsements (i.e., PERCIST, NI-RADS); four can be used in the evaluation of locoregional and systemic disease (i.e., PERCIST, Hopkins, NI-RADS, Cuneo), and four have specific categories for equivocal imaging results (i.e., Porceddu, NI-RADS, modified Deauville, and Cuneo). All demonstrated areas for future improvement in the context of the 8 desired traits. Conclusion: Multiple SICs have been developed for and demonstrated value in HNSCC post-treatment imaging; however, these systems remain underutilized. Selecting an SIC with features that best match the needs of one’s practice is expected to maximize the likelihood of successful implementation. Full article
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