Molecular Imaging Diagnosis of Renal Cancer Using <sup>99m</sup>Tc-Sestamibi SPECT/CT and Girentuximab PET-CT-Current Evidence and Future Development of Novel Techniques
Octavian Sabin Tataru,
Michele Marchioni,
Felice Crocetto,
Biagio Barone,
Giuseppe Lucarelli,
Francesco Del Giudice,
Gian Maria Busetto,
Alessandro Veccia,
Arturo Lo Giudice,
Giorgio Ivan Russo,
Stefano Luzzago,
Mattia Luca Piccinelli,
Mihai Dorin Vartolomei,
Gennaro Musi,
Matteo Ferro
Affiliations
Octavian Sabin Tataru
Institution Organizing University Doctoral Studies (I.O.S.U.D.), George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
Michele Marchioni
Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio, University of Chieti, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Felice Crocetto
Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
Biagio Barone
Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
Giuseppe Lucarelli
Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Francesco Del Giudice
Department of Maternal Infant and Urologic Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, Italy
Gian Maria Busetto
Department of Urology and Organ Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Alessandro Veccia
Urology Unit, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy
Arturo Lo Giudice
Department of Urology, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
Giorgio Ivan Russo
Department of Urology, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
Stefano Luzzago
Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
Mattia Luca Piccinelli
Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
Mihai Dorin Vartolomei
Institution Organizing University Doctoral Studies (I.O.S.U.D.), George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
Gennaro Musi
Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
Matteo Ferro
Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
Novel molecular imaging opportunities to preoperatively diagnose renal cell carcinoma is under development and will add more value in limiting the postoperative renal function loss and morbidity. We aimed to comprehensively review the research on single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) molecular imaging and to enhance the urologists’ and radiologists’ knowledge of the current research pattern. We identified an increase in prospective and also retrospective studies that researched to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions and between different clear cell renal cell carcinoma subtypes, with small numbers of patients studied, nonetheless with excellent results on specificity, sensitivity and accuracy, especially for 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT that delivers quick results compared to a long acquisition time for girentuximab PET-CT, which instead gives better image quality. Nuclear medicine has helped clinicians in evaluating primary and secondary lesions, and has lately returned with new and exciting insights with novel radiotracers to reinforce its diagnostic potential in renal carcinoma. To further limit the renal function loss and post-surgery morbidity, future research is mandatory to validate the results and to clinically implement the diagnostic techniques in the context of precision medicine.
