Meta-analysis finds [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET shows high diagnostic accuracy for gynecologic cancers

A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET imaging compared to [18F]F-FDG PET imaging in 253 females with breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers. The primary outcome was diagnostic efficacy for detecting primary tumors and lymph node metastasis. The study setting and follow-up duration were not reported.

For detecting primary tumors, [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET showed a diagnostic odds ratio of 48.69 (95% CI: 16.94-139.96), indicating high diagnostic accuracy. For detecting lymph node metastasis, the diagnostic odds ratio was 207.50 (95% CI: 46.18-932.34), also suggesting high accuracy. Absolute numbers of true positives, false positives, true negatives, and false negatives were not reported for either outcome.

Safety and tolerability data were not reported. The authors propose [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET as a supplementary technique to [18F]F-FDG PET for cancer staging, treatment response assessment, and radiation therapy planning. Key limitations include the small total sample size, lack of reported absolute diagnostic performance metrics, and absence of safety data. The funding sources and potential conflicts of interest were not reported.

This meta-analysis provides preliminary evidence for the diagnostic potential of a novel imaging agent. The high odds ratios warrant further investigation in larger, prospective studies with direct comparison of diagnostic performance metrics. Clinicians should interpret these findings cautiously due to the limited evidence base and lack of safety information.