Advanced PET Imaging Enables Precise Detection of Nasopharyngeal Cancer Biomarkers

A new immuno-PET/CT imaging technique has successfully identified and validated CD70 as a powerful biomarker for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). CD70 is consistently and strongly expressed in NPC tumors, and imaging that targets this biomarker has proven highly effective in detecting both primary and metastatic NPC lesions. The findings, published in the June issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, may significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and support more personalized treatment approaches for NPC patients.

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare form of head and neck cancer located in the upper throat, behind the nose and near the base of the skull. Although uncommon globally, it occurs more frequently in regions such as South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. NPC is closely linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common herpesvirus known for causing mononucleosis, and much of the ongoing research explores this connection.

“We know that the biomarker CD70 is crucial in the immune response to EBV infection,” noted Weijun Wei, MD, PhD, associate research professor in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Renji Hospital School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, in Shanghai, China. “Since many NPC cases are associated with EBV infection, we sought to further investigate the role and diagnostic potential of this biomarker.”

In the study, CD70 expression was analyzed in 80 archived NPC specimens and correlated with clinical and pathologic features. Using ¹⁸F-RCCB6, a single-domain antibody–derived tracer specific for human CD70, the diagnostic efficacy of ¹⁸F-RCCB6 immuno-PET/CT was assessed in 25 patients with NPC and compared with that of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT.

“These findings are critical for improving NPC management,” noted Wei. “¹⁸F-RCCB6 immuno-PET/CT offers precise detection of primary tumors, metastases, and recurrent lesions, reducing false positives from inflammatory uptake seen with ¹⁸F-FDG. This accuracy can enhance radiotherapy planning and guide personalized therapies, such as CD70-targeted immunotherapies. For patients, this translates to earlier detection, reduced overtreatment, and better prognostication.”