This study aimed to examine the expression of RGD binding integrins in patients of elevated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level with negative radioiodine scintigraphy (TENIS) employing 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET-CT.

This was a prospective study involving 30 proven cases of TENIS with histopathological diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma post-surgery. In addition to observing the lesional concentration on 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET-CT, a 4-point visual grading system (grade I–IV), was undertaken to estimate the degree of radiotracer avidity, for potential of theranostics.

On 18F-FDG-PET/CT, the uptake was seen in 182 lesions out of a total of 200 (91%). 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET-CT showed expression in a total of 110/200 (55%) lesions. On patient-specific analysis, 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET-CT was positive for the disease in 21/30 patients (70%) and negative in 9/30 (30%) patients. The overall patient-specific sensitivity and specificity of 68Ga-NODAGA-RGDPET-CT were 75% and 100%, respectively. 18F-FDG PET-CT was positive for the disease in 26/30 patients (86.66%) and negative in 4/30 (13.33%) patients. The overall patient-specific sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG-PET/CT were 92.86% and 100%, respectively. The 4-point visual grading system revealed 14/200 (7%) lesions demonstrating Grade I uptake, 49/200 (24.5%) lesions grade II uptake, 17/200 (8.5%) lesions grade III uptake and 40/200 (20%) lesions grade IV uptake.

The results suggested that RGD-binding integrin is expressed in a sizeable fraction of metastatic lesions of TENIS cases, albeit demonstrating a varying degree of uptake. Out of the soft tissue, lung, and bone lesions, metastatic bone lesions showed more RGD affinity than other sites. The patients with substantial RGD uptake on a 4-point visual grading system may be potential targets for RGD–based therapy.