Positron Emission Tomography Using [18F]-Labeled Substance P Antagonist Receptor Quantifier in Finding Disease in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

• Determine whether [18F]-labeled substance P antagonist receptor quantifier positron emission tomography can identify pancreatic cancer evident on multiphase CT scan.

OUTLINE: Patients undergo multiphase CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. No more than 15 days later, patients receive [18F]-labeled substance P antagonist receptor quantifier IV and undergo positron emission tomography over 6 hours.

Blood is collected periodically to measure the metabolism of the radiotracer by high performance liquid chromatography with radioactive detectors.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

• Primary or metastatic disease
• At least one site of measurable disease
• Enrolled in an NCI protocol (either a treatment or screening protocol) such as NCI-05-C-0044 or NCI-05-C-0141

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria

• ECOG performance status 0-2
• WBC ≥ 1,200/mm³
• Creatinine < 2.0 mg/dL
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must agree to use effective contraception
• Not pregnant or nursing

Exclusion criteria

• Allergy to IV contrast
• Claustrophobia that would preclude completion of a scan or unable to lie on one's back for positron emission tomography scan

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Inclusion criteria

• More than 4 weeks since prior abdominal surgery

Exclusion criteria

• Prior participation in other research protocols within the past year such that a radiation exposure together with the present study would exceed the annual limits
• Aprepitant within 72 hours of [18F]-labeled substance P antagonist receptor quantifier positron emission tomography