New PET tracer aims to catch a dangerous transplant complication early
NCT ID NCT03367962
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small Phase 1 study tested whether a radioactive tracer called [18F]F-AraG can help detect graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) using PET scans. GVHD is a serious condition where donor immune cells attack the recipient's body after a stem cell transplant. The study involved 9 patients who were either suspected of having acute GVHD or at high risk for it. Researchers compared the PET scan images with biopsy results to see if the tracer could identify areas of T cell activity linked to the disease.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
[18F]F-AraG (a radioactive tracer for PET scans)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could lead to a non-invasive way to detect graft-versus-host disease earlier and more accurately than current methods.
What could go wrong
This was a very small, early-phase study with only 9 participants, and it did not include healthy volunteers as planned. The results may not apply to all patients, and the tracer is not yet proven as a reliable diagnostic tool.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Stanford Hospital
Stanford, California, 94305, United States