New PET tracer aims to spy on immune cells fighting cancer
NCT ID NCT04260256
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tested whether a new PET imaging tracer called [18F]F-AraG could track immune T cells inside tumors of patients with advanced solid cancers who were receiving immunotherapy. Nine patients were enrolled to have PET scans and tumor biopsies before and after treatment. The goal was to see if changes in the tracer signal matched changes in immune cell levels in the tumor, which could eventually help doctors monitor treatment response without invasive biopsies.
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 imaging method could help doctors see whether immunotherapy is working in tumors without needing repeated biopsies.
What could go wrong
This was a very small pilot study (only 9 patients) that was terminated early, so results are limited. The tracer's ability to predict treatment benefit is still unproven.
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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Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States
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Stanford University
Stanford, California, 94305, United States