Innovative Noninvasive PET Imaging Technique Enhances Insulinoma Diagnosis

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a groundbreaking noninvasive diagnostic approach for insulinomas, rare hormone-producing tumors of the pancreas that can cause severe hypoglycemia. Traditional methods for locating insulinomas, such as CT, MRI, and ultrasonography, often fall short in sensitivity or require invasive procedures, creating a significant clinical challenge.

The novel technique utilizes a specially designed positron emission tomography (PET) probe targeting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, which are highly expressed on insulinoma cells. This approach was tested in a Phase II clinical trial involving 12 patients experiencing hypoglycemia with suspected insulinomas. The results demonstrated perfect diagnostic accuracy, with the PET probe outperforming conventional imaging modalities in sensitivity and detection of difficult-to-diagnose cases.

Following imaging, all identified lesions were surgically removed and confirmed as insulinomas. Post-surgery, patients experienced complete resolution of hypoglycemic symptoms, confirming the technique's clinical effectiveness. This promising method not only improves localization accuracy but also has potential applications in diagnosing related conditions such as nesidioblastosis and in monitoring disease progression in diabetes.

The goal is to see this innovative imaging technique adopted globally, reducing diagnostic delays and ensuring precise treatment strategies for insulinoma patients. This advancement marks a significant step toward safer, more accurate, and less invasive diagnostics in pancreatic tumor detection.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-noninvasive-method-insulinomas.html