Exploratory Evaluation of Simultaneous Cardiac PET/MR, Metabolomic Markers and Circulating DNA as Possible Prognostic Markers in Identifying Patients Developing Transient or Permanent Cardiopulmonary Dysfunctions After Radiotherapy

RT is a well-known and established therapy or adjuvant therapy for the treatment of thoracic malignancies (breast cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma and others). It usually uses high energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays or other charged particles to induce DNA damage in malignant cells. Despite the measures taken to reduce the total radiation dose and to limit the radiation to normal tissues, the signs and symptoms of radiation induced cardiopulmonary dysfunction (RICPD) still persist. However, in the majority of cases, it remains unclear which cardiopulmonary damage is the main /leading cause for the clinical symptoms the patients are experiencing.

Hybrid PET/MRI is a promising technique that allows for truly simultaneous molecular, anatomic and functional imaging of the cardiopulmonary system. The simultaneity is an important aspect in this proposed study since only parameters measured at the same time in PET and MR can be used for an integrated, multimodality parameter for possible detection and prognostication of the different underlying processes of cardiopulmonary dysfunction after RT. Furthermore, certain PET-uptake of the RV have to be corrected for RV mass which is only possible with concomitant anatomical imaging. MR imaging and PET at different time point are not accurately reflective of the underlying pathophysiological pathways and metabolic state at the specific time points pre- and post radiotherapy. To our knowledge, there are no online publications of its use in the diagnosis and prognostication of cardiopulmonary dysfunction after RT and specifically PH.