# The Role of 68Ga-Pentixafor and 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT in a Case of Multiple Myeloma

**Authors:** Abhishek Kumar, Tamojit Chaudhuri, Manisha Pradhan, Purshottam Singh, Binay Gupta

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.101195 · Cureus · 2026-01-09

## TL;DR

This case report compares two PET imaging techniques, 18F-FDG and 68Ga-Pentixafor, for staging multiple myeloma, a blood cancer affecting plasma cells.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in comparing FDG and CXCR4-targeted PET radiotracers in a single case of multiple myeloma.

## Key findings

- 18F-FDG PET/CT is widely used for staging multiple myeloma.
- 68Ga-Pentixafor targets CXCR4 receptors on plasma cells and is a promising alternative for MM imaging.

## Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of blood cancer affecting plasma cells in the bone marrow. The diagnosis of MM involves blood and urine tests to demonstrate monoclonal proteins. Imaging modalities such as MRI combined with positron emission tomography (PET) are used for the detection and staging of MM. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) has been used extensively for the staging of multiple myeloma. Another PET imaging modality targeting C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) has been recently evaluated for the staging of MM. CXCR4 is a protein receptor expressed on plasma cells, and the radiolabelled Pentixafor radiotracer targets these receptors and is therefore used in PET imaging. In this case report, we compare FDG and CXCR4 PET radiotracers for staging MM.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** CXCR4 (C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4)
- **Chemicals:** 68Ga-Pentixafor (PubChem CID 54575322), 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (PubChem CID 68614), 18F-FDG (PubChem CID 68614)
- **Diseases:** multiple myeloma (MONDO:0009693), MM (MONDO:0009685)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CXCR4 (C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4) [NCBI Gene 7852] {aka CD184, D2S201E, FB22, HM89, HSY3RR, LCR1}
- **Diseases:** blood cancer (MESH:D019337), MM (MESH:D009101)
- **Chemicals:** 68Ga-Pentixafor (MESH:C000597686), 18F-FDG (MESH:D019788)

## Full text

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## Figures

3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12883486/full.md

## References

14 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12883486/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12883486