CA9 PET SCANS:
RESEARCHING A NONINVASIVE WAY TO POTENTIALLY DIAGNOSE
ccRCC
Doctors cannot accurately diagnose clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) with CT and MRI alone.1 However, a different way to identify this kidney cancer type may give doctors a clearer picture.
Scientists are studying specific proteins that can be signs of abnormal processes happening in the body.2 Testing for proteins might not be helpful for everyone, but for people with kidney cancer, a protein called CA9 (or CAIX) can be useful in guiding treatment decisions.3,4
CA9, or carbonic anhydrase 9 (pronounced car-bon-ik an-hi-drase 9), is a protein that is present in up to 95% of all ccRCC tumors and, when detected, may help doctors learn more about the disease. CA9 appears much less in other types of kidney cancer and is less likely to be found in normal kidney tissue.4
Doctors could soon have access to a new kind of imaging called a CA9 PET scan. This scan may be available shortly, subject to regulatory approval. If approved, under the supervision of a physician, this type of scan could help identify ccRCC sooner, with more accuracy, and potentially without the need for surgery or a biopsy.5 CA9 PET scans use an injectable tracer that moves throughout the body and binds to tumors with the CA9 protein.2,5
