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CompletedNCT02165683Updated Jun 28, 2017

Use of Propranolol to Reduce FDG Uptake in Brown Adipose Tissue in Pediatric Cancer Patients PET Scans

An observational study in Pediatric Cancer, sponsored by Lars Wagner. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 12 Years to 29 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2017-06-28.

Sponsored by Lars Wagner · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Case-only
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
10
Ages
12 Years to 29 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is a single-arm, open-label study to assess the safety and effectiveness of a single dose of oral propranolol in reducing18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in brown adipose tissue (BAT) in pediatric oncology patients. This study is designed to better understand if taking a single dose of an oral medication called propranolol can reduce the chance of brown fat showing up on a PET scan, and therefore make the scan more accurate and easy to interpret. All humans have some degree of normal brown fat (called brown adipose tissue), and this normal tissue can sometimes light up on a PET scan. That creates problems because it may be wrongly interpreted by the radiologist as tumor, or it may hide true areas of tumor underneath it. Participants will not be randomized and will receive a single dose of oral propranolol approximately 60 minutes prior to the injection of the FDG tracer. The dose of propranolol will be 20 mg for all participants.

Read the detailed description

In this study, participants will be assessed in the University of Kentucky DanceBlue Pediatric Hematology/Oncology clinic to confirm they are eligible for the study. This will be done at the time intravenous (iv) access is started, either through an iv placed in the arm or through a port/central line.

All females who are capable of becoming pregnant will then undergo urine pregnancy testing. If it is found that they are pregnant they will not be allowed to be in the study. Participant blood sugar will be checked. When possible, the research blood sample will be collected at a time when routine non-research labs will be collected.

Study eligible participants will then be given a single 20 mg tablet of propranolol to take by mouth and will be escorted by a member of the medical team to the PET scan trailer, where they will be checked in and assessed. Blood sugar level will again be checked by finger stick according to the standard procedure for PET scans.

Vital signs will be assessed by a clinical research nurse at least three times while the participants are at the PET scan trailer, including twice before the scan and once immediately after the scan. The nurse will also assess for any symptoms related to the propranolol. If no problems are noted, participants will be discharged from the PET scan trailer and their tudy participation will end. If any side effects arise from the medication, the pediatric oncologist will be called immediately and appropriate treatment started. The PET scan will be assessed by the radiologist to see whether there is uptake in brown fat, as well as to see if any areas of tumor are seen.

02

Conditions studied

  • Pediatric Cancer

Keywords

  • Cancer
  • Pediatric
  • PET Scan
03

In context

Lead sponsor

This is the only study on the registry with Lars Wagner as lead sponsor.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
12 Years to 29 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Probability sample

Study population

11 Male and female participants from all races and ethnic backgrouns who are receiving treatment by the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Pediatric Oncology divsion.

Inclusion criteria

  • Individual is between 12 years and 29 years of age
  • Individual weighs over 66 pounds
  • Individual will be undergoing a FDG-PET scan as part of staging or response assessment for malignancy. Note: the patient may be newly-diagnosed, currently receiving therapy, or have already completed therapy. The presence of identifiable tumor on the PET scan is not required.
  • Individual is able to swallow a tablet

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Prior diagnosis of asthma, OR use of an inhaler in past three years to treat or prevent bronchospasm.
  • History of cardiac arrhythmia requiring treatment
  • History of congestive heart failure
  • Current use of medications to control blood pressure or improve cardiac output
  • Diabetes Type I or II, or currently on medications to reduce blood sugar
  • Pregnant
05

Study design

Observational model
Case-only
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
10 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Adverse Events following Propranolol dosing

    The primary objective of our study will be to document the safety of using a single dose of propranolol.

    Time frame: 1 day

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Reductions in FDG Uptake in BATWhen Compared to Historic Controls

    We will test the hypothesis that the use of propranolol given prior to the PET scan results in a statistically significant reduction in FDG uptake in BAT compared to historical controls.

    Time frame: 2 years

07

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Kentucky DanceBlue Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic
    Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jun 28, 2017, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT02165683
Lead sponsor
Lars Wagner
Responsible party
Lars Wagner (Sponsor/PI, University of Kentucky) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Jun 17, 2014
Start date
Jul 2014
Primary completion
Oct 24, 2016
Completion
Oct 24, 2016
Last update
Jun 28, 2017

Study contacts

Lars Wagner, MD
principal investigator · University of Kentucky, Dept of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2017. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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