@unpublished{WernerBundschuhBundschuhetal.2019, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Bundschuh, Ralph A. and Bundschuh, Lena and Fanti, Stefano and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Weich, A. and Pienta, Kenneth J. and Buck, Andreas K. and Pomper, Martin G. and Gorin, Michael A. and Herrmann, Ken and Lapa, Constantin and Rowe, Steven P.}, title = {Novel Structured Reporting Systems for Theranostic Radiotracers}, series = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, journal = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, issn = {0161-5505}, doi = {10.2967/jnumed.118.223537}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-174629}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Standardized reporting is more and more routinely implemented in clinical practice and such structured reports have a major impact on a large variety of medical fields, e.g. laboratory medicine, pathology, and, recently, radiology. Notably, the field of nuclear medicine is constantly evolving, as novel radiotracers for numerous clinical applications are developed. Thus, framework systems for standardized reporting in this field may a) increase clinical acceptance of new radiotracers, b) allow for inter- and intra-center comparisons for quality assurance, and c) may be used in (global) multi-center studies to ensure comparable results and enable efficient data abstraction. In the last two years, several standardized framework systems for positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers with potential theranostic applications have been proposed. These include systems for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted PET agents for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) and somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-targeted PET agents for the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasias. In the present review, those standardized framework systems for PSMA- and SSTR-targeted PET will be briefly introduced followed by an overview of their advantages and limitations. In addition, potential applications will be defined, approaches to validate such concepts will be proposed, and future perspectives will be discussed.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{WernerOrdonezSanchezBautistaetal.2019, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Ordonez, Alvaro A. and Sanchez-Bautista, Julian and Marcus, Charles and Lapa, Constantin and Rowe, Steven P. and Pomper, Martin G. and Leal, Jeffrey P. and Lodge, Martin A. and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Jain, Sanjay K. and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {Novel functional renal PET imaging with 18F-FDS in human subjects}, series = {Clinical Nuclear Medicine}, volume = {44}, journal = {Clinical Nuclear Medicine}, number = {5}, issn = {0363-9762}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-174634}, pages = {410-411}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The novel PET probe 2-deoxy-2-18F-fluoro-D-sorbitol (18F-FDS) has demonstrated favorable renal kinetics in animals. We aimed to elucidate its imaging properties in two human volunteers. 18F-FDS was produced by a simple one-step reduction from 18F-FDG. On dynamic renal PET, the cortex was delineated and activity gradually transited in the parenchyma, followed by radiotracer excretion. No adverse effects were reported. Given the higher spatiotemporal resolution of PET relative to conventional scintigraphy, 18F-FDS PET offers a more thorough evaluation of human renal kinetics. Due to its simple production from 18F-FDG, 18F-FDS is virtually available at any PET facility with radiochemistry infrastructure.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{WernerKobayashiJavadietal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Kobayashi, Ryohei and Javadi, Mehrbod Som and K{\"o}ck, Zoe and Wakabayashi, Hiroshi and Unterecker, Stefan and Nakajima, Kenichi and Lapa, Constantin and Menke, Andreas and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {Impact of Novel Antidepressants on Cardiac Metaiodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) Uptake: Experimental Studies in SK-N-SH Cells and Healthy Rabbits}, series = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, journal = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, issn = {0161-5505}, doi = {10.2967/jnumed.117.206045}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-161280}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background: \(^{123}\)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) provides independent prognostic value for risk stratification among heart failure patients, but the use of concomitant medication should not impact its quantitative information. We aimed to evaluate the four most-prescribed antidepressants currently used as a first‑line treatment for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and their potential on altering mIBG imaging results. Methods: The inhibition effect of four different types of antidepressants (desipramine, escitalopram, venlafaxine and bupropion) for MDD treatment on \(^{131}\)I-mIBG uptake was assessed by in-vitro cell uptake assays using human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of tracer uptake was determined from dose-response curves. To evaluate the effects of IV pretreatment with desipramine (1.5 mg/kg) and escitalopram (2.5, 15 mg/kg) on mIBG cardiac uptake, in-vivo planar 123I-mIBG scans in healthy New Zealand White Rabbits were conducted. Results: The IC50 values of desipramine, escitalopram, venlafaxine and bupropion on \(^{131}\)I-mIBG cellular uptake were 11.9 nM, 7.5 μM, 4.92 μM, and 12.9 μM, respectively. At the maximum serum concentration (Cmax, as derived by previous clinical trials), the inhibition rates of 131I-mIBG uptake were 90.6 \% for desipramine, 25.5 \% for venlafaxine, 11.7 \% for bupropion and 0.72 \% for escitalopram. A low inhibition rate for escitalopram in the cell uptake study triggered investigation of an in-vivo rabbit model: with dosage considerably higher than clinical practice, the non-inhibitory effect of escitalopram was confirmed. Furthermore, pretreatment with desipramine led to a marked reduction of cardiac 123I-mIBG uptake. Conclusions: In the present in-vitro binding assay and in-vivo rabbit study, the selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram had no major impact on neuronal cardiac mIBG uptake within therapeutic dose ranges, while other types of first-line antidepressants for MDD treatment led to a significant decrease. These preliminary results warrant further confirmatory clinical trials regarding the reliability of cardiac mIBG imaging, in particular, if the patient's neuropsychiatric status would not tolerate withdrawal of a potentially norepinephrine interfering antidepressant.}, subject = {Antidepressants}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{WernerMarcusSheikhbahaeietal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Marcus, Charles and Sheikhbahaei, Sara and Higuchi, Takahiro and Solnes, Lilja B. and Rowe, Steven P. and Buck, Andreas K. and Lapa, Constantin and Javadi, Mehrbod S.}, title = {Diagnostic Accuracy of Visual Assessment of an Initial DaT-Scan in Comparison to a Fully Automatic Semiquantitative Method}, series = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, volume = {59}, booktitle = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, number = {Supplement No. 1}, issn = {0161-5505}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-162208}, pages = {626}, year = {2018}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, subject = {Parkinson-Krankheit}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{WernerMarcusSheikhbahaeietal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Marcus, Charles and Sheikhbahaei, Sara and Higuchi, Takahiro and Solnes, Lilja B. and Rowe, Steven P. and Buck, Andreas K. and Lapa, Constantin and Javadi, Mehrbod S.}, title = {The Impact of Ageing on Dopamine Transporter Imaging}, series = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, volume = {59}, booktitle = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, number = {Supplement No 1}, issn = {0161-5505}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-162213}, pages = {1646}, year = {2018}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, subject = {Parkinson-Krankheit}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{WernerChenHiranoetal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Chen, Xinyu and Hirano, Mitsuru and Nose, Naoko and Lapa, Constantin and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {The Impact of Ageing on [\(^{11}\)C]meta-Hydroxyephedrine Uptake in the Rat Heart}, series = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, volume = {59}, booktitle = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, number = {Supplement No 1}, issn = {0161-5505}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-162228}, pages = {100}, year = {2018}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @unpublished{WernerIlhanLehneretal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Ilhan, Harun and Lehner, Sebastian and Papp, L{\´a}szl{\´o} and Zs{\´o}t{\´e}r, Norbert and Schatka, Imke and Muegge, Dirk O. and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Buck, Andreas K. and Bartenstein, Peter and Bengel, Frank and Essler, Markus and Lapa, Constantin and Bundschuh, Ralph A.}, title = {Pre-therapy Somatostatin-Receptor-Based Heterogeneity Predicts Overall Survival in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients Undergoing Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy}, series = {Molecular Imaging and Biology}, journal = {Molecular Imaging and Biology}, issn = {1536-1632}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-018-1252-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164624}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Purpose: Early identification of aggressive disease could improve decision-support in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) patients prior to peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The prognostic value of intratumoral textural features (TF) determined by baseline somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-PET before PRRT was analyzed. Procedures: 31 patients with G1/G2 pNET were enrolled (G2, n=23/31). Prior to PRRT with [\(^{177}\)Lu]DOTATATE (mean, 3.6 cycles), baseline SSTR-PET/CT was performed. By segmentation of 162 (median per patient, 5) metastases, intratumoral TF were computed. The impact of conventional PET parameters (SUV\(_{mean/max}\)), imaging-based TF as well as clinical parameters (Ki67, CgA) for prediction of both progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after PRRT was evaluated. Results: Within a median follow-up of 3.7y, tumor progression was detected in 21 patients (median, 1.5y) and 13/31 deceased (median, 1.9y). In ROC analysis, the TF Entropy, reflecting derangement on a voxel-by-voxel level, demonstrated predictive capability for OS (cutoff=6.7, AUC=0.71, p=0.02). Of note, increasing Entropy could predict a longer survival (>6.7, OS=2.5y, 17/31), whereas less voxel-based derangement portended inferior outcome (<6.7, OS=1.9y, 14/31). These findings were supported in a G2 subanalysis (>6.9, OS=2.8y, 9/23 vs. <6.9, OS=1.9y, 14/23). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant distinction between high- and low-risk groups using Entropy (n=31, p<0.05). For those patients below the ROC-derived threshold, the relative risk of death after PRRT was 2.73 (n=31, p=0.04). Ki67 was negatively associated with PFS (p=0.002); however, SUVmean/max failed in prognostication (n.s.). Conclusions: In contrast to conventional PET parameters, assessment of intratumoral heterogeneity demonstrated superior prognostic performance in pNET patients undergoing PRRT. This novel PET-based strategy of outcome prediction prior to PRRT might be useful for patient risk stratification.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @unpublished{WernerBundschuhBundschuhetal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Bundschuh, Ralph A. and Bundschuh, Lena and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Leal, Jeffrey P. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Pienta, Kenneth J. and Buck, Andreas K. and Pomper, Martin G. and Gorin, Michael A. and Lapa, Constantin and Rowe, Steven P.}, title = {Interobserver Agreement for the Standardized Reporting System PSMA-RADS 1.0 on \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL PET/CT Imaging}, series = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, journal = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, issn = {0161-5505}, doi = {10.2967/jnumed.118.217588}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167788}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Objectives: Recently, the standardized reporting and data system for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies, termed PSMA-RADS version 1.0, was introduced. We aimed to determine the interobserver agreement for applying PSMA-RADS to imaging interpretation of 18F-DCFPyL PET examinations in a prospective setting mimicking the typical clinical work-flow at a prostate cancer referral center. Methods: Four readers (two experienced readers (ER, > 3 years of PSMA-targeted PET interpretation experience) and two inexperienced readers (IR, < 1 year of experience)), who had all read the initial publication on PSMA-RADS 1.0, assessed 50 18F-DCFPyL PET/computed tomography (CT) studies independently. Per scan, a maximum of 5 target lesions were selected by the observers and a PSMA-RADS score for every target lesion was recorded. No specific pre-existing conditions were placed on the selection of the target lesions, although PSMA-RADS 1.0 suggests that readers focus on the most highly avid or largest lesions. An overall scan impression based on PSMA-RADS was indicated and interobserver agreement rates on a target lesion-based, on an organ-based, and on an overall PSMA-RADS score-based level were computed. Results: The number of target lesions identified by each observer were as follows: ER 1, 123; ER 2, 134; IR 1, 123; and IR 2, 120. Among those selected target lesions, 125 were chosen by at least two individual observers (all four readers selected the same target lesion in 58/125 (46.4\%) instances, three readers in 40/125 (32\%) and two observers in 27/125 (21.6\%) instances). The interobserver agreement for PSMA-RADS scoring among identical target lesions was good (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for four, three and two identical target lesions, ≥0.60, respectively). For lymph nodes, an excellent interobserver agreement was derived (ICC=0.79). The interobserver agreement for an overall scan impression based on PSMA-RADS was also excellent (ICC=0.84), with a significant difference for ER (ICC=0.97) vs. IR (ICC=0.74, P=0.005). Conclusions: PSMA-RADS demonstrates a high concordance rate in this study, even among readers with different levels of experience. This suggests that PSMA-RADS can be effectively used for communication with clinicians and can be implemented in the collection of data for large prospective trials.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{ChenHiranoWerneretal.2018, author = {Chen, Xinyu and Hirano, Mitsuru and Werner, Rudolf A. and Decker, Michael and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {Novel \(^{18}\)F-labeled PET Imaging Agent FV45 targeting the Renin-Angiotensin System}, series = {ACS Omega}, volume = {3}, journal = {ACS Omega}, number = {9}, issn = {2470-1343}, doi = {10.1021/acsomega.8b01885}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167144}, pages = {10460-10470}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and hormonal balance. Using positron emission tomography (PET) technology, it is possible to monitor the physiological and pathological distribution of angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT\(_1\)), which reflects the functionality of RAS. A new \(^{18}\)F-labeled PET tracer derived from the clinically used AT\(_1\) antagonist valsartan showing the least possible chemical alteration from the valsartan structure has been designed and synthesized with several strategies, which can be applied for the syntheses of further derivatives. Radioligand binding study showed that the cold reference FV45 (K\(_i\) 14.6 nM) has almost equivalent binding affinity as its lead valsartan (K\(_i\) 11.8 nM) and angiotensin II (K\(_i\) 1.7 nM). Successful radiolabeling of FV45 in a one-pot radiofluorination followed by the deprotection procedure with 21.8 ± 8.5\% radiochemical yield and >99\% radiochemical purity (n = 5) enabled a distribution study in rats and opened a path to straightforward large-scale production. A fast and clear kidney uptake could be observed, and this renal uptake could be selectively blocked by pretreatment with AT\(_1\)-selective antagonist valsartan. Overall, as the first \(^{18}\)F-labeled PET tracer based on a derivation from clinically used drug valsartan with almost identical chemical structure, [\(^{18}\)F]FV45 will be a new tool for assessing the RAS function by visualizing AT\(_i\) receptor distributions and providing further information regarding cardiovascular system malfunction as well as possible applications in inflammation research and cancer diagnosis.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @unpublished{YinWernerHiguchietal.2018, author = {Yin, Yafu and Werner, Rudolf A. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Lapa, Constantin and Pienta, Kenneth J. and Pomper, Martin G. and Gorin, Michael A. and Rowe, Steven P.}, title = {Follow-Up of Lesions with Equivocal Radiotracer Uptake on PSMA-Targeted PET in Patients with Prostate Cancer: Predictive Values of the PSMA-RADS-3A and PSMARADS- 3B Categories}, series = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, journal = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine}, issn = {0161-5505}, doi = {10.2967/jnumed.118.217653}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167594}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Purpose: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has become commonly utilized in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). The PSMA reporting and data system version 1.0 (PSMA-RADS version 1.0) categorizes lesions on the basis of the likelihood of PCa involvement, with PSMA-RADS-3A (soft tissue) and PSMA-RADS-3B (bone) lesions being indeterminate for the presence of disease. We retrospectively reviewed the imaging follow-up of such lesions to determine the rate at which they underwent changes suggestive of underlying PCa. Methods: PET/CT imaging with \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL was carried out in 110 patients with PCa and lesions were categorized according to PSMA-RADS Version 1.0. 56/110 (50.9\%) patients were determined to have indeterminate PSMA-RADS-3A or PSMA-RADS-3B lesions and 22/56 (39.3\%) patients had adequate follow-up to be included in the analysis. The maximum standardized uptake values (SUV\(_{max}\)) of the lesions were obtained and the ratios of SUV\(_{max}\) of the lesions to SUV\(_{mean}\) of blood pool (SUV\(_{max}\)-lesion/SUV\(_{mean}\)-bloodpool) were calculated. Pre-determined criteria were used to evaluate the PSMA-RADS-3A and PSMA-RADS-3B lesions on follow-up imaging to determine if they demonstrated evidence of underlying malignancy. Results: A total of 46 lesions in 22 patients were considered indeterminate for PCa (i.e. PSMA-RADS-3A (32 lesions) or PSMA-RADS-3B (14 lesions)) and were evaluable on follow-up imaging. 27/46 (58.7\%) lesions demonstrated changes on follow-up imaging consistent with the presence of underlying PCa at baseline. These lesions included 24/32 (75.0\%) PSMA-RADS-3A lesions and 3/14 (21.4\%) lesions categorized as PSMA-RADS-3B. The ranges of SUVmax and SUVmax-lesion/SUVmean-bloodpool overlapped between those lesions demonstrating changes consistent with malignancy on follow-up imaging and those lesions that remained unchanged on follow-up. Conclusion: PSMA-RADS-3A and PSMA-RADS-3B lesions are truly indeterminate in that proportions of findings in both categories demonstrate evidence of malignancy on follow-up imaging. Overall, PSMA-RADS-3A lesions are more likely than PSMA-RADS-3B lesions to represent sites of PCa and this information should be taken into when guiding patient therapy.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{Werner2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A.}, title = {Editorial: Cardiac Innervation Imaging as a Risk Stratification Tool for Potential Device Therapy Candidates}, series = {Journal of Nuclear Cardiology}, journal = {Journal of Nuclear Cardiology}, issn = {1071-3581}, doi = {10.1007/s12350-018-01475-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168465}, year = {2018}, abstract = {As a scintigraphic approach evaluating cardiac nerve integrity, \(^{123}\)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG) has been recently Food and Drug Administration approved. A great deal of progress has been made by the prospective ADMIRE-HF trial, which primarily demonstrated the association of denervated myocardium assessed by \(^{123}\)I-mIBG and cardiac events. However, apart from risk stratification, myocardial nerve function evaluated by molecular imaging should also be expanded to other clinical contexts, in particular to guide the referring cardiologist in selecting appropriate candidates for specific therapeutic interventions. In the present issue of the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, the use of 123I-mIBG for identifying cardiomyopathy patients, which would most likely not benefit from ICD due low risk of arrhythmias, is described. If we aim to deliver on the promise of cardiac innervation imaging as a powerful tool for risk stratification in a manner similar to nuclear oncology, studies such as the one reviewed here may imply an important step to lay the proper groundwork for a more widespread adoption in clinical practice.}, subject = {SPECT}, language = {en} } @article{WernerChenMayaetal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Chen, Xinyu and Maya, Yoshifumi and Eissler, Christoph and Hirano, Mitsuru and Nose, Naoko and Wakabayashi, Hiroshi and Lapa, Constantin and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {The Impact of Ageing on 11C-Hydroxyephedrine Uptake in the Rat Heart}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {11120}, issn = {2281-5872}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-29509-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164826}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We aimed to explore the impact of ageing on 11C-Hydroxyephedrine (11C-HED) uptake in the healthy rat heart in a longitudinal setting. To investigate a potential cold mass effect, the influence of specific activity on cardiac 11C-HED uptake was evaluated: 11C-HED was synthesized by N-methylation of (-)-metaraminol as the free base (radiochemical purity >95\%) and a wide range of specific activities (0.2-141.9 GBq/μmol) were prepared. \(^{11}\)C-HED (48.7±9.7MBq, ranged 0.2-60.4μg/kg cold mass) was injected in healthy Wistar Rats. Dynamic 23-frame PET images were obtained over 30 min. Time activity curves were generated for the blood input function and myocardial tissue. Cardiac 11C-HED retention index (\%/min) was calculated as myocardial tissue activity at 20-30 min divided by the integral of the blood activity curves. Additionally, the impact of ageing on myocardial 11CHED uptake was investigated longitudinally by PET studies at different ages of healthy Wistar Rats. A dose-dependent reduction of cardiac 11C-HED uptake was observed: The estimated retention index as a marker of norepinephrine function decreased at a lower specific activity (higher amount of cold mass). This observed high affinity of 11C-HED to the neural norepinephrine transporter triggered a subsequent study: In a longitudinal setting, the 11C-HED retention index decreased with increasing age. An age-related decline of cardiac sympathetic innervation could be demonstrated. The herein observed cold mass effect might increase in succeeding scans and therefore, 11C-HED microPET studies should be planned with extreme caution if one single radiosynthesis is scheduled for multiple animals.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @unpublished{WernerAndreeJavadietal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Andree, Christian and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Lapa, Constantin and Buck, Andreas K. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Pomper, Martin G. and Gorin, Michael A. and Rowe, Steven P. and Pienta, Kenneth J.}, title = {A Voice From the Past: Re-Discovering the Virchow Node with PSMA-targeted \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL PET Imaging}, series = {Urology - The Gold Journal}, journal = {Urology - The Gold Journal}, issn = {0090-4295}, doi = {10.1016/j.urology.2018.03.030}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-161103}, year = {2018}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, subject = {Virchow Node}, language = {en} } @article{WernerAndreeJavadietal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Andree, Christian and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Lapa, Constantin and Buck, Andreas K. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Pomper, Martin G. and Gorin, Michael A. and Rowe, Steven P. and Pienta, Kenneth J.}, title = {A Voice From the Past: Re-Discovering the Virchow Node with PSMA-targeted \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL PET Imaging}, series = {Urology - The Gold Journal}, volume = {117}, journal = {Urology - The Gold Journal}, issn = {0090-4295}, doi = {10.1016/j.urology.2018.03.030}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164632}, pages = {18-21}, year = {2018}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, language = {en} } @article{WernerChenRoweetal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Chen, Xinyu and Rowe, Steven P. and Lapa, Constantin and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {Moving into the Next Era of PET Myocardial Perfusion Imaging - Introduction of Novel \(^{18}\)F-labeled Tracers}, series = {The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging}, journal = {The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging}, issn = {1569-5794}, doi = {10.1007/s10554-018-1469-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-169134}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The heart failure (HF) epidemic continues to rise with coronary artery disease (CAD) as one of its main causes. Novel concepts for risk stratification to guide the referring cardiologist towards revascularization procedures are of significant value. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) agents has demonstrated high accuracy for the detection of clinically relevant stenoses. With positron emission tomography (PET) becoming more widely available, mainly due to its diagnostic performance in oncology, perfusion imaging with that modality is more practical than in the past and overcomes existing limitations of SPECT MPI. Advantages of PET include more reliable quantification of absolute myocardial blood flow, the routine use of computed tomography for attenuation correction, a higher spatiotemporal resolution and a higher count sensitivity. Current PET radiotracers such as rubidium-82 (half-life, 76 sec), oxygen-15 water (2 min) or nitrogen-13 ammonia (10 min) are labeled with radionuclides with very short half-lives, necessitating that stress imaging is performed under pharmacological vasodilator stress instead of exercise testing. However, with the introduction of novel 18F-labeled MPI PET radiotracers (half-life, 110 min), the intrinsic advantages of PET can be combined with exercise testing. Additional advantages of those radiotracers include, but are not limited to: potentially improved cost-effectiveness due to the use of pre-existing delivery systems and superior imaging qualities, mainly due to the shortest positron range among available PET MPI probes. In the present review, widely used PET MPI radiotracers will be reviewed and potential novel 18F-labeled perfusion radiotracers will be discussed.}, subject = {Positronenemissionstomografie}, language = {en} } @article{WernerIlhanLehneretal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Ilhan, Harun and Lehner, Sebastian and Papp, L{\´a}szl{\´o} and Zs{\´o}t{\´e}r, Norbert and Schatka, Imke and Muegge, Dirk O. and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Buck, Andreas K. and Bartenstein, Peter and Bengel, Frank and Essler, Markus and Lapa, Constantin and Bundschuh, Ralph A.}, title = {Pre-therapy Somatostatin-Receptor-Based Heterogeneity Predicts Overall Survival in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients Undergoing Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy}, series = {Molecular Imaging and Biology}, journal = {Molecular Imaging and Biology}, issn = {1536-1632}, doi = {10.1007/s11307-018-1252-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167168}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Purpose: Early identification of aggressive disease could improve decision-support in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) patients prior to peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The prognostic value of intratumoral textural features (TF) determined by baseline somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-PET before PRRT was analyzed. Procedures: 31 patients with G1/G2 pNET were enrolled (G2, n=23/31). Prior to PRRT with [\(^{177}\)Lu]DOTATATE (mean, 3.6 cycles), baseline SSTR-PET/CT was performed. By segmentation of 162 (median per patient, 5) metastases, intratumoral TF were computed. The impact of conventional PET parameters (SUV\(_{mean/max}\)), imaging-based TF as well as clinical parameters (Ki67, CgA) for prediction of both progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after PRRT was evaluated. Results: Within a median follow-up of 3.7y, tumor progression was detected in 21 patients (median, 1.5y) and 13/31 deceased (median, 1.9y). In ROC analysis, the TF Entropy, reflecting derangement on a voxel-by-voxel level, demonstrated predictive capability for OS (cutoff=6.7, AUC=0.71, p=0.02). Of note, increasing Entropy could predict a longer survival (>6.7, OS=2.5y, 17/31), whereas less voxel-based derangement portended inferior outcome (<6.7, OS=1.9y, 14/31). These findings were supported in a G2 subanalysis (>6.9, OS=2.8y, 9/23 vs. <6.9, OS=1.9y, 14/23). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant distinction between high- and low-risk groups using Entropy (n=31, p<0.05). For those patients below the ROC-derived threshold, the relative risk of death after PRRT was 2.73 (n=31, p=0.04). Ki67 was negatively associated with PFS (p=0.002); however, SUVmean/max failed in prognostication (n.s.). Conclusions: In contrast to conventional PET parameters, assessment of intratumoral heterogeneity demonstrated superior prognostic performance in pNET patients undergoing PRRT. This novel PET-based strategy of outcome prediction prior to PRRT might be useful for patient risk stratification.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{WernerBundschuhBundschuhetal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Bundschuh, Ralph A. and Bundschuh, Lena and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Weich, Alexander and Sheikhbahaei, Sara and Pienta, Kenneth J. and Buck, Andreas K. and Pomper, Martin G. and Gorin, Michael A. and Lapa, Constantin and Rowe, Steven P.}, title = {MI-RADS: Molecular Imaging Reporting and Data Systems - A Generalizable Framework for Targeted Radiotracers with Theranostic Implications}, series = {Annals of Nuclear Medicine}, journal = {Annals of Nuclear Medicine}, issn = {0914-7187}, doi = {10.1007/s12149-018-1291-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166995}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Both prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)- and somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents for staging and restaging of prostate carcinoma or neuroendocrine tumors, respectively, are seeing rapidly expanding use. In addition to diagnostic applications, both classes of radiotracers can be used to triage patients for theranostic endoradiotherapy. While interpreting PSMA- or SSTR-targeted PET/computed tomography (CT) scans, the reader has to be aware of certain pitfalls. Adding to the complexity of the interpretation of those imaging agents, both normal biodistribution, and also false-positive and -negative findings differ between PSMA- and SSTR-targeted PET radiotracers. Herein summarized under the umbrella term molecular imaging reporting and data systems (MI-RADS), two novel RADS classifications for PSMA- and SSTR-targeted PET imaging are described (PSMA- and SSTR-RADS). Both framework systems may contribute to increase the level of a reader's confidence and to navigate the imaging interpreter through indeterminate lesions, so that appropriate workup for equivocal findings can be pursued. Notably, PSMA- and SSTR-RADS are structured in a reciprocal fashion, i.e. if the reader is familiar with one system, the other system can readily be applied as well. In the present review we will discuss the most common pitfalls on PSMA- and SSTR-targeted PET/CT, briefly introduce PSMA- and SSTR-RADS, and define a future role of the umbrella framework MI-RADS compared to other harmonization systems.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{WernerBundschuhHiguchietal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Bundschuh, Ralph A. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Rowe, Steven P. and Zs{\´o}t{\´e}r, Norbert and Kroiss, Matthias and Fassnacht, Martin and Buck, Andreas K. and Kreissl, Michael C. and Lapa, Constantin}, title = {Volumetric and Texture Analysis of Pretherapeutic \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET can Predict Overall Survival in Medullary Thyroid Cancer Patients Treated with Vandetanib}, series = {Endocrine}, journal = {Endocrine}, issn = {1355-008X}, doi = {10.1007/s12020-018-1749-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167910}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Purpose: The metabolically most active lesion in 2-deoxy-2-(\(^{18}\)F)fluoro-D-glucose (\(^{18}\)F-FDG) PET/CT can predict progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) starting treatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) vandetanib. However, this metric failed in overall survival (OS) prediction. In the present proof of concept study, we aimed to explore the prognostic value of intratumoral textural features (TF) as well as volumetric parameters (total lesion glycolysis, TLG) derived by pre-therapeutic \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET. Methods: Eighteen patients with progressive MTC underwent baseline \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET/CT prior to and 3 months after vandetanib initiation. By manual segmentation of the tumor burden at baseline and follow-up PET, intratumoral TF and TLG were computed. The ability of TLG, imaging-based TF, and clinical parameters (including age, tumor marker doubling times, prior therapies and RET (rearranged during transfection) mutational status) for prediction of both PFS and OS were evaluated. Results: The TF Complexity and the volumetric parameter TLG obtained at baseline prior to TKI initiation successfully differentiated between low- and high-risk patients. Complexity allocated 10/18 patients to the high-risk group with an OS of 3.3y (vs. low-risk group, OS=5.3y, 8/18, AUC=0.78, P=0.03). Baseline TLG designated 11/18 patients to the high-risk group (OS=3.5y vs. low-risk group, OS=5y, 7/18, AUC=0.83, P=0.005). The Hazard Ratio for cancer-related death was 6.1 for Complexity (TLG, 9.5). Among investigated clinical parameters, the age at initiation of TKI treatment reached significance for PFS prediction (P=0.02, OS, n.s.). Conclusions: The TF Complexity and the volumetric parameter TLG are both independent parameters for OS prediction.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{WernerEisslerHayakawaetal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Eissler, Christoph and Hayakawa, Nobuyuki and Arias-Loza, Paula and Wakabayashi, Hiroshi and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Chen, Xinyu and Shinaji, Tetsuya and Lapa, Constantin and Pelzer, Theo and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy using ECG-gated \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {17631}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-35986-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171765}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In diabetic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is one of the earliest signs of cardiac involvement prior to the definitive development of heart failure (HF). We aimed to explore the LV diastolic function using electrocardiography (ECG)-gated \(^{18}\)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (\(^{18}\)F-FDG PET) imaging beyond the assessment of cardiac glucose utilization in a diabetic rat model. ECG-gated \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET imaging was performed in a rat model of type 2 diabetes (ZDF fa/fa) and ZL control rats at age of 13 weeks (n=6, respectively). Under hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp to enhance cardiac activity, \(^{18}\)F-FDG was administered and subsequently, list-mode imaging using a dedicated small animal PET system with ECG signal recording was performed. List-mode data were sorted and reconstructed into tomographic images of 16 frames per cardiac cycle. Left ventricular functional parameters (systolic: LV ejection fraction (EF), heart rate (HR) vs. diastolic: peak filling rate (PFR)) were obtained using an automatic ventricular edge detection software. No significant difference in systolic function could be obtained (ZL controls vs. ZDF rats: LVEF, 62.5±4.2 vs. 59.4±4.5\%; HR: 331±35 vs. 309±24 bpm; n.s., respectively). On the contrary, ECG-gated PET imaging showed a mild but significant decrease of PFR in the diabetic rats (ZL controls vs. ZDF rats: 12.1±0.8 vs. 10.2±1 Enddiastolic Volume/sec, P<0.01). Investigating a diabetic rat model, ECG-gated \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET imaging detected LV diastolic dysfunction while systolic function was still preserved. This might open avenues for an early detection of HF onset in high-risk type 2 diabetes before cardiac symptoms become apparent.}, language = {en} } @article{WernerWeichKircheretal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Weich, Alexander and Kircher, Malte and Solnes, Lilja B. and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Buck, Andreas K. and Pomper, Martin G. and Rowe, Steven and Lapa, Constantin}, title = {The theranostic promise for neuroendocrine tumors in the late 2010s - Where do we stand, where do we go?}, series = {Theranostics}, volume = {8}, journal = {Theranostics}, number = {22}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170264}, pages = {6088-6100}, year = {2018}, abstract = {More than 25 years after the first peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), the concept of somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-directed imaging and therapy for neuroendocrine tumors (NET) is seeing rapidly increasing use. To maximize the full potential of its theranostic promise, efforts in recent years have expanded recommendations in current guidelines and included the evaluation of novel theranostic radiotracers for imaging and treatment of NET. Moreover, the introduction of standardized reporting framework systems may harmonize PET reading, address pitfalls in interpreting SSTR-PET/CT scans and guide the treating physician in selecting PRRT candidates. Notably, the concept of PRRT has also been applied beyond oncology, e.g. for treatment of inflammatory conditions like sarcoidosis. Future perspectives may include the efficacy evaluation of PRRT compared to other common treatment options for NET, novel strategies for closer monitoring of potential side effects, the introduction of novel radiotracers with beneficial pharmacodynamic and kinetic properties or the use of supervised machine learning approaches for outcome prediction. This article reviews how the SSTR-directed theranostic concept is currently applied and also reflects on recent developments that hold promise for the future of theranostics in this context.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{ChenWernerLapaetal.2018, author = {Chen, Xinyu and Werner, Rudolf A. and Lapa, Constantin and Nose, Naoko and Hirano, Mitsuru and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Robinson, Simon and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {Subcellular storage and release mode of the novel \(^{18}\)F-labeled sympathetic nerve PET tracer LMI1195}, series = {EJNMMI Research}, volume = {8}, journal = {EJNMMI Research}, number = {12}, issn = {2191-219X}, doi = {10.1186/s13550-018-0365-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167081}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background: \(^{18}\)F-N-[3-bromo-4-(3-fluoro-propoxy)-benzyl]-guanidine (\(^{18}\)F-LMI1195) is a new class of PET tracer designed for sympathetic nervous imaging of the heart. The favorable image quality with high and specific neural uptake has been previously demonstrated in animals and humans, but intracellular behavior is not yet fully understood. The aim of the present study is to verify whether it is taken up in storage vesicles and released in company with vesicle turnover. Results: Both vesicle-rich (PC12) and vesicle-poor (SK-N-SH) norepinephrine-expressing cell lines were used for in vitro tracer uptake studies. After 2 h of \(^{18}\)F-LMI1195 preloading into both cell lines, effects of stimulants for storage vesicle turnover (high concentration KCl (100 mM) or reserpine treatment) were measured at 10, 20, and 30 min. \(^{131}\)I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (\(^{131}\)I-MIBG) served as a reference. Both high concentration KCl and reserpine enhanced \(^{18}\)F-LMI1195 washout from PC12 cells, while tracer retention remained stable in the SK-N-SH cells. After 30 min of treatment, 18F-LMI1195 releasing index (percentage of tracer released from cells) from vesicle-rich PC12 cells achieved significant differences compared to cells without treatment condition. In contrast, such effect could not be observed using vesicle-poor SK-N-SH cell lines. Similar tracer kinetics after KCl or reserpine treatment were also observed using 131I-MIBG. In case of KCl exposure, Ca\(^{2+}\)-free buffer with the calcium chelator, ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA), could suppress the tracer washout from PC12 cells. This finding is consistent with the tracer release being mediated by Ca\(^{2+}\) influx resulting from membrane depolarization. Conclusions: Analogous to \(^{131}\)I-MIBG, the current in vitro tracer uptake study confirmed that \(^{131}\)F-LMI1195 is also stored in vesicles in PC12 cells and released along with vesicle turnover. Understanding the basic kinetics of \(^{18}\)FLMI1195 at a subcellular level is important for the design of clinical imaging protocols and imaging interpretation.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{WernerMarcusSheikhbahaeietal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Marcus, Charles and Sheikhbahaei, Sara and Solnes, Lilja B. and Leal, Jeffrey P. and Du, Yong and Rowe, Steven P. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Buck, Andreas K. and Lapa, Constantin and Javadi, Mehrbod S.}, title = {Visual and Semiquantitative Accuracy in Clinical Baseline 123I-Ioflupane SPECT/CT Imaging}, series = {Clinical Nuclear Medicine}, volume = {44}, journal = {Clinical Nuclear Medicine}, number = {1}, issn = {1536-0229}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168181}, year = {2018}, abstract = {PURPOSE: We aimed to (a) elucidate the concordance of visual assessment of an initial I-ioflupane scan by a human interpreter with comparison to results using a fully automatic semiquantitative method and (b) to assess the accuracy compared to follow-up (f/u) diagnosis established by movement disorder specialists. METHODS: An initial I-ioflupane scan was performed in 382 patients with clinically uncertain Parkinsonian syndrome. An experienced reader performed a visual evaluation of all scans independently. The findings of the visual read were compared with semiquantitative evaluation. In addition, available f/u clinical diagnosis (serving as a reference standard) was compared with results of the human read and the software. RESULTS: When comparing the semiquantitative method with the visual assessment, discordance could be found in 25 (6.5\%) of 382 of the cases for the experienced reader (ĸ = 0.868). The human observer indicated region of interest misalignment as the main reason for discordance. With neurology f/u serving as reference, the results of the reader revealed a slightly higher accuracy rate (87.7\%, ĸ = 0.75) compared to semiquantification (86.2\%, ĸ = 0.719, P < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference in the diagnostic performance of the visual read versus software-based assessment was found. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with a fully automatic semiquantitative method in I-ioflupane interpretation, human assessment obtained an almost perfect agreement rate. However, compared to clinical established diagnosis serving as a reference, visual read seemed to be slightly more accurate as a solely software-based quantitative assessment.}, subject = {SPECT}, language = {en} } @unpublished{NoseWernerUedaetal.2018, author = {Nose, Naoko and Werner, Rudolf A. and Ueda, Yuichiro and G{\"u}nther, Katharina and Lapa, Constantin and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Fukushima, Kazuhito and Edenhofer, Frank and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {Metabolic substrate shift in human induced pluripotent stem cells during cardiac differentiation: Functional assessment using in vitro radionuclide uptake assay}, series = {International Journal of Cardiology}, journal = {International Journal of Cardiology}, issn = {0167-5273}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.06.089}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-163320}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background: Recent developments in cellular reprogramming technology enable the production of virtually unlimited numbers of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM). Although hiPSC-CM share various characteristic hallmarks with endogenous cardiomyocytes, it remains a question as to what extent metabolic characteristics are equivalent to mature mammalian cardiomyocytes. Here we set out to functionally characterize the metabolic status of hiPSC-CM in vitro by employing a radionuclide tracer uptake assay. Material and Methods: Cardiac differentiation of hiPSC was induced using a combination of well-orchestrated extrinsic stimuli such as WNT activation (by CHIR99021) and BMP signalling followed by WNT inhibition and lactate based cardiomyocyte enrichment. For characterization of metabolic substrates, dual tracer uptake studies were performed with \(^{18}\)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (\(^{18}\)F-FDG) and \(^{125}\)I-β-methyl-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (\(^{125}\)I-BMIPP) as transport markers of glucose and fatty acids, respectively. Results: After cardiac differentiation of hiPSC, in vitro tracer uptake assays confirmed metabolic substrate shift from glucose to fatty acids that was comparable to those observed in native isolated human cardiomyocytes. Immunostaining further confirmed expression of fatty acid transport and binding proteins on hiPSC-CM. Conclusions: During in vitro cardiac maturation, we observed a metabolic shift to fatty acids, which are known as a main energy source of mammalian hearts, suggesting hi-PSC-CM as a potential functional phenotype to investigate alteration of cardiac metabolism in cardiac diseases. Results also highlight the use of available clinical nuclear medicine tracers as functional assays in stem cell research for improved generation of autologous differentiated cells for numerous biomedical applications.}, subject = {Stammzelle}, language = {en} } @article{KazuhinoWernerToriumietal.2018, author = {Kazuhino, Koshino and Werner, Rudolf A. and Toriumi, Fuijo and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Pomper, Martin G. and Solnes, Lilja B. and Verde, Franco and Higuchi, Takahiro and Rowe, Steven P.}, title = {Generative Adversarial Networks for the Creation of Realistic Artificial Brain Magnetic Resonance Images}, series = {Tomography}, volume = {4}, journal = {Tomography}, number = {4}, doi = {10.18383/j.tom.2018.00042}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-172185}, pages = {159-163}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Even as medical data sets become more publicly accessible, most are restricted to specific medical conditions. Thus, data collection for machine learning approaches remains challenging, and synthetic data augmentation, such as generative adversarial networks (GAN), may overcome this hurdle. In the present quality control study, deep convolutional GAN (DCGAN)-based human brain magnetic resonance (MR) images were validated by blinded radiologists. In total, 96 T1-weighted brain images from 30 healthy individuals and 33 patients with cerebrovascular accident were included. A training data set was generated from the T1-weighted images and DCGAN was applied to generate additional artificial brain images. The likelihood that images were DCGAN-created versus acquired was evaluated by 5 radiologists (2 neuroradiologists [NRs], vs 3 non-neuroradiologists [NNRs]) in a binary fashion to identify real vs created images. Images were selected randomly from the data set (variation of created images, 40\%-60\%). None of the investigated images was rated as unknown. Of the created images, the NRs rated 45\% and 71\% as real magnetic resonance imaging images (NNRs, 24\%, 40\%, and 44\%). In contradistinction, 44\% and 70\% of the real images were rated as generated images by NRs (NNRs, 10\%, 17\%, and 27\%). The accuracy for the NRs was 0.55 and 0.30 (NNRs, 0.83, 0.72, and 0.64). DCGAN-created brain MR images are similar enough to acquired MR images so as to be indistinguishable in some cases. Such an artificial intelligence algorithm may contribute to synthetic data augmentation for "data-hungry" technologies, such as supervised machine learning approaches, in various clinical applications.}, subject = {Magnetresonanztomografie}, language = {en} } @article{WernerChenHiranoetal.2018, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Chen, Xinyu and Hirano, Mitsuru and Rowe, Steven P. and Lapa, Constantin and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {SPECT vs. PET in Cardiac Innervation Imaging: Clash of the Titans}, series = {Clinical and Translational Imaging}, journal = {Clinical and Translational Imaging}, issn = {2281-5872}, doi = {10.1007/s40336-018-0289-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-163628}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Purpose: We aim to provide an overview of the conventional single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and emerging positron emission tomography (PET) catecholamine analogue tracers for assessing myocardial nerve integrity, in particular focusing on \(^{18}\)F-labeled tracers. Results: Increasingly, the cardiac sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is being studied by non-invasive molecular imaging approaches. Forming the backbone of myocardial SNS imaging, the norepinephrine (NE) transporter at the sympathetic nerve terminal plays a crucial role for visualizing denervated myocardium: in particular, the single-photon-emitting NE analogue \(^{123}\)I-meta-Iodobenzylguanidine (\(^{123}\)I-mIBG) has demonstrated favorable results in the identification of patients at a high risk for cardiac death. However, cardiac neuronal PET agents offer several advantages inlcuding improved spatio-temporal resolution and intrinsic quantifiability. Compared to their \(^{11}\)C-labeled counterparts with a short half-life (20.4 min), novel \(^{18}\)F-labeled PET imaging agents to assess myocardial nerve integrity have the potential to revolutionize the field of SNS molecular imaging: The longer half-life of \(^{18}\)F (109.8 min) allows for more flexibility in the study design and delivery from central cyclotron facilities to smaller hospitals may lead to further cost reduction. A great deal of progress has been made by the first in-human studies of such \(^{18}\)F-labeled SNS imaging agents. Moreover, dedicated animal platforms open avenues for further insights into the handling of radiolabeled catecholamine analogues at the sympathetic nerve terminal. Conclusions: \(^{18}\)F-labeled imaging agents demonstrate key properties for mapping cardiac sympathetic nerve integrity and might outperform current SPECT-based or \(^{11}\)C-labeled tracers in the long run.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{NoseWernerUedaetal.2018, author = {Nose, Naoko and Werner, Rudolf A. and Ueda, Yuichiro and G{\"u}nther, Katharina and Lapa, Constantin and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Fukushima, Kazuhito and Edenhofer, Frank and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {Metabolic substrate shift in human induced pluripotent stem cells during cardiac differentiation: Functional assessment using in vitro radionuclide uptake assay}, series = {International Journal of Cardiology}, volume = {269}, journal = {International Journal of Cardiology}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170699}, pages = {229-234}, year = {2018}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Recent developments in cellular reprogramming technology enable the production of virtually unlimited numbers of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM). Although hiPSC-CM share various characteristic hallmarks with endogenous cardiomyocytes, it remains a question as to what extent metabolic characteristics are equivalent to mature mammalian cardiomyocytes. Here we set out to functionally characterize the metabolic status of hiPSC-CM in vitro by employing a radionuclide tracer uptake assay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cardiac differentiation of hiPSC was induced using a combination of well-orchestrated extrinsic stimuli such as WNT activation (by CHIR99021) and BMP signalling followed by WNT inhibition and lactate based cardiomyocyte enrichment. For characterization of metabolic substrates, dual tracer uptake studies were performed with \(^{18}\)F‑2‑fluoro‑2‑deoxy‑d‑glucose (\(^{18}\)F-FDG) and \(^{125}\)I‑β‑methyl‑iodophenyl‑pentadecanoic acid (\(^{125}\)I-BMIPP) as transport markers of glucose and fatty acids, respectively. RESULTS: After cardiac differentiation of hiPSCs, in vitro tracer uptake assays confirmed metabolic substrate shift from glucose to fatty acids that was comparable to those observed in native isolated human cardiomyocytes. Immunostaining further confirmed expression of fatty acid transport and binding proteins on hiPSC-CM. CONCLUSIONS: During in vitro cardiac maturation, we observed a metabolic shift to fatty acids, which are known as a main energy source of mammalian hearts, suggesting hi-PSC-CM as a potential functional phenotype to investigate alteration of cardiac metabolism in cardiac diseases. Results also highlight the use of available clinical nuclear medicine tracers as functional assays in stem cell research for improved generation of autologous differentiated cells for numerous biomedical applications.}, subject = {Stammzelle}, language = {en} } @article{WernerWeichHiguchietal.2017, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Weich, Alexander and Higuchi, Takahiro and Schmid, Jan S. and Schirbel, Andreas and Lassmann, Michael and Wild, Vanessa and Rudelius, Martina and Kudlich, Theodor and Herrmann, Ken and Scheurlen, Michael and Buck, Andreas K. and Kropf, Saskia and Wester, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and Lapa, Constantin}, title = {Imaging of Chemokine Receptor 4 Expression in Neuroendocrine Tumors - a Triple Tracer Comparative Approach}, series = {Theranostics}, volume = {7}, journal = {Theranostics}, number = {6}, doi = {10.7150/thno.18754}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-158008}, pages = {1489-1498}, year = {2017}, abstract = {C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and somatostatin receptors (SSTR) are overexpressed in gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET). In this study, we aimed to elucidate the feasibility of non-invasive CXCR4 positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging in GEP-NET patients using [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor in comparison to \(^{68}\)Ga-DOTA-D-Phe-Tyr3-octreotide ([\(^{68}\)Ga]DOTATOC) and \(^{18}\)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([\(^{18}\)F]FDG). Twelve patients with histologically proven GEP-NET (3xG1, 4xG2, 5xG3) underwent [\(^{68}\)Ga]DOTATOC, [\(^{18}\)F]FDG, and [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT for staging and planning of the therapeutic management. Scans were analyzed on a patient as well as on a lesion basis and compared to immunohistochemical staining patterns of CXCR4 and somatostatin receptors SSTR2a and SSTR5. [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor visualized tumor lesions in 6/12 subjects, whereas [\(^{18}\)F]FDG revealed sites of disease in 10/12 and [\(^{68}\)Ga]DOTATOC in 11/12 patients, respectively. Regarding sensitivity, SSTR-directed PET was the superior imaging modality in all G1 and G2 NET. CXCR4-directed PET was negative in all G1 NET. In contrast, 50\% of G2 and 80\% of G3 patients exhibited [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor-positive tumor lesions. Whereas CXCR4 seems to play only a limited role in detecting well-differentiated NET, increasing receptor expression could be non-invasively observed with increasing tumor grade. Thus, [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT might serve as non-invasive read-out for evaluating the possibility of CXCR4-directed endoradiotherapy in advanced dedifferentiated SSTR-negative tumors.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{WernerSheikhbahaeiJonesetal.2017, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Sheikhbahaei, Sara and Jones, Krystyna M. and Javadi, Mehrbod S. and Solnes, Lilja B. and Ross, Ashley E. and Allaf, Mohamad E. and Pienta, Kenneth J. and Lapa, Constantin and Buck, Andreas K. and Higuchi, Takahiro and Pomper, Martin G. and Gorin, Micheal A. and Rowe, Steven P.}, title = {Patterns of uptake of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL in peripheral ganglia}, series = {Annals of Nuclear Medicine}, volume = {31}, journal = {Annals of Nuclear Medicine}, number = {9}, issn = {0914-7187}, doi = {10.1007/s12149-017-1201-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166971}, pages = {696-702}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Objective: Radiotracers targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have increasingly been recognized as showing uptake in a number of normal structures, anatomic variants, and non-prostate-cancer pathologies. We aimed to explore the frequency and degree of uptake in peripheral ganglia in patients undergoing PET with the PSMA-targeted agent \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL. Methods: A total of 98 patients who underwent \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL PET/CT imaging were retrospectively analyzed. This included 76 men with prostate cancer (PCa) and 22 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC; 13 men, 9 women). Scans were evaluated for uptake in the cervical, stellate, celiac, lumbar and sacral ganglia. Maximum standardized uptake value corrected to body weight (SUV\(_{max}\)), and maximum standardized uptake value corrected to lean body mass (SUL\(_{max}\)) were recorded for all ganglia with visible uptake above background. Ganglia-to-background ratios were calculated by dividing the SUV\(_{max}\) and SUL\(_{max}\) values by the mean uptake in the ascending aorta (Aortamean) and the right gluteus muscle (Gluteusmean). Results: Overall, 95 of 98 (96.9\%) patients demonstrated uptake in at least one of the evaluated peripheral ganglia. With regard to the PCa cohort, the most frequent sites of radiotracer accumulation were lumbar ganglia (55/76, 72.4\%), followed by the cervical ganglia (51/76, 67.1\%). Bilateral uptake was found in the majority of cases [lumbar 44/55 (80\%) and cervical 30/51 (58.8\%)]. Additionally, discernible radiotracer uptake was recorded in 50/76 (65.8\%) of the analyzed stellate ganglia and in 45/76 (59.2\%) of the celiac ganglia, whereas only 5/76 (6.6\%) of the sacral ganglia demonstrated \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL accumulation. Similar findings were observed for patients with RCC, with the most frequent locations of radiotracer uptake in both the lumbar (20/22, 90.9\%) and cervical ganglia (19/ 22, 86.4\%). No laterality preference was found in mean PSMA-ligand uptake for either the PCa or RCC cohorts. Conclusion: As PSMA-targeted agents become more widely disseminated, the patterns of uptake in structures that are not directly relevant to patients' cancers must be understood. This is the first systematic evaluation of the uptake of \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL in ganglia demonstrating a general trend with a descending frequency of radiotracer accumulation in lumbar, cervical, stellate, celiac, and sacral ganglia. The underlying biology that leads to variability of PSMA-targeted radiotracers in peripheral ganglia is not currently understood, but may provide opportunities for future research.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} }