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Das Prostatakarzinom (PCa) stellt derzeit in Deutschland die häufigste Krebserkrankung der männlichen Bevölkerung dar und steht bei den tödlich verlaufenden Malignomen an zweiter Stelle. Aktuell umfasst die Diagnostik immer öfter auch eine molekulare Bildgebung mittels PET/CT und den Tracern [18F]Cholin und [68Ga]PSMA. Letzterer detektiert selektiv das prostataspezifische Membranantigen (PSMA), welches in Prostatakarzinomzellen häufig überexprimiert ist. Das Wachstum von PCa geschieht in der Regel androgenabhängig, wobei sich auch teilweise eine androgenunabhängige Entwicklung findet. Für das bei kastrationsresistenten Karzinomen und fortgeschrittenen Stadien eingesetzte Chemotherapeutikum Docetaxel, werden immer wieder Resistenzentwicklungen beobachtet, wodurch dieses nur unzureichend effektiv ist. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Eignung verschiedener PET-Tracer ([18F]FDG, [18F]Cholin und [68Ga]PSMA) zur Bildgebung androgenabhängiger und -unabhängiger Prostatakarzinomzellen zu testen sowie ihr Potential zur Beurteilung des Therapieansprechens auf Docetaxel zu untersuchen. Weiterhin sollte untersucht werden, ob die [68Ga]PSMA-Retention mit der PSMA-Expression korreliert. Im zweiten Teil wurde ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Expression von PSMA und der Resistenzentwicklung gegen Docetaxel untersucht.
Methoden: Für die in-vitro Experimente wurden die hormonabhängige Zelllinie LNCaP sowie die hormonunabhängige Zelllinie LNCaP C4-2 verwendet. Im zweiten Teil wurden zusätzlich PSMA-negative PC-3 Zellen eingesetzt. Die aufgenommene bzw. gebundene Traceraktivität wurde mittels Gammacounter gemessen. Die Untersuchung der PSMA-Expression erfolgte mit Western-Blot und Durchflusszytometrie. Ein PSMA-Knockdown-System wurde mittels siRNA in LNCaP-Zellen etabliert.
Ergebnisse: Die PSMA-Expression und die Sensitivität gegenüber Docetaxel waren bei LNCaP Zellen tendenziell erhöht gegenüber der LNCaP C4-2 Zelllinie. Nach Docetaxelbehandlung zeigte sich in beiden Zellreihen eine unveränderte PSMA-Expression. Der PSMA-spezifische PET-Tracer zeigte, im Vergleich zu den metabolischen Tracern [18F]FDG und [18F]Cholin, eine nur sehr geringe Retention. Im Vergleich der Zelllinien untereinander nahmen LNCaP C4-2 Zellen ca. 50 % mehr [18F]FDG auf als LNCaP Zellen. Die Aufnahme von [18F]Cholin unterschied sich nicht signifikant. Der Tracer [68Ga]PSMA zeigte eine höhere Bindung an LNCaP Zellen im Vergleich zu LNCaP C4-2 Zellen. In weiteren Versuchen konnte gezeigt werden, dass sowohl [18F]FDG als auch [18F]Cholin, nicht jedoch [68Ga]PSMA in vitro ein Therapieansprechen auf Docetaxel durch verminderte Traceraufnahme in beiden Zelllinien aufzeigen. Es konnte zudem eine direkte Korrelation zwischen der [68Ga]PSMA-Bindung und der PSMA-Expression nachgewiesen werden.
Nach einer siRNA-vermittelten Verminderung der PSMA-Expression in LNCaP Zellen (Knockdown-Zellen) zeigte sich eine deutlich geringere Sensitivität für Docetaxel. Gleichzeitig war jedoch die Docetaxelsensitivität von PSMA-negativen PC-3 Zellen höher als die von LNCaP Knockdown-Zellen.
Schlussfolgerung: Insgesamt zeigten unsere Untersuchungen, dass sich die PET-Tracer [18F]FDG und [68Ga]PSMA zur Unterscheidung des androgenabhängigen Zellmodells vom androgenunabhängigen Modell eignen. Außerdem ermöglicht der [68Ga]PSMA-Tracer eine Einschätzung der PSMA-Expression. Die Tracer [18F]FDG und [18F]Cholin eignen sich in vitro für die Beurteilung des Therapieansprechens einer Docetaxeltherapie, [68Ga]PSMA dagegen nicht. Die PSMA-Expression scheint ein entscheidender, aber nicht alleinstehender Faktor für die Sensitivität von LNCaP Zellen gegenüber Docetaxel zu sein. Es scheinen hierbei allerdings eher der Verlust von PSMA, wie im Knockdown-Modell induziert, sowie bislang unbekannte Faktoren eine wichtige Rolle zu spielen.
Die autoimmune Thyreoiditis nach Hashimoto stellt aktuell eine der häufigsten Autoimmunerkrankungen eines Organs und die häufigste Ursache der Hypothyreose dar. Die Hashimotothyreoiditis (HT) weist eine hohe Prävalenz und Inzidenz auf. Es existieren Hinweise, dass die Inzidenz der HT aus noch nicht geklärten Gründen gestiegen sein könnte.
Die Kohlenhydrate Fruktose, Laktose und Sorbitol werden in der Lebensmittelproduktion umfassend eingesetzt. Insbesondere die industrielle Verwendung sowie der weltweite Konsum von Fruktose und Laktose unterlagen in den letzten Jahrzehnten einer rasanten Steigerung, obwohl ein hoher Prozentsatz der Bevölkerung zur Malassimilation jener Kohlenhydrate prädisponiert ist.
In einer internistischen Praxis (Praxis Frau Dr. med. I. Heckl, Bad Homburg) zeigte sich, dass HT-Patienten trotz verifizierter Euthyreose vermehrt über gastrointestinale Symptome berichteten. Unter anderem wurden eine bakterielle Fehlbesiedelung des Dünndarmes und eine Zöliakie ausgeschlossen. In der weiteren Abklärung durch die Praxis Dr. I. Heckl wurde eine deutliche Häufung der Malassimilation der Kohlenhydrate Fruktose, Laktose oder Sorbitol unter euthyreoten HT-Patienten ersichtlich. In Abhängigkeit von einer konsequenten Nahrungsumstellung normalisierten sich regelmäßig das Befinden der Patienten sowie die sonographischen, die serologischen und die laborchemischen Marker der HT, sodass man einen ursächlichen Zusammenhang empirisch vermuten konnte.
Im Rahmen einer prospektiven Studie sollte dieser neu beobachtete Zusammenhang zwischen der HT und der Kohlenhydratmalassimilation in der Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin der Universität Würzburg untersucht werden.
In einem unizentrischen Fall-Kontroll-Studiendesign wurden 45 euthyreote HT-Patienten und 38 schilddrüsengesunde Kontrollpersonen auf das Vorliegen einer Kohlenhydratmalassimilation mittels des Wasserstoffatemtests (H2-Atemtest) untersucht. Alle Probanden erhielten einen Fruktose-H2-Atemtest sowie einen Laktose-H2-Atemtest inklusive einer kapillären Blutglukosemessung. Im Falle eines positiven Ergebnisses des Fruktose-H2-Atemtests wurde ein Glukose-H2-Atemtest zum Ausschluss einer bakteriellen Fehlbesiedelung des Dünndarmes durchgeführt. Lieferte der Fruktose-H2-Atemtest ein negatives Ergebnis, so folgte ein H2-Atemtest mit Sorbitol. Das Auftreten gastrointestinaler Symptome während der Testdurchführung wurde dokumentiert. Symptomfragebögen und semiquantitative Ernährungsfragebögen im retrospektiven Design dienten der Erfassung alltäglicher Symptome und Ernährungsgewohnheiten. Blutproben dienten der Messung von Schilddrüsenhormonen, Schilddrüsenautoantikörpern, Gewebstransglutaminase-Antikörpern und Antiparietalzell-Autoantikörpern.
Unter den euthyreoten HT-Patienten konnte ein signifikant häufigeres Auftreten der Fruktose- sowie der Laktosemalassimilation im Vergleich zu den schilddrüsengesunden Kontrollpersonen demonstriert werden. Die Fruktosemalassimilation wurde bei den HT-Patienten mit 48,9% signifikant häufiger als in der Kontrollgruppe nachgewiesen (p=0,035). Im Kontrollgruppenkollektiv hatte eine Fruktosemalassimilation lediglich bei 26,3% der Probanden bestanden. Eine Laktosemalassimilation wurde bei den HT-Patienten mit 42,2% signifikant häufiger als im Kontrollkollektiv diagnostiziert, welches in 21,1% der Fälle eine Laktosemalassimilation aufwies (p=0,04). Insgesamt lag eine Fruktose- und / oder Laktosemalassimilation bei 73,3% der HT-Patienten und bei 42,1% der Kontrollgruppenprobanden vor. Somit vertrugen nur 26,7% der Fallgruppe, jedoch 57,9% der Kontrollgruppe beide Kohlenhydrate (p=0,004). Hinsichtlich der Prävalenz der Sorbitolmalassimilation oder eines positiven Glukose-H2-Atemtestes kam kein signifikanter Unterschied zur Darstellung. Die Auswertung der Ernährungsfragebögen zeigte für beide Kollektive eine vergleichbare durchschnittliche Konsummenge der jeweiligen Kohlenhydrate auf.
Gastrointestinale Symptome waren während des Laktose-H2-Atemtests sowie während des Fruktose-H2-Atemtests jeweils in der Fallgruppe signifikant häufiger anzutreffen als in der Kontrollgruppe. Auch im Hinblick auf das Alltagsleben beschrieben die euthyreoten HT-Patienten signifikant häufiger unter den folgenden Symptomen zu leiden: Weicher Stuhlgang, Oberbauchschmerzen, Meteorismus, laute Darmgeräusche, „Kugelbauch“, Sodbrennen, Schleimauflagerungen des Stuhlgangs, Obstipation, Müdigkeit, postprandiale Kraftlosigkeit, Depressionen, Heißhunger auf Süßes, Migräne, Konzentrationsmangel und eine vermehrte Infektanfälligkeit.
Zur Kausalität des hier erstmals beschriebenen Zusammenhangs existieren mehrere Hypothesen. Die Einteilung der HT-Patienten gemäß ihrer Schilddrüsenautoantikörper-Titer in Subkollektive ergab keinen Hinweis auf einen Einfluss der Aktivität des Autoimmungeschehens auf die Häufigkeit der Kohlenhydratmalassimilation. Es steht zur Diskussion, ob die HT zur Entstehung einer Kohlenhydratmalassimilation führen, oder ob eine vorbestehende Kohlenhydratmalassimilation, im Sinne eines neu identifizierten Risikofaktors, zur Genese einer HT prädisponieren könnte.
In der vorliegenden Studie konnte erstmalig eine signifikante Häufung der Kohlenhydratmalassimilation bei euthyreoten HT-Patienten aufgezeigt werden. Vor dem Hintergrund der weitreichenden lebensmittelindustriellen Verwendung und des hohen Konsums der Kohlenhydrate Fruktose, Laktose und Sorbitol sowie der hohen Prävalenz und Inzidenz der HT, ergibt sich eine hohe Relevanz des hier nachgewiesenen Zusammenhangs. In der differenzialdiagnostischen Abklärung gastrointestinaler Beschwerden bei euthyreoten HT-Patienten nimmt die hier beschriebene Assoziation zwischen der HT und der Kohlenhydratmalassimilation einen besonderen Stellenwert ein. Die Kohlenhydratmalassimilation verkörpert einen neuen, sowohl klinisch, als auch potentiell pathogenetisch relevanten Aspekt der Hashimotothyreoiditis.
Die Detektion des Prostataspezifischen Membranantigens (PSMA) mittels kombinierter Positronenemissions- und Computertomographie (PET/CT) ist ein etabliertes diagnostisches Verfahren bei Patienten mit Prostatakarzinom. Hierbei ist bislang unklar, ob und wie eine bereits eingeleitete Androgendeprivationstherapie (ADT) die diagnostische Genauigkeit der PSMA-PET/CT beeinflusst. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Detektionsrate der PSMA-PET/CT mit 68Ga-PSMA I&T unter ADT in Abhängigkeit des PSA-Wertes zu evaluieren und mit einer Kontrollgruppe ohne ADT zu vergleichen. In dieser retrospektiven Studie wurden Daten von Patienten mit biochemischem Rezidiv nach radikaler Prostatektomie analysiert, welche zwischen 2014 und 2018 eine PSMA-PET/CT am Universitätsklinikum Würzburg erhalten haben. Mittels Propensity Score Matching wurde für die Patienten mit ADT innerhalb der letzten 6 Monate vor Durchführung der PSMA-PET/CT eine Kontrollgruppe ohne ADT erstellt. Die Patienten mit ADT (n=62) wiesen eine signifikant höhere Detektionsrate auf als die Patienten ohne ADT (n=62). Die Traceranreicherung unterschied sich nicht signifikant in beiden Gruppen. Dagegen wiesen die Patienten mit ADT jedoch eine signifikant höhere Tumorlast auf und hatten häufiger Knochen- und Organmetastasen, sodass als Ursache für die höhere Detektionsrate der PSMA-PET/CT bei Patienten mit ADT ein fortgeschritteneres Tumorstadium angenommen wurde. Die Detektionsrate war bei den Patienten mit ADT auch bei niedrigen PSA-Werten hoch. Es scheint daher nicht erforderlich zu sein, eine bestehende ADT vor Durchführung der PSMA-PET/CT im biochemischen Rezidiv abzusetzen und damit das Risiko einer Krankheitsprogression einzugehen. Die Korrelation des PSA-Wertes mit der Tumorlast in der PSMA-PET/CT war bei Patienten mit ADT geringer ausgeprägt als bei Patienten ohne ADT. Patienten unter ADT könnten daher von einer regelmäßigen Durchführung der PSMA-PET/CT zur Überwachung der Krankheitsprogression profitieren. Hier bleibt allerdings eine Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse abzuwarten, da dies deutlich aufwendiger und teurer ist als die Bestimmung des PSA-Wertes.
Die molekularen Parameter PSMA-TV und TL-PSMA im 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT leiten sich ab von MTV und TLG im FDG PET/CT. Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die Grenzen neuer Autosegmentierungsprogramme durch eine maximale Belastung mit großen Tumorvolumina von Patienten unter taxanbasierter Chemotherapie ausgelotet. Die Programme Syngo.via und FIJI kamen zu vergleichbaren Ergebnissen. Patienten mit einem Gleason Score von 8-10 zeigten unter Therapie eine signifikante Zunahme des PSMA-TV und TL-PSMA im Gegensatz zu Patienten mit Gleason Score 6-7b. Ein hoher PSA-Wert korrelierte zu allen Zeitpunkten signifikant mit einem hohen PSMA-TV und TL-PSMA, ebenso korrelierte ein steigender PSA-Wert signifikant mit steigenden Werten in PSMA-TV und TL-PSMA. Patienten mit einem biochemischen Progress und einem Progress nach modifiziertem PERCIST zeigten vor Therapie ein signifikant höheres PSMA-TV und TL-PSMA als Patienten ohne Progress und unter Therapie eine signifikante Zunahme des PSMA-TV und TL-PSMA im Vergleich zu Patienten ohne Progress. Eine Einteilung des Therapieansprechens aller Patienten in CR, PR, SD und PD nach PSMA-TV, TL-PSMA, PSA-Wert und modifiziertem PERCIST stimmte nicht in allen Patienten überein. Ein signifikant kürzeres Gesamtüberleben zeigten lediglich Patienten mit einem nach dem PSA-Wert definiertem Progress. Im praktischen Vergleich der beiden Programme benötigte Syngo.via für eine komplette Segmentierung signifikant mehr Zeit als FIJI, vor allem da der Wechsel von VOI zu VOI signifikant länger dauerte. Unabhängig vom Autosegmentierungsprogramm dauerte eine komplette Segmentierung länger, je größer das PSMA-TV und das TL-PSMA war, je mehr VOIs das Programm automatisch setzte und je mehr VOIs manuell gelöscht und neu gesetzt wurden. In der Gesamtschau bieten PSMA-TV und TL-PSMA in Kombination mit den sich schnell weiterentwickelnden Autosegmentierungs-Programmen die Möglichkeit, auch sehr hohe Tumorlasten des PCas objektiv und vergleichbar zu beschreiben.
Purpose
Adrenal tumors represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Promising results have been obtained through targeting the cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 for molecular imaging, and [\(^{123/131}\)I]iodometomidate ([\(^{123/131}\)I]IMTO) has even been successfully introduced as a theranostic agent. As this radiopharmaceutical shows rapid metabolic inactivation, we aimed at developing new improved tracers.
Methods
Several IMTO derivatives were newly designed by replacing the unstable methyl ester by different carboxylic esters or amides. The inhibition of aldosterone and cortisol synthesis was tested in different adrenocortical cell lines. The corresponding radiolabeled compounds were assessed regarding their stability, in vitro cell uptake, in vivo biodistribution in mice, and their binding specificity to cryosections of human adrenocortical and non-adrenocortical tissue. Furthermore, a first investigation was performed in patients with known metastatic adrenal cancer using both [\(^{123}\)I]IMTO and the most promising compound (R)-1-[1-(4-[\(^{123/}\)I]iodophenyl)ethyl]-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylic acid azetidinylamide ([\(^{123}\)I]IMAZA) for scintigraphy. Subsequently, a first endoradiotherapy with [\(^{131}\)I]IMAZA in one of these patients was performed.
Results
We identified three analogues to IMTO with high-affinity binding to the target enzymes and comparable or higher metabolic stability and very high and specific accumulation in adrenocortical cells in vitro and in vivo. Labeled IMAZA exhibited superior pharmacokinetic and imaging properties compared to IMTO in mice and 3 patients, too. An endoradiotherapy with [\(^{131}\)I]IMAZA induced a 21-month progression-free interval in a patient with rapidly progressing ACC prior this therapy.
Conclusion
We developed the new radiopharmaceutical [\(^{123/131}\)I]IMAZA with superior properties compared to the reference compound IMTO and promising first experiences in humans.
Purpose
Repeat surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is associated with an increased risk of complications and failure. This stresses the need for optimized strategies to accurately localize a parathyroid adenoma before repeat surgery is performed. However, evidence on the extent of required diagnostics for a structured approach is sparse.
Methods
A retrospective single-center evaluation of 28 patients with an indication for surgery due to pHPT and previous thyroid or parathyroid surgery was performed. Diagnostic workup, surgical approach, and outcome in terms of complications and successful removement of parathyroid adenoma with biochemical cure were evaluated.
Results
Neck ultrasound, sestamibi scintigraphy, C11-methionine PET-CT, and selective parathyroid hormone venous sampling, but not MRI imaging, effectively detected the presence of a parathyroid adenoma with high positive predictive values. Biochemical cure was revealed by normalization of calcium and parathormone levels 24-48h after surgery and was achieved in 26/28 patients (92.9%) with an overall low rate of complications. Concordant localization by at least two diagnostic modalities enabled focused surgery with success rates of 100%, whereas inconclusive localization significantly increased the rate of bilateral explorations and significantly reduced the rate of biochemical cure to 80%.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that two concordant diagnostic modalities are sufficient to accurately localize parathyroid adenoma before repeat surgery for pHPT. In cases of poor localization, extended diagnostic procedures are warranted to enhance surgical success rates. We suggest an algorithm for better orientation when repeat surgery is intended in patients with pHPT.
Despite improved survival in the Rituximab (R) era, a considerable number of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) ultimately die from the disease. Functional imaging using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-PET is suggested for assessment of residual viable tumor very early during treatment but is compromised by non-specific tracer retention in inflammatory lesions. The PET tracer [18F]fluorodeoxythymidine (FLT) as surrogate marker of tumor proliferation may overcome this limitation. We present results of a prospective clinical study testing FLT-PET as superior and early predictor of response to chemotherapy and outcome in DLBCL. 54 patients underwent FLT-PET prior to and one week after the start of R-CHOP chemotherapy. Repetitive FLT-PET imaging was readily implemented into the diagnostic work-up. Our data demonstrate that the reduction of FLT standard uptake valuemean (SUVmean) and SUVmax one week after chemotherapy was significantly higher in patients achieving complete response (CR, n=48; non-CR, n=6; p<0.006). Martingale-residual and Cox proportional hazard analyses showed a significant monotonous decrease of mortality risk with increasing change in SUV. Consistent with these results, early FLT-PET response showed relevant discriminative ability in predicting CR. In conclusion, very early FLT-PET in the course of R-CHOP chemotherapy is feasible and enables identification of patients at risk for treatment failure.
Background: Use of FDG-PET/CT for staging and restaging of lymphoma patients is widely incorporated into current practice guidelines. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of FDG-PET/MRI and WB-DW-MRI compared with FDG-FDG-PET/CT using a tri-modality PET/CT-MRI system.
Methods: From 04/12 to 01/14, a total of 82 FDG-PET/CT examinations including an additional scientific MRI on a tri-modality setup were performed in 61 patients. FDG-PET/CT, FDG-PET/MRI, and WB-DW-MRI were independently analyzed. A lesion with a mean ADC below a threshold of 1.2 x 10\(^{-3}\) mm\(^2\)/s was defined as positive for restricted diffusion. FDG-PET/CT and FDG-PET/MRI were evaluated for the detection of lesions corresponding to lymphoma manifestations according to the German Hodgkin Study Group. Imaging findings were validated by biopsy (n = 21), by follow-up imaging comprising CT, FDG-PET/CT, and/or FDG-PET/MRI (n = 32), or clinically (n = 25) (mean follow-up: 9.1 months).
Results: FDG-PET/MRI and FDG-PET/CT accurately detected 188 lesions in 27 patients. Another 54 examinations in 35 patients were negative. WB-DW-MRI detected 524 lesions, of which 125 (66.5 % of the aforementioned 188 lesions) were true positive. Among the 188 lesions positive for lymphoma, FDG-PET/MRI detected all 170 instances of nodal disease and also all 18 extranodal lymphoma manifestations; by comparison, WB-DW-MRI characterized 115 (67.6 %) and 10 (55.6 %) lesions as positive for nodal and extranodal disease, respectively. FDG-PET/MRI was superior to WB-DW-MRI in detecting lymphoma manifestations in patients included for staging (113 vs. 73), for restaging (75 vs. 52), for evaluation of high-(127 vs. 81) and low-grade lymphomas (61 vs. 46), and for definition of Ann Arbor stage (WB-DW-MRI resulted in upstaging in 60 cases, including 45 patients free of disease, and downstaging in 4).
Conclusion: Our results indicate that FDG-PET/CT and FDG-PET/MRI probably have a similar performance in the clinical work-up of lymphomas. The performance of WB-DW-MRI was generally inferior to that of both FDG-PET-based methods but the technique might be used in specific scenarios, e.g., in low-grade lymphomas and during surveillance.
Various single or multi-modality therapeutic options are available to treat pain of bone metastasis in patients with prostate cancer. Different radionuclides that emit β-rays such as 153Samarium and 89Strontium and achieve palliation are commercially available. In contrast to β-emitters, 223Radium as a α-emitter has a short path-length. The advantage of the α-emitter is thus a highly localized biological effect that is caused by radiation induced DNA double-strand breaks and subsequent cell killing and/or limited effectiveness of cellular repair mechanisms. Due to the limited range of the α-particles the bone surface to red bone marrow dose ratio is also lower for 223Radium which is expressed in a lower myelotoxicity. The α emitter 223Radium dichloride is the first radiopharmaceutical that significantly prolongs life in castrate resistant prostate cancer patients with wide-spread bone metastatic disease. In a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study 921 patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases were randomly assigned. The analysis confirmed the 223Radium survival benefit compared to the placebo (median, 14.9 mo vs 11.3 mo; P < 0.001). In addition, the treatment results in pain palliation and thus, improved quality of life and a delay of skeletal related events. At the same time the toxicity profile of 223Radium was favourable. Since May 2013, 223Radium dichloride (Xofigo®) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Core tip: The incidence rate of prostate cancer worldwide is high. Ninety percent of patients dying of prostate cancer have bone metastases with varying symptoms which are significantly impairing their quality of life. 223Radium is the first therapeutic that results in a survival benefit for patients with bone metastatic, castrate resistant prostate cancer. 223Radium was also associated with low myelosuppression rates and fewer adverse events.This article provides an overview of the pre-clinical and clinical trials with 223Radium.
Purpose of Review
Statins are routinely applied in patients with coronary artery disease, as they allow significantly to reduce blood cholesterol levels. Although those drugs are endorsed by current guidelines and prescribed routinely, a substantial portion of patients are still statin-intolerant and image-piloted strategies may then be helpful to identify patients that need further intensified treatment, e.g., to initiate treatment with proprotein convertase subtilisin / kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i). In addition, it has also been advocated that statins exhibit nonlipid, cardio-protective effects including improved cardiac nerve integrity, blood flow, and anti-inflammatory effects in congestive heart failure (HF) patients.
Recent Findings
In subjects after myocardial infarction treated with statins, \(^{123}\)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy has already revealed enhanced cardiac nerve function relative to patients without statins. In addition, all of those aforementioned statin-targeted pathways in HF can be visualized and monitored using dedicated cardiac radiotracers, e.g., \(^{123}\)I-MIBG or \(^{18}\)F-AF78 (for cardiac nerve function), \(^{18}\)F-flurpiridaz (to determine coronary flow) or \(^{68}\)Ga-PentixaFor (to detect inflammation).
Summary
Statins exhibit various cardio-beneficial effects, including improvement of cardiac nerve function, blood flow, and reduction of inflammation, which can all be imaged using dedicated nuclear cardiac radiotracers. This may allow for in vivo monitoring of statin-induced cardioprotection beyond lipid profiling in HF patients.
Ziel der Studie lag in der Analyse des Zusammenhangs von Muskel- und Knochenmasse als Surrogat für Kraft und Knochenfestigkeit. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden 265 gesunde und chronisch kranke Kinder und Jugendliche auf ihre Körperzusammensetzung untersucht.(Anorexia nervosa: 40, Hypophosphatasie: 10, Kraniopharyngeom: 12 und juveniles Rheuma: 68, Referenzgruppe: 79 gesunde weissrussische Mädchen und 56 Jungen). Die Untersuchungsergebnisse der DXA Messungen bestätigen , dass die Knochenmasse als Surrogat für Festigkeit eng mit der Muskelmasse korreliert. Mit zunehmender Muskelmasse steigt auch der BMC an. Die Ergebnisse der Studie stehen im Einklang mit dem von Frost postuliertem Regelkreis, der einen kausalen Zusammenhang zwischen Muskelkraft und Knochenfestigkeit beschrieb. Generell zeigte sich, dass das Surrogat Knochendichte diesen Zusammenhang weniger scharf beschreibt als die Knochenmasse. Darüber hinaus fanden sich Störungen des Regelkreises, deren Ursachen zum Teil Gegenstand der Abklärung in weiterführenden Studien bleiben.
Background
Small-animal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) systems with multi-pinhole collimation and large stationary detectors have advantages compared to systems with moving small detectors. These systems benefit from less labour-intensive maintenance and quality control as fewer prone parts are moving, higher accuracy for focused scans and maintaining high resolution with increased sensitivity due to focused pinholes on the field of view. This study aims to investigate the performance of a novel ultra-high-resolution scanner with two-detector configuration (U-SPECT5-E) and to compare its image quality to a conventional micro-SPECT system with three stationary detectors (U-SPECT\(^+\)).
Methods
The new U-SPECT5-E with two stationary detectors was used for acquiring data with \(^{99m}\)Tc-filled point source, hot-rod and uniformity phantoms to analyse sensitivity, spatial resolution, uniformity and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Three dedicated multi-pinhole mouse collimators with 75 pinholes each and 0.25-, 0.60- and 1.00-mm pinholes for extra ultra-high resolution (XUHR-M), general-purpose (GP-M) and ultra-high sensitivity (UHS-M) imaging were examined. For CNR analysis, four different activity ranges representing low- and high-count settings were investigated for all three collimators. The experiments for the performance assessment were repeated with the same GP-M collimator in the three-detector U-SPECT\(^+\) for comparison.
Results
Peak sensitivity was 237 cps/MBq (XUHR-M), 847 cps/MBq (GP-M), 2054 cps/MBq (UHS-M) for U-SPECT5-E and 1710 cps/MBq (GP-M) for U-SPECT\(^+\). In the visually analysed sections of the reconstructed mini Derenzo phantoms, rods as small as 0.35 mm (XUHR-M), 0.50 mm (GP-M) for the two-detector as well as the three-detector SPECT and 0.75 mm (UHS-M) were resolved. Uniformity for maximum resolution recorded 40.7% (XUHR-M), 29.1% (GP-M, U-SPECT5-E), 16.3% (GP-M, U-SPECT\(^+\)) and 23.0% (UHS-M), respectively. UHS-M reached highest CNR values for low-count images; for rods smaller than 0.45 mm, acceptable CNR was only achieved by XUHR-M. GP-M was superior for imaging rods sized from 0.60 to 1.50 mm for intermediate activity concentrations. U-SPECT5-E and U-SPECT+ both provided comparable CNR.
Conclusions
While uniformity and sensitivity are negatively affected by the absence of a third detector, the investigated U-SPECT5-E system with two stationary detectors delivers excellent spatial resolution and CNR comparable to the performance of an established three-detector-setup.
SPECT as a representative of molecular imaging allows visualization of metabolic processes in vivo. In clinical practice, single photon emission imaging is an established modality for myocardial perfusion imaging or the diagnosis of adrenal or neuroendocrine tumors, to name a few. With technical advances in scanner design and data processing leading to improved spatial resolution and image quality, SPECT has become a serious contender in small animal preclinical imaging. With multi-pinhole collimation, submillimeter spatial resolutions are achieved without limiting sensitivity, which has led to a significant increase of interest in SPECT for preclinical research in recent years.
In this dissertation, the potential of a two-detector system through an analysis of three dedicated mouse collimators with multi-pinhole configurations was demonstrated. For this, sensitivity, spatial resolution, and uniformity as key parameters were determined. In the second part of the present work, an evaluation of the image quality at different activity concentrations to allow prediction of the system performance related to in vivo studies was performed. Therefore, a visual evaluation, as well as a calculation of the contrastto-noise ratio, was performed using mini Derenzo phantoms for the respective three mouse collimators. To better classify the results, the study was extended by a comparison with the predecessor system.
Due to the absence of the third bottom detector, sensitivity and uniformity are slightly compromised. All three collimators were able to achieve a spatial resolution in the submillimeter range, XUHR-M offers a peak resolution of up to 0.35 mm. In terms of resolution, both evaluated systems performed on an equal level. Visual assessment of image quality indicates a slight advantage of the new two-detector system, and the contrast-to-noise ratio seems to benefit from the improved SROSEM algorithm. However, the differences between the two systems are marginal.
The U-SPECT5/CT E-Class is proven to be state-of-the-art for small animal imaging and is a powerful instrument for preclinical molecular imaging research. Improvements in system design compensate well for the reduction in the detection area, allowing excellent imaging even with low activity concentrations.
Purpose
The radiolabelled somatostatin analogue [\(^{177}\)Lu]Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE binds to albumin via Evans blue, thereby increasing the residence time in the blood and potentially allowing more therapeutic agent to be absorbed into the target tissue during peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. It was tested in selected patients whether the substance is superior to [\(^{177}\)Lu]Lu-DOTA-TOC.
Methods
Activity kinetics in organs and tumours after [\(^{177}\)Lu]Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE and [\(^{177}\)Lu]Lu-DOTA-TOC were compared intraindividually in five patients with progressive somatostatin receptor-positive disease scheduled for radionuclide therapy.
Resuluts
In comparison to [\(^{177}\)Lu]Lu-DOTA-TOC, tumour doses per administered activity were higher for [\(^{177}\)Lu]Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE in 4 of 5 patients (median ratio: 1.7; range: 0.9 to 3.9), kidney doses (median ratio: 3.2; range: 1.6 to 9.8) as well as spleen doses (median ratio: 4.7; range 1.2 to 6.2) in all patients, and liver doses in 3 of 4 evaluable patients (median ratio: 4.0; range: 0.7 to 4.9). The tumour to critical organs absorbed dose ratios were higher after [\(^{177}\)Lu]Lu-DOTA-TOC in 4 of 5 patients.
Conclusions
Prior to a treatment with [\(^{177}\)Lu]Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE, it should be assessed individually whether the compound is superior to established substances.
Der spezifischste und sensitivste biochemische Tumormarker in der Diagnostik und Verlaufskontrolle des MTC ist Kalzitonin. Der hCT-Spiegel sollte nach totaler Thyreoidektomie nicht mehr messbar sein. Ein messbares hCT weist nach Therapie auf ein Rezidiv oder eine Metastasierung hin. Die hCT-Sekretion kann durch Gastrin stimuliert werden, was beim Pentagastrin-Stimulationstest genutzt wird. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde untersucht, welchen Stellenwert die Bestimmung des basalen Kalzitonin im Vergleich zum Pentagastrin-stimulierten hCT in der Nachsorge des MTC einnimmt. Hierzu wurden 129 Pentagastrintests von MTC-Patienten der Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin der Universität Würzburg retrospektiv ausgewertet. Bei sechs Prozent der Patienten fand sich nach anfänglicher biochemischer Remission ein hCT-Anstieg. Die im Pentagastrintest stimulierten hCT-Werte zeigten den Anstieg früher an als die lediglich basal gemessenen Werte. Das Ergebnis dieser Arbeit lässt den Schluss zu, dass der Pentagastrintest weiterhin ein wichtiger Bestandteil in der Nachsorge von Patienten mit MTC ist, da die stimulierten hCT-Werte im Einzelfall eine noch subklinische residuelle Erkrankung, Metastasierung oder ein Rezidiv frühzeitig detektieren.
Isolated generalized dystonia is a central motor network disorder characterized by twisted movements or postures. The most frequent genetic cause is a GAG deletion in the Tor1a (DYT1) gene encoding torsinA with a reduced penetrance of 30-40 % suggesting additional genetic or environmental modifiers. Development of dystonia-like movements after a standardized peripheral nerve crush lesion in wild type (wt) and Tor1a+/- mice, that express 50 % torsinA only, was assessed by scoring of hindlimb movements during tail suspension, by rotarod testing and by computer-assisted gait analysis. Western blot analysis was performed for dopamine transporter (DAT), D1 and D2 receptors from striatal and quantitative RT-PCR analysis for DAT from midbrain dissections. Autoradiography was used to assess the functional DAT binding in striatum. Striatal dopamine and its metabolites were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. After nerve crush injury, we found abnormal posturing in the lesioned hindlimb of both mutant and wt mice indicating the profound influence of the nerve lesion (15x vs. 12x relative to control) resembling human peripheral pseudodystonia. In mutant mice the phenotypic abnormalities were increased by about 40 % (p < 0.05). This was accompanied by complex alterations of striatal dopamine homeostasis. Pharmacological blockade of dopamine synthesis reduced severity of dystonia-like movements, whereas treatment with L-Dopa aggravated these but only in mutant mice suggesting a DYT1 related central component relevant to the development of abnormal involuntary movements. Our findings suggest that upon peripheral nerve injury reduced torsinA concentration and environmental stressors may act in concert in causing the central motor network dysfunction of DYT1 dystonia.
Pathophysiological understanding of gait and balance disorders in Parkinson’s disease is insufficient and late recognition of fall risk limits efficacious followup to prevent or delay falls. We show a distinctive reduction of glucose metabolism in the left posterior parietal cortex, with increased metabolic activity in the cerebellum, in parkinsonian patients 6–8 months before their first fall episode. Falls in Parkinson’s disease may arise from altered cortical processing of body spatial orientation, possibly predicted by abnormal cortical metabolism.
We investigated in vivo brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) distribution in cognitively intact subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) at an early stage of the disease. Fourteen patients and 13 healthy subjects were imaged with single photon emission computed tomography and the radiotracer 5-[(123)I]iodo-3-[2(S)-2-azetidinylmethoxy]pyridine ([(123)I]5IA). Patients were selected according to several criteria, including short duration of motor signs (<7 years) and normal scores at an extensive neuropsychological evaluation. In PD patients, nAChR density was significantly higher in the putamen, the insular cortex and the supplementary motor area and lower in the caudate nucleus, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the middle temporal gyrus. Disease duration positively correlated with nAChR density in the putamen ipsilateral (ρ = 0.56, p < 0.05) but not contralateral (ρ = 0.49, p = 0.07) to the clinically most affected hemibody. We observed, for the first time in vivo, higher nAChR density in brain regions of the motor and limbic basal ganglia circuits of subjects with PD. Our findings support the notion of an up-regulated cholinergic activity at the striatal and possibly cortical level in cognitively intact PD patients at an early stage of disease.
Background
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability. Neuroinflammation contributes to acute damage after TBI and modulates long-term evolution of degenerative and regenerative responses to injury. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of microglia activation to trauma severity, brain energy metabolism, and cellular reactions to injury in a mouse closed head injury model using combined in vivo PET imaging, ex vivo autoradiography, and immunohistochemistry.
Methods
A weight-drop closed head injury model was used to produce a mixed diffuse and focal TBI or a purely diffuse mild TBI (mTBI) in C57BL6 mice. Lesion severity was determined by evaluating histological damage and functional outcome using a standardized neuroscore (NSS), gliosis, and axonal injury by immunohistochemistry. Repeated intra-individual in vivo μPET imaging with the specific 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) radioligand [\(^{18}\)F]DPA-714 was performed on day 1, 7, and 16 and [\(^{18}\)F]FDG-μPET imaging for energy metabolism on days 2–5 after trauma using freshly synthesized radiotracers. Immediately after [\(^{18}\)F]DPA-714-μPET imaging on days 7 and 16, cellular identity of the [\(^{18}\)F]DPA-714 uptake was confirmed by exposing freshly cut cryosections to film autoradiography and successive immunostaining with antibodies against the microglia/macrophage marker IBA-1.
Results
Functional outcome correlated with focal brain lesions, gliosis, and axonal injury. [\(^{18}\)F]DPA-714-μPET showed increased radiotracer uptake in focal brain lesions on days 7 and 16 after TBI and correlated with reduced cerebral [\(^{18}\)F]FDG uptake on days 2–5, with functional outcome and number of IBA-1 positive cells on day 7. In autoradiography, [\(^{18}\)F]DPA-714 uptake co-localized with areas of IBA1-positive staining and correlated strongly with both NSS and the number of IBA1-positive cells, gliosis, and axonal injury. After mTBI, numbers of IBA-1 positive cells with microglial morphology increased in both brain hemispheres; however, uptake of [\(^{18}\)F]DPA-714 was not increased in autoradiography or in μPET imaging.
Conclusions
[\(^{18}\)F]DPA-714 uptake in μPET/autoradiography correlates with trauma severity, brain metabolic deficits, and microglia activation after closed head TBI.
Kisspeptins (KPs, KISS1) and their receptor (KISS1R) play a pivotal role as metastasis suppressor for many cancers. Low or lost KP expression is associated with higher tumor grade, increased metastatic potential, and poor prognosis. Therefore, KP expression has prognostic relevance and correlates with invasiveness in cancers. Furthermore, KISS1R represents a very promising target for molecular imaging and therapy for KISS1R-expressing tumors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the developed KISS1-54 derivative, [\(^{68}\)Ga]KISS1-54, as a PET-imaging probe for KISS1R-expressing tumors. The NODAGA-KISS1-54 peptide was labeled by Gallium-68, and the stability of the resulting [\(^{68}\)Ga]KISS1-54 evaluated in injection solution and human serum, followed by an examination in different KISS1R-expressing tumor cell lines, including HepG2, HeLa, MDA-MB-231, MCF7, LNCap, SK-BR-3, and HCT116. Finally, [\(^{68}\)Ga]KISS1-54 was tested in LNCap- and MDA-MB-231-bearing mice, using µ-PET, assessing its potential as an imaging probe for PET. [\(^{68}\)Ga]KISS1-54 was obtained in a 77 ± 7% radiochemical yield and at a >99% purity. The [\(^{68}\)Ga]KISS1-54 cell uptake amounted to 0.6–4.4% per 100,000 cells. Moreover, the accumulation of [\(^{68}\)Ga]KISS1-54 was effectively inhibited by nonradioactive KISS1-54. In [\(^{68}\)Ga]KISS1-54-PET, KISS1R-positive LNCap-tumors were clearly visualized as compared to MDA-MB-231-tumor implant with predominantly intracellular KISS1R expression. Our first results suggest that [\(^{68}\)Ga]KISS1-54 is a promising candidate for a radiotracer for targeting KISS1R-expressing tumors via PET.
We aimed to investigate the image quality of the U-SPECT5/CT E-Class a micro single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system with two large stationary detectors for visualization of rat hearts and bones using clinically available \(^{99m}\)Tc-labelled tracers. Sensitivity, spatial resolution, uniformity and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the small-animal SPECT scanner were investigated in phantom studies using an ultra-high-resolution rat and mouse multi-pinhole collimator (UHR-RM). Point source, hot-rod, and uniform phantoms with \(^{99m}\)Tc-solution were scanned for high-count performance assessment and count levels equal to animal scans, respectively. Reconstruction was performed using the similarity-regulated ordered-subsets expectation maximization (SROSEM) algorithm with Gaussian smoothing. Rats were injected with similar to 100 MBq [\(^{99m}\)TcTc-MIBI or similar to 150 MBq [\(^{99m}\)Tc]Tc-HMDP and received multi-frame micro-SPECT imaging after tracer distribution. Animal scans were reconstructed for three different acquisition times and post-processed with different sized Gaussian filters. Following reconstruction, CNR was calculated and image quality evaluated by three independent readers on a five-point scale from 1="very poor" to 5="very good". Point source sensitivity was 567 cps/MBq and radioactive rods as small as 1.2 mm were resolved with the UHR-RM collimator. Collimator-dependent uniformity was 55.5%. Phantom CNR improved with increasing rod size, filter size and activity concentration. Left ventricle and bone structures were successfully visualized in rat experiments. Image quality was strongly affected by the extent of post-filtering, whereas scan time did not have substantial influence on visual assessment. Good image quality was achieved for resolution range greater than 1.8 mm in bone and 2.8 mm in heart. The recently introduced small animal SPECT system with two stationary detectors and UHR-RM collimator is capable to provide excellent image quality in heart and bone scans in a rat using standardized reconstruction parameters and appropriate post-filtering. However, there are still challenges in achieving maximum system resolution in the sub-millimeter range with in vivo settings under limited injection dose and acquisition time.
Highlights
• Loss of DNAJC19's DnaJ domain disrupts cardiac mitochondrial structure, leading to abnormal cristae formation in iPSC-CMs.
• Impaired mitochondrial structures lead to an increased mitochondrial respiration, ROS and an elevated membrane potential.
• Mutant iPSC-CMs show sarcomere dysfunction and a trend to more arrhythmias, resembling DCMA-associated cardiomyopathy.
Background
Dilated cardiomyopathy with ataxia (DCMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder arising from truncating mutations in DNAJC19, which encodes an inner mitochondrial membrane protein. Clinical features include an early onset, often life-threatening, cardiomyopathy associated with other metabolic features. Here, we aim to understand the metabolic and pathophysiological mechanisms of mutant DNAJC19 for the development of cardiomyopathy.
Methods
We generated induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) of two affected siblings with DCMA and a gene-edited truncation variant (tv) of DNAJC19 which all lack the conserved DnaJ interaction domain. The mutant iPSC-CMs and their respective control cells were subjected to various analyses, including assessments of morphology, metabolic function, and physiological consequences such as Ca\(^{2+}\) kinetics, contractility, and arrhythmic potential. Validation of respiration analysis was done in a gene-edited HeLa cell line (DNAJC19tv\(_{HeLa}\)).
Results
Structural analyses revealed mitochondrial fragmentation and abnormal cristae formation associated with an overall reduced mitochondrial protein expression in mutant iPSC-CMs. Morphological alterations were associated with higher oxygen consumption rates (OCRs) in all three mutant iPSC-CMs, indicating higher electron transport chain activity to meet cellular ATP demands. Additionally, increased extracellular acidification rates suggested an increase in overall metabolic flux, while radioactive tracer uptake studies revealed decreased fatty acid uptake and utilization of glucose. Mutant iPSC-CMs also showed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an elevated mitochondrial membrane potential. Increased mitochondrial respiration with pyruvate and malate as substrates was observed in mutant DNAJC19tv HeLa cells in addition to an upregulation of respiratory chain complexes, while cellular ATP-levels remain the same. Moreover, mitochondrial alterations were associated with increased beating frequencies, elevated diastolic Ca\(^{2+}\) concentrations, reduced sarcomere shortening and an increased beat-to-beat rate variability in mutant cell lines in response to β-adrenergic stimulation.
Conclusions
Loss of the DnaJ domain disturbs cardiac mitochondrial structure with abnormal cristae formation and leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting that DNAJC19 plays an essential role in mitochondrial morphogenesis and biogenesis. Moreover, increased mitochondrial respiration, altered substrate utilization, increased ROS production and abnormal Ca\(^{2+}\) kinetics provide insights into the pathogenesis of DCMA-related cardiomyopathy.
Molecular imaging of rats is of great importance for basic and translational research. As a powerful tool in nuclear medicine, SPECT can be used to visualize specific functional processes in the body, such as myocardial perfusion or bone metabolism. Typical applications in laboratory animals are imaging diagnostics or the development of new tracers for clinical use. Innovations have enabled resolutions of up to a quarter of a millimeter with acceptable sensitivity. These advances have recently led to significantly more interest in SPECT both clinically and preclinically.
The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the performance of the new U-SPECT5/CT E-Class by MILabs with a dedicated ultra-high resolution multi-pinhole collimator for rats and its potential for in vivo imaging of rats. The unique features of the U-SPECT are the large stationary detectors and the new iterative reconstruction algorithm. In addition, compared to the conventional system, the "E-Class" uses only two detectors instead of three.
First, the sensitivity, maximum resolution, and uniformity were determined as performance parameters. Thereafter, CNRs for different activity levels comparable to those of typical in vivo activities were examined. Finally, two example protocols were carried out for imaging with 99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-HMDP in healthy rats to evaluate the in vivo capabilities. For this purpose, CNR calculations and an image quality assessment were performed. The focus was on image quality as a function of scan time and post-reconstruction filter across a wide range of realistically achievable in vivo conditions.
Performance was reasonable compared to other systems in the literature, with a sensitivity of 567 cps/MBq, a maximum resolution of 1.20 mm, and a uniformity of 55.5%. At the lower activities, resolution in phantom studies decreased to ≥1.80 mm while maintaining good image quality. High-quality bone and myocardial perfusion SPECTs were obtained in rats with a resolution of ≥1.80 mm and ≥2.20 mm, respectively. Although limited sensitivity remains a weakness of SPECT, the U-SPECT5/CT E-Class with the UHR-RM collimator can achieve in vivo results of the highest standard despite the missing third detector. Currently, it is one of the best options for high-resolution radionuclide imaging in rats.
Deutschland gilt bisher immer noch als Iodmangelgebiet, obwohl in der letzten Zeit einige Studien eine deutliche Verbesserung der Iodversorgung in der deutschen Bevölkerung zeigten. Allerdings wurde der Großteil dieser Untersuchungen nicht gemäß den epidemiologischen Kriterien der WHO, UNICEF und ICCIDD durchgeführt, was zu einem Selektionsbias im Hinblick auf die Einschätzung der Strumaprävalenz führte. Die ideale Zielgruppe für die Beurteilung der aktuellen Iodversorgung einer Population sind Kinder im Schulalter zwischen 7 und 17 Jahren, weil die kindliche Schilddrüse sehr viel empfindlicher auf Veränderungen in der Iodzufuhr reagiert, und Schulkinder leicht in großer Zahl repräsentativ untersucht werden können. Gleichzeitig werden dabei auch verschiedene soziale Bevölkerungsschichten abgedeckt. An der Würzburger Studie nahmen 591 Kinder teil. Dabei handelte es sich um 268 Mädchen und 323 Jungen im Alter von 7 bis 17 Jahren. Es wurden folgende Daten erhoben: Schilddrüsenvolumen mit Hilfe der Sonographie, Iodkonzentration im morgendlichem Mittelstrahlurin, Körpergewicht, Größe, Geschlecht und Alter. Der Median der Iodkonzentration im Urin lag bei 183 µg/L. Der Anteil an Urinproben mit Iodkonzentrationen unter 100µg/L bzw. unter 50µg/L betrug 15,4% (Ziel nach WHO: <50%) bzw. 4,3% (Ziel nach WHO: <20%). 17,3 % der Proben enthielten hohe Konzentrationen über 300µg/L. Damit sind alle Kriterien der WHO hinsichtlich einer ausreichenden Iodzufuhr erfüllt. Der Grund für diese deutliche Verbesserung ist zum einen darin zu sehen, daß fast alle Familien ( 97%) im Haushalt Iodsalz verwenden und 19,6% aller Kinder regelmäßig Iodtabletten einnehmen. Zum anderen basiert die mittlerweile normale Iodversorgung wohl hauptsächlich auf dem fast ausschließlichen Einsatz von Iodsalz in der Lebensmittelindustrie (Bäcker und Metzger). In Bezug auf die Referenzwerte der Schilddrüsenvolumina der WHO/ICCIDD ergab sich für die Würzburger Schulkinder eine Strumaprävalenz von 0,2%, sowohl in Relation zu Alter und Geschlecht, als auch zu Körperoberfläche und Geschlecht. Im Vergleich mit den 97. Perzentilen der ursprünglichen Normdaten von Gutekunst und Martin-Teichert errechnete sich wie statistisch zu erwarten war eine Kropfhäufigkeit von 3%. Damit sind die Schilddrüsenvolumina der Würzburger Schulkinder vergleichbar mit den aktuellen Werten von Kindern mit ausreichender Iodversorgung sowohl aus der Schweiz, als auch aus dem Raum Berlin und Leipzig. Deutschland ist deshalb wahrscheinlich nicht länger als ein Land mit einer Iodmangelsituation anzusehen, wenngleich diese Daten durch weitere flächendeckende Studien an Kindern untermauert werden müssen. Die Würzburger Untersuchung und die meisten der anderen aktuell veröffentlichten Studien an Schulkindern mit ausreichender Iodversorgung geben zudem Grund zur Annahme, daß die Referenzwerte der WHO/ICCIDD für die Schilddrüsenvolumina zu hoch angesetzt sind, was mittlerweile von Seiten der WHO korrigiert wird.
Der neuartige (18)F-markierte Tracer, LMI1195 (N-[3-bromo-4-(3-(18)F-fluoro-propoxy)-benzyl]-guanidine) wurde für die Bildgebung des sympathischen Nervensystems entwickelt; die hohe Spezifität dieses Tracers für den neuralen Uptake-1 Mechanismus wurde bereits gezeigt in Zell-Versuchen, sowie in Studien mit Kaninchen- und nicht menschlichen Primaten zur Bestimmung des kardialen Tracer-Uptakes. Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Mechanismen des kardialen (18)F-LMI1195-Uptakes in der Ratte zu untersuchen, von der bekannt ist, dass es neben dem Uptake-1 Mechanismus weitere Arten der Noradrenalin-Aufnahme im Herzen gibt.
iROLL - 3D-bildnavigierte, radioaktivitätsgestützte Resektion des nicht-palpablen Mammakarzinoms
(2019)
In dieser prospektiven Studie wurde die Durchführbarkeit der 3D-bildnavigierten, radioaktivitätsgestützten Resektion des nicht-palpablen Mammakarzinoms (iROLL) unter Verwendung der freehand SPECT (fhSPECT)-Technologie untersucht. Das Verfahren wurde mit der als Goldstandard etablierten, drahtgestützten Lokalisation (WGL) verglichen. Sekundäre Endpunkte der Studie waren die erfolgreiche Sentinellymphknotenbiopsie (SLNB) mittels fhSPECT, der Patientenkomfort beider Verfahren, die mögliche Vorhersage tumorpositiver Resektatränder mittels fhSPECT, inklusive notwendiger Nachresektionen und der Einfluss von iROLL auf die OP-Dauer.
Die fhSPECT-gestützte iROLL ist ein schmerzarmes, patientenfreundliches, zeiteffizientes und v.a. gut durchführbares brusterhaltendes Therapieverfahren (BET) ist. Gegenüber der WGL wird eine einzeitige Markierung zur Primarius- und SLN-Markierung möglich, ohne dabei auf eine visuell fassbare, intraoperative Navigationshilfe verzichten zu müssen.
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.
Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen zählen zu den häufigsten Todesursachen weltweit. Ein ihr zugrundeliegender pathologischer Prozess ist die Atherosklerose. Die Ruptur eines atheroskelrotischen Plaques kann lebensbedrohlich sein. Derzeit existieren weder ein evaluierter Biomarker noch eine Bildgebungstechnik, die das Risiko einer solchen Plaqueruptur und eines nachfolgenden akuten kardiovaskulären Ereignisses vorhersagen können. Um die bildgebenden Verfahren zur Detektion der Atherosklerose zu optimieren, wurde in dieser Dissertationsarbeit untersucht, ob der PET/CT-Tracer 68Ga-Pentixafor im Vergleich zu 18F-FDG bessere Ergebnisse in der Diagnostik der Atherosklerose erzielen kann.
Insgesamt wurden 144 onkologische Patienten in die Studie einbezogen, bei denen die 18F-FDG-PET/CT sowie 68Ga-Pentifaxor-PET/CT aus klinischen Gründen indiziert waren. Befunde, bei denen eine gegenüber dem Hintergrund vermehrte Speicherung ohne physiologische Erklärung nachgewiesen werden konnte, wurden als positiv bewertet. Um Unterschiede zwischen den Patienten außer Acht lassen zu können, wurde die target-to-background-ratio (TBR) berechnet. Zur Beschreibung der Speicherintensität einer Läsion wurde der standardized uptake value (SUV) bestimmt.
Nach Auswertung der Daten zeigte sich eine mäßige Korrelation der Anzahl von 68Ga-Pentixafor-positiven Läsionen mit der Anzahl der 18F-FDG positiven Läsionen. Die CXCR4-gerichtete Bildgebung mit 68Ga-Pentixafor identifizierte mehr Läsionen als die 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Bezüglich ihres Verteilungsmusters wiesen die beiden Tracer eine geringe Korrelation auf. Die Aufnahmeintensität beider Tracer korrelierte umgekehrt mit dem Ausmaß der Verkalkung. Stark verkalkte Plaques zeigten die niedrigste Traceraufnahme für beide PET-Tracer.
Weitere Studien zur Aufklärung der zugrunde liegenden biologischen Mechanismen und Quellen der CXCR4-Positivität sind in hohem Maße gerechtfertigt.
Purpose: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) is emerging as an important modality for imaging patients with prostate cancer (PCa). As with any imaging modality, indeterminate findings will arise. The PSMA reporting and data system (PSMA-RADS) version 1.0 codifies indeterminate soft tissue findings with the PSMA-RADS-3A moniker. We investigated the role of point-spread function (PSF) reconstructions on categorization of PSMA-RADS-3A lesions. Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of an institutional review board approved prospective trial. Around 60 min after the administration of 333 MBq (9 mCi) of PSMA-targeted \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL, patients underwent PET/computed tomography (CT) acquisitions from the mid-thighs to the skull vertex. The PET data were reconstructed with and without PSF. Scans were categorized according to PSMA-RADS version 1.0, and all PSMA-RADS-3A lesions on non-PSF images were re-evaluated to determine if any could be re-categorized as PSMA-RADS-4. The maximum standardized uptake values (SUVs) of the lesions, mean SUVs of blood pool, and the ratios of those values were determined. Results: A total of 171 PSMA-RADS-3A lesions were identified in 30 patients for whom both PSF reconstructions and cross-sectional imaging follow-up were available. A total of 13/171 (7.6%) were re-categorized as PSMA-RADS-4 lesions with PSF reconstructions. A total of 112/171 (65.5%) were found on follow-up to be true positive for PCa, with all 13 of the re-categorized lesions being true positive on follow-up. The lesions that were re-categorized trended towards having higher SUV\(_{max}\)-lesion and SUV\(_{max}\)-lesion/SUV\(_{mean}\)-blood-pool metrics, although these relationships were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The use of PSF reconstructions for \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL PET can allow the appropriate re-categorization of a small number of indeterminate PSMA-RADS-3A soft tissue lesions as more definitive PSMA-RADS-4 lesions. The routine use of PSF reconstructions for PSMA-targeted PET may be of value at those sites that utilize this technology.
Ziel vorliegender Studie war die Einflussfaktoren der Radioiodtherapie bei der Autoimmunthyreopathie vom Typ M. Basedow insbesondere im Hinblick auf die prätherapeutische thyreostatische Therapie aufgrund der unklaren Datenlage zu erfassen. Der Einfluss von Geschlecht, Alter, Schilddrüsenvolumen, applizierter Aktivität, erzielter Dosis, Uptake und verschiedener Laborparameter, wie TSH, fT3, fT4 wurde untersucht. Aus einem Kollektiv von 465 Patienten konnten 283 als Ersttherapierte identifiziert werden und weitern uni-und multivariater Analyse unterzogen werden. Als Therapieerfolg definiertn wir Patienten, deren TSH- Spiegel ohne Medikation im Normbereich lag, als auch jene, die unabhängig vom TSH-Spiegel nach Radioiodidtherapie eine hypothyreote Stoffwechsellage aufwiesen und substituiert werden mussten. Die Erfolgsquote betrug 86,6%. Unsere Ergebnisse der univariaten Analyse erlauben den Schluss, dass sowohl die erzielte Dosis, das Schilddrüsenvolumen, die applizierte Aktivität, sowie der Uptake relevante Einflussfaktoren einer Radioiodtherapie sind. Die simultane thyreostatische Therapie zeigte weder in uni- noch multivariater Analyse signifikante Unterschiede bezüglich einer erfolgreichen Radioiodtherapie. Eine um 5% niedrigere Erfolgsrate unter simultaner Thyreostase, sowie die Ergebnisse multivariater Betrachtungen deuten jedoch auf einen tendentiellen Einfluss hin. Als Konsequenz für die routinemässige Durchführung einer Radioiodtherapie erscheint es sinnvoll, in Einzelfällen die thyreostatische Medikation frühzeitig vor einer Radioiodtherapie abzusetzen. Eine Beurteilung hinsichtlich des Langzeiterfolges sollte frühestens nach 1 Jahr erfolgen.
Background The precise definition of the post-operative resection status in high-grade gliomas (HGG) is crucial for further management. We aimed to assess the feasibility of assessment of the resection status with early post-operative positron emission tomography (PET) using [\(^{18}\)F]O-(2-[\(^{18}\)F]-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine ([\(^{18}\)F]FET). Methods 25 patients with the suspicion of primary HGG were enrolled. All patients underwent preoperative [\(^{18}\)F]FET-PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intra-operatively, resection status was assessed using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). Imaging was repeated within 72h after neurosurgery. Post-operative [\(^{18}\)F]FET-PET was compared with MRI, intra-operative assessment and clinical follow-up. Results [\(^{18}\)F]FET-PET, MRI and intra-operative assessment consistently revealed complete resection in 12/25 (48%) patients and incomplete resection in 6/25 cases (24%). In 7 patients, PET revealed discordant findings. One patient was re-resected. 3/7 experienced tumor recurrence, 3/7 died shortly after brain surgery. Conclusion Early assessment of the resection status in HGG with [\(^{18}\)F]FET-PET seems to be feasible.
The EC Directive 2013/59/Euratom states in article 56 that exposures of target volumes in nuclear medicine treatments shall be individually planned and their delivery appropriately verified. The Directive also mentions that medical physics experts should always be appropriately involved in those treatments. Although it is obvious that, in nuclear medicine practice, every nuclear medicine physician and physicist should follow national rules and legislation, the EANM considered it necessary to provide guidance on how to interpret the Directive statements for nuclear medicine treatments.
For this purpose, the EANM proposes to distinguish three levels in compliance to the optimization principle in the directive, inspired by the indication of levels in prescribing, recording and reporting of absorbed doses after radiotherapy defined by the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU):
Most nuclear medicine treatments currently applied in Europe are standardized. The minimum requirement for those treatments is ICRU level 1 (“activity-based prescription and patient-averaged dosimetry”), which is defined by administering the activity within 10% of the intended activity, typically according to the package insert or to the respective EANM guidelines, followed by verification of the therapy delivery, if applicable.
Non-standardized treatments are essentially those in developmental phase or approved radiopharmaceuticals being used off-label with significantly (> 25% more than in the label) higher activities. These treatments should comply with ICRU level 2 (“activity-based prescription and patient-specific dosimetry”), which implies recording and reporting of the absorbed dose to organs at risk and optionally the absorbed dose to treatment regions.
The EANM strongly encourages to foster research that eventually leads to treatment planning according to ICRU level 3 (“dosimetry-guided patient-specific prescription and verification”), whenever possible and relevant.
Evidence for superiority of therapy prescription on basis of patient-specific dosimetry has not been obtained. However, the authors believe that a better understanding of therapy dosimetry, i.e. how much and where the energy is delivered, and radiobiology, i.e. radiation-related processes in tissues, are keys to the long-term improvement of our treatments.
(1) Background: We aimed to quantitatively investigate [\(^{68}\)Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 uptake in normal organs and to assess a relationship with the extent of FAPI-avid tumor burden. (2) Methods: In this single-center retrospective analysis, thirty-four patients with solid cancers underwent a total of 40 [\(^{68}\)Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT scans. Mean standardized uptake values (SUV\(_{mean}\)) for normal organs were established by placing volumes of interest (VOIs) in the heart, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and bone marrow. Total tumor burden was determined by manual segmentation of tumor lesions with increased uptake. For tumor burden, quantitative assessment included maximum SUV (SUV\(_{max}\)), tumor volume (TV), and fractional tumor activity (FTA = TV × SUV\(_{mean}\)). Associations between uptake in normal organs and tumor burden were investigated by applying Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. (3) Results: Median SUV\(_{mean}\) values were 2.15 in the pancreas (range, 1.05–9.91), 1.42 in the right (range, 0.57–3.06) and 1.41 in the left kidney (range, 0.73–2.97), 1.2 in the heart (range, 0.46–2.59), 0.86 in the spleen (range, 0.55–1.58), 0.65 in the liver (range, 0.31–2.11), and 0.57 in the bone marrow (range, 0.26–0.94). We observed a trend towards significance for uptake in the myocardium and tumor-derived SUV\(_{max}\) (ρ = 0.29, p = 0.07) and TV (ρ = −0.30, p = 0.06). No significant correlation was achieved for any of the other organs: SUV\(_{max}\) (ρ ≤ 0.1, p ≥ 0.42), TV (ρ ≤ 0.11, p ≥ 0.43), and FTA (ρ ≤ 0.14, p ≥ 0.38). In a sub-analysis exclusively investigating patients with high tumor burden, significant correlations of myocardial uptake with tumor SUV\(_{max}\) (ρ = 0.44; p = 0.03) and tumor-derived FTA with liver uptake (ρ = 0.47; p = 0.02) were recorded. (4) Conclusions: In this proof-of-concept study, quantification of [\(^{68}\)Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET showed no significant correlation between normal organs and tumor burden, except for a trend in the myocardium. Those preliminary findings may trigger future studies to determine possible implications for treatment with radioactive FAP-targeted drugs, as higher tumor load or uptake may not lead to decreased doses in the majority of normal organs.
Im Rahmen der dieser Arbeit zugrunde liegenden prospektiven, randomisierten Studie wurden im Zeitraum Juli 2001 bis August 2002 insgesamt 120 Patienten der Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin der Universität Würzburg mit den Diagnosen Unifokale Autonomie (UFA) und Morbus Basedow (MB) mit einer RIT behandelt. Die therapeutische Applikation des 131- I erfolgte in jeder der Diagnosegruppen entweder oral in Kapsel-, oder intravenös in flüssiger Form. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, den Einflussgrad der Applikationsmodalität des Radionuklids, d.h. orale (Kapsel) versus intravenöse (flüssige) Verabreichung des 131- I, hinsichtlich des Therapieergebnisses zu untersuchen. Ein halbes Jahr nach der RIT zeigten in der Erkrankungsgruppe UFA 94 % der Patienten bei der oralen Applikationsform und 81 % der Patienten bei der intravenösen Applikationsform einen Behandlungserfolg. In der Diagnosegruppe MB waren im gleichen Zeitraum 67 % der Studienteilnehmer bei der oralen Applikationsform und 65 % der Studienteilnehmer bei der intravenösen Applikationsform erfolgreich therapiert. Zwischen beiden Applikationsformen wurden bei UFA und MB keine signifikanten Unterschiede hinsichtlich des Therapieergebnisses gefunden. Das Ergebnis bietet somit keinen Anhalt dafür, dass bei der oralen Applikationsform enterale Absorptionsverluste von Radioiod auftreten. Ohne eine Verschlechterung des Behandlungserfolges zu befürchten, kann die Verabreichungsmodalität des Radionuklids daher individuell getroffen werden. Aus Handhabungsgründen und wegen des Strahlenschutzes des Personals wird man aber in der Regel die Kapsel bevorzugen.
Grundproblematik und Fragestellung: In der Behandlung der endemischen Struma läßt sich durch Levothyroxin und/oder Iodid eine Reduktion des Schilddrüsenvolumens erreichen. Eine unter Levothyroxintherapie auftretende TSH-Suppression kann sich jedoch über die Persistenz des intrathyreoidalen Iodmangels negativ auf die Rezidivhäufigkeit auswirken. In dieser Studie soll die Wirksamkeit zweier verschieden dosierter Kombinationspräparate aus Levothyroxin und Iodid verglichen werden, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Auswirkung des Levothyroxinanteils auf die intrathyreoidale Iodkonzentration. Patienten und Methodik: 44 Patientinnen mit euthyreoter diffuser Struma wurden in die Studie aufgenommen und randomisiert zwei Therapiegruppen zugeordnet. Gruppe A wurde mit 75 µg Levothyroxin und 150 µg Iodid (Verhältnis 1:2) behandelt. Gruppe B erhielt eine Kombination aus 100 µg Levothyroxin und 100 µg Iodid (Verhältnis 1:1) Die Therapie erstreckte sich über drei Monate mit anschließendem Beobachtungsintervall von drei Monaten ohne Medikation. Zu Studienbeginn, nach drei und sechs Monaten erfolgte eine Messung der intrathyreoidalen Iodkonzentration mittels Röntgenfluoreszenzanalyse, des sonografischen Schilddrüsenvolumens, der Iodausscheidung im Spontanurin und des basalen TSH, sowie der Schilddrüsenhormone und des Thyreoglobulins. Die Verträglichkeit der Präparate wurde ebenfalls erfaßt. Ergebnisse: Im Verlauf der Studie, sowohl unter Therapie, als auch während der Nachbeobachtungsphase kam es in beiden Gruppen (auswertbar in Gruppe B n = 20, in Gruppe A n = 21) nur zu geringen, nicht signifikanten Veränderungen des intrathyreoidalen Iodgehalts. Durch die Behandlung reduzierte sich das Schilddrüsenvolumen in Gruppe B um im Mittel 17,3% gegenüber dem Ausgangswert (p<0,001); in Gruppe A um 14,8% (p<0,001). Der erreichte Effekt blieb in Gruppe B über die Nachbeobachtungsperiode erhalten, in Gruppe A sank das mittlere Volumen um weitere vier Prozent (n.s.). Ein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen den Gruppen ließ sich für die intrathyreoidale Iodkonzentration, wie auch für das Schilddrüsenvolumen nicht nachweisen. In Gruppe B war eine statistisch signifikant stärkere TSH-Suppression (p=0,04) und ein höherer TSH-Anstieg (p=0,025) nach Therapie im Vergleich zu Gruppe A zu beobachten. Folgerung: Beide Kombinationspräparate bewirkten eine vergleichbare dauerhafte Volumenreduktion der Schilddrüse ohne relevante Veränderung der intrathyreoidalen Iodkonzentration. Aufgrund des geringeren posttherapeutischen TSH-Anstiegs scheint die 1:2 Kombination gegenüber der 1:1 Kombination geringe Vorteile zu bieten.
The prognosis of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer can be improved if secondary complete (R0) resection is possible. In patients initially staged as unresectable this may be achieved with neoadjuvant treatment which is usually chemoradiotherapy based. We report the case of a 46-year-old patient with an unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer (pT4 Nx cM0 G2) who was treated with a sequential neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen consisting of 2 cycles of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine followed by 4 cycles of FOLFIRINOX. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy resulted in secondary resectability (R0 resection). After 2 cycles of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine, the patient already had a complete metabolic remission as measured by integrated fludeoxyglucose ((18)F) positron emission tomography and computerized tomography. After a follow-up of 18 months the patient is alive without progression of disease. We propose to assess the clinical benefit of sequencing the combinations nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and FOLFIRINOX as neoadjuvant therapy for patients with locally advanced and initially unresectable pancreatic cancer in a controlled clinical trial.
Ziel der Arbeit:
Der Einfluss langfristiger thyreosuppressiver Levothyroxintherapie auf den Schilddrüsenhormonmetabolismus bei Patienten mit differenziertem Schilddrüsenkarzinom ist bisher unbekannt. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es herauszufinden, ob und welche Änderungen der Schilddrüsenhormonparameter nach langfristiger LT4-Einnahme auftreten. Anhand der zweiten Studie sollte ermittelt werden, ob diese Veränderungen plötzlich und sprunghaft auftreten oder ob es sich dabei um einen kontinuierlichen Prozess handelt.
Patienten, Material, Methoden:
Das Kollektiv der ersten Studie bestand aus 61 Patienten mit differenziertem Schilddrüsenkarzinom. Für jeden dieser Patienten wurden eingefrorene Seren von zwei verschiedenen Zeitpunkten ausgewählt: Zeitpunkt 1 (entnommen in-nerhalb des ersten Jahres nach I-131-Ablation; TSH-Wert < 0,3 mlU/l; Rekrutie-rungszeitraum 1999-2002) und Zeitpunkt 2 (letzte verfügbare Probe mit TSH-Wert < 0,3 mIU/l; mindestens drei Jahre lang protokollierte, ununterbrochene LT4-Therapie; Rekrutierungszeitraum 2005-2009). Die Hormonspiegel von TSH, reversem T3, TT3 und TT4 und weiterer Parameter wurden zum Zeitpunkt 1 und Zeitpunkt 2 gemessen und die Beziehung dieser Parameter zueinander wurde analysiert.
In der zweiten Studie bildeten 24 Patienten mit differenziertem Schilddrüsen-karzinom das Patientenkollektiv. Auch hier wurden gefroren gelagerte Blutpro-ben nach bestimmten Kriterien ausgewählt und untersucht. Eingeschlossen wurden Patienten, von denen mindesten drei Seren im Anschluss an die letzte Hypothyreose vorhanden waren, die unter thyreosuppressiver Therapie ent-nommen wurden, so dass eine serielle Messung durchgeführt werden konnte. Der Zeitraum zwischen Hypothyreose und nachfolgendem Entnahmezeitpunkt des ersten folgenden Serums dufte höchsten neun Monate betragen. Die mediane Anzahl der vorhandenen Proben lag bei sechs, die mediane vergangene Zeit nach letzter Hypothyreose betrug 1,17 Jahre. Es wurde der zeitliche Verlauf der bestimmten Hormonparameter analysiert.
Ergebnisse:
Die Ergebnisse der ersten Studie zeigten signifikant erniedrigte TT3-, TT4- und TSH-Spiegel zum Zeitpunkt 2 (P < 0,001), während LT4-Dosis, Körpergewicht und rT3-Spiegel zwischen Zeitpunkt 1 und Zeitpunkt 2 konstant blieben. Es zeigten sich keine signifikanten Veränderungen in dem Verhältnis der LT4-Dosis pro kg Körpergewicht zu den fT4-Spiegeln (P = 0,83). Das Verhältnis von TT4 zu TT3 war zum Zeitpunkt 2 erhöht (P < 0,001), während das Verhältnis von TT4 zu rT3 und das Verhältnis von TT3 zu rT3 zum Zeitpunkt 2 signifikant erniedrigt waren.
Im kurzen Beobachtungszeitraum der zweiten Studie zeigten sich innerhalb der ersten 1,35 Jahre, in denen der durchschnittliche Entnahmezeitpunkt der Proben lag, keine wesentlichen Veränderungen bezüglich der LT4-Dosis pro kg Körpergewicht, der fT4-Spiegel, der rT3 Spiegel, des Verhältnisses von TT4 zu rT3 oder des Verhältnisses von TT4 zu TT3.
Fazit:
Es lässt sich schlussfolgern, dass nach langfristiger TSH-suppressiver Levothyroxintherapie bei Patienten mit differenziertem Schilddrüsenkarzinom signifikante Veränderungen im Schilddrüsenhormonmetabolismus auftreten, die am besten durch eine kombinierte Herunterregulierung der Typ-I-und der Typ-II-Deiodinase und einer Hochregulierung der Typ-III-Deiodinase zu erklären sind. Diese Veränderungen treten nicht plötzlich und sprunghaft auf sondern ereignen sich eher in einem kontinuierlichen Prozess über viele Jahre hinweg.
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is an attractive therapeutic target to combat diabetes and obesity due to its ability to increase glucose expenditure. In a genetic rat model (ZDF fa/fa) of type-2 diabetes and obesity, we aimed to investigate glucose utilization of BAT by \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET imaging. Male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and Male Zucker lean (ZL) control rats were studied at 13 weeks. Three weeks prior to imaging, ZDF rats were randomized into a no-restriction (ZDF-ND) and a mild calorie restriction (ZDF-CR) group. Dynamic \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET using a dedicated small animal PET system was performed under hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET identified intense inter-scapular BAT glucose uptake in all ZL control rats, while no focally increased \(^{18}\)F-FDG uptake was detected in all ZDF-ND rats. Mild but significant improved BAT tracer uptake was identified after calorie restriction in diabetic rats (ZDF-CR). The weight of BAT tissue and fat deposits were significantly increased in ZDF-CR and ZDF-ND rats as compared to ZL controls, while UCP-1 and mitochondrial concentrations were significantly decreased. Whitening and severely impaired insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in BAT was confirmed in a rat model of type-2 diabetes. Additionally, calorie restriction partially restored the impaired BAT glucose uptake.
\(^{11}\)C-methionine-PET in multiple myeloma: a combined study from two different institutions
(2017)
\(^{11}\)C-methionine (MET) has recently emerged as an accurate marker of tumor burden and disease activity in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). This dual-center study aimed at further corroboration of the superiority of MET as positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for staging and re-staging MM, as compared to \(^{18}\)F-2`-deoxy-2`-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG).
78 patients with a history of solitary plasmacytoma (n=4), smoldering MM (SMM, n=5), and symptomatic MM (n=69) underwent both MET- and FDG-PET/computed tomography (CT) at the University Centers of Würzburg, Germany and Navarra, Spain. Scans were compared on a patient and on a lesion basis. Inter-reader agreement was also evaluated. In 2 patients, tumor biopsies for verification of discordant imaging results were available.
MET-PET detected focal lesions (FL) in 59/78 subjects (75.6%), whereas FDG-PET/CT showed lesions in only 47 patients (60.3%; p<0.01), accordingly disease activity would have been missed in 12 patients. Directed biopsies of discordant results confirmed MET-PET/CT results in both cases.
MET depicted more FL in 44 patients (56.4%; p<0.01), whereas in two patients (2/78), FDG proved superior. In the remainder (41.0%, 32/78), both tracers yielded comparable results. Inter-reader agreement for MET was higher than for FDG (κ = 0.82 vs κ = 0.72).
This study demonstrates higher sensitivity of MET in comparison to standard FDG to detect intra- and extramedullary MM including histologic evidence of FDG-negative, viable disease exclusively detectable by MET-PET/CT. MET holds the potential to replace FDG as functional imaging standard for staging and re-staging of MM.
C-X-C-motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a key factor for tumor growth and metastasis in several types of human cancer. We have recently reported promising first-in-man experience with CXCR4-directed endoradiotherapy (ERT) in multiple myeloma (MM).
Eight heavily pretreated MM patients underwent a total of 10 ERT cycles (7 patients with 1 cycle and a single patient with 3 cycles). ERT was administered in combination with chemotherapy and autologous stem cell support. End points were occurrence and timing of adverse events, progression-free and overall survival.
ERT was overall well tolerated without any unexpected acute adverse events or changes in vital signs. With absorbed tumor doses >30-70 Gy in intra- or extramedullary lesions, significant anti-myeloma activity was observed with 1 patient achieving complete remission and 5/8 partial remission. Directly after ERT major infectious complications were seen in one patient who died from sepsis 22 days after ERT, another patient with high tumor burden experienced lethal tumor lysis syndrome. Median progression-free survival was 54 days (range, 13-175), median overall survival was 223 days (range, 13-313). During follow-up (6 patients available), one patient died from infectious complications, 2/8 from disease progression, the remaining 3/8 patients are still alive.
CXCR4-directed ERT was well-tolerated and exerted anti-myeloma activity even at very advanced stage MM with presence of extramedullary disease. Further assessment of this novel treatment option is highly warranted.
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology that can involve virtually all organ systems. Whereas most patients present without symptoms, progressive and disabling organ failure can occur in up to 10% of subjects. Somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-directed peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has recently received market authorization for treatment of SSTR-positive neuroendocrine tumors.
Methods:
We describe the first case series comprising two patients with refractory multi-organ involvement of sarcoidosis who received 4 cycles of PRRT.
Results:
PRRT was well-tolerated without any acute adverse effects. No relevant toxicities could be recorded during follow-up. Therapy resulted in partial response accompanied by a pronounced reduction in pain (patient #1) and stable disease regarding morphology as well as disease activity (patient #2), respectively.
Conclusion:
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in sarcoidosis is feasible and might be a new valuable tool in patients with otherwise treatment-refractory disease. Given the long experience with and good tolerability of PRRT, further evaluation of this new treatment option for otherwise treatment-refractory sarcoidosis in larger patient cohorts is warranted.
C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a key factor for tumor growth and metastasis in several types of human cancer. This study investigated the feasibility of CXCR4-directed imaging with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor in malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Six patients with pleural mesothelioma underwent [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor-PET/CT. 2′-[\(^{18}\)F]fluoro-2′-deoxy-D-glucose ([\(^{18}\)F]FDG)-PET/CT (4/6 patients) and immunohistochemistry obtained from biopsy or surgery (all) served as standards of reference. Additionally, 9 surgical mesothelioma samples were available for histological work-up.
Whereas [\(^{18}\)F]FDG-PET depicted active lesions in all patients, [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor-PET/CT recorded physiologic tracer distribution and none of the 6 patients presented [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor-positive lesions. This finding paralleled results of immunohistochemistry which also could not identify relevant CXCR4 surface expression in the samples analyzed.
In contrast to past reports, our data suggest widely absence of CXCR4 expression in pleural mesothelioma. Hence, robust cell surface expression should be confirmed prior to targeting this chemokine receptor for diagnosis and/or therapy.
Background
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) have been shown to promote malignant growth and to correlate with poor prognosis. [1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-NN′,N″,N′″-tetraacetic acid]-d-Phe1,Tyr3-octreotate (DOTATATE) labeled with Gallium-68 selectively binds to somatostatin receptor 2A (SSTR2A) which is specifically expressed and up-regulated in activated macrophages. On the other hand, the role of SSTR2A expression on the cell surface of glioma cells has not been fully elucidated yet. The aim of this study was to non-invasively assess SSTR2A expression of both glioma cells as well as macrophages in GBM.
Methods
15 samples of patient-derived GBM were stained immunohistochemically for macrophage infiltration (CD68), proliferative activity (Ki67) as well as expression of SSTR2A. Anti-CD45 staining was performed to distinguish between resident microglia and tumor-infiltrating macrophages. In a subcohort, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using \(^{68}Ga-DOTATATE\) was performed and the semiquantitatively evaluated tracer uptake was compared to the results of immunohistochemistry.
Results
The amount of microglia/macrophages ranged from <10% to >50% in the tumor samples with the vast majority being resident microglial cells. A strong SSTR2A immunostaining was observed in endothelial cells of proliferating vessels, in neurons and neuropile. Only faint immunostaining was identified on isolated microglial and tumor cells. Somatostatin receptor imaging revealed areas of increased tracer accumulation in every patient. However, retention of the tracer did not correlate with immunohistochemical staining patterns.
Conclusion
SSTR2A seems not to be overexpressed in GBM samples tested, neither on the cell surface of resident microglia or infiltrating macrophages, nor on the surface of tumor cells. These data suggest that somatostatin receptor directed imaging and treatment strategies are less promising in GBM.
Chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) has been reported to be overexpressed in glioblastoma (GBM) and to be associated with poor survival. This study investigated the feasibility of non-invasive CXCR4-directed imaging with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using the radiolabelled chemokine receptor ligand \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor.
15 patients with clinical suspicion on primary or recurrent glioblastoma (13 primary, 2 recurrent tumors) underwent \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT for assessment of CXCR4 expression prior to surgery. O-(2-\(^{18}\)F-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (\(^{18}\)F-FET) PET/CT images were available in 11/15 cases and were compared visually and semi-quantitatively (SUV\(_{max}\), SUV\(_{mean}\)). Tumor-to-background ratios (TBR) were calculated for both PET probes. \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT results were also compared to histological CXCR4 expression on neuronavigated surgical samples.
\(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT was visually positive in 13/15 cases with SUV\(_{mean}\) and SUV\(_{max}\) of 3.0±1.5 and 3.9±2.0 respectively. Respective values for \(^{18}\)F-FET were 4.4±2.0 (SUV\(_{mean}\)) and 5.3±2.3 (SUV\(_{max}\)). TBR for SUV\(_{mean}\) and SUV\(_{max}\) were higher for \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor than for \(^{18}\)F-FET (SUV\(_{mean}\) 154.0±90.7 vs. 4.1±1.3; SUV\(_{max}\) 70.3±44.0 and 3.8±1.2, p<0.01), respectively. Histological analysis confirmed CXCR4 expression in tumor areas with high \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor uptake; regions of the same tumor without apparent \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor uptake showed no or low receptor expression.
In this pilot study, \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor retention has been observed in the vast majority of glioblastoma lesions and served as readout for non-invasive determination of CXCR4 expression. Given the paramount importance of the CXCR4/SDF-1 axis in tumor biology, \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT might prove a useful tool for sensitive, non-invasive in-vivo quantification of CXCR4 as well as selection of patients who might benefit from CXCR4-directed therapy.
Diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis is often challenging. Whereas cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with \(^{18}\)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) are most commonly used to evaluate patients, PET/CT using radiolabeled somatostatin receptor (SSTR) ligands for visualization of inflammation might represent a more specific alternative. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of SSTR–PET/CT for detecting cardiac sarcoidosis in comparison to CMR.
15 patients (6 males, 9 females) with sarcoidosis and suspicion on cardiac involvement underwent SSTR-PET/CT imaging and CMR. Images were visually scored. The AHA 17-segment model of the left myocardium was used for localization and comparison of inflamed myocardium for both imaging modalities. In semi-quantitative analysis, mean (SUV\(_{mean}\)) and maximum standardized uptake values (SUV\(_{max}\)) of affected myocardium were calculated and compared with both remote myocardium and left ventricular (LV) cavity.
SSTR-PET was positive in 7/15, CMR in 10/15 patients. Of the 3 CMR+/PET- subjects, one patient with minor involvement (<25% of wall thickness in CMR) was missed by PET. The remaining two CMR+/PET- patients displayed no adverse cardiac events during follow-up.
In the 17-segment model, PET/CT yielded 27 and CMR 29 positive segments. Overall concordance of the 2 modalities was 96.1% (245/255 segments analyzed). SUV\(_{mean}\) and SUV\(_{max}\) in inflamed areas were 2.0±1.2 and 2.6±1.2, respectively. The lesion-to-remote myocardium and lesion-to-LV cavity ratios were 1.8±0.2 and 1.9±0.2 for SUV\(_{mean}\) and 2.0±0.3 and 1.7±0.3 for SUV\(_{max}\), respectively.
Detection of cardiac sarcoidosis by SSTR-PET/CT is feasible. Our data warrant further analysis in larger prospective series.
Chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a key factor for tumor growth and metastasis in several types of human cancer including multiple myeloma (MM). Proof-of-concept of CXCR4-directed radionuclide therapy in MM has recently been reported. This study assessed the diagnostic performance of the CXCR4-directed radiotracer [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor in MM and a potential role for stratifying patients to CXCR4-directed therapies.
Thirty-five patients with MM underwent [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor-PET/CT for evaluation of eligibility for endoradiotherapy. In 19/35 cases, [\(^{18}\)F]FDG-PET/CT for correlation was available. Scans were compared on a patient and on a lesion basis. Tracer uptake was correlated with standard clinical parameters of disease activity.
[\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor-PET detected CXCR4-positive disease in 23/35 subjects (66%). CXCR4-positivity at PET was independent from myeloma subtypes, cytogenetics or any serological parameters and turned out as a negative prognostic factor. In the 19 patients in whom a comparison to [\(^{18}\)F]FDG was available, [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor-PET detected more lesions in 4/19 (21%) subjects, [\(^{18}\)F]FDG proved superior in 7/19 (37%). In the remaining 8/19 (42%) patients, both tracers detected an equal number of lesions. [\(^{18}\)F]FDG-PET positivity correlated with [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor-PET positivity (p=0.018).
[\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor-PET provides further evidence that CXCR4 expression frequently occurs in advanced multiple myeloma, representing a negative prognostic factor and a potential target for myeloma specific treatment. However, selecting patients for CXCR4 directed therapies and prognostic stratification seem to be more relevant clinical applications for this novel imaging modality, rather than diagnostic imaging of myeloma.
Background
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is applied in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors. Co-infused amino acids (AA) should prevent nephrotoxicity. The aims of this study were to correlate the incidence of AA-induced hyperkalemia (HK) (≥5.0 mmol/l) and to identify predictors of AA-induced severe HK (>6.0).
Methods
In 38 patients, standard activity of \(^{177}Lu\)-labelled somatostatin analogs was administered. Pre-therapeutic kidney function was assessed by renal scintigraphy and laboratory tests. For kidney protection, AA was co-infused. Biochemical parameters (potassium, glomerular filtration rate, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), sodium, phosphate, chloride, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) were obtained prior to 4 and 24 h after the AA infusion. Incidence of HK (≥5.0) was correlated with pre-therapeutic kidney function and serum parameters. Formulas for the prediction of severe hyperkalemia (>6.0) were computed and prospectively validated.
Results
At 4 h, HK (≥5.0) was present in 94.7% with severe HK (>6.0) in 36.1%. Values normalized after 24 h in 84.2%. Pre-therapeutic kidney function did not correlate with the incidence of severe HK.
Increases in K+ were significantly correlated with decreases in phosphate (r = −0.444, p < 0.005) and increases in BUN (r = 0.313, p = 0.056). A baseline BUN of >28 mg/dl had a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 60.0% (AUC = 0.75) in predicting severe HK of >6.0 (phosphate, AUC = 0.37).
Computing of five standard serum parameters (potassium, BUN, sodium, phosphate, LDH) resulted in a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 79.3% for the prediction of severe HK >6.0 (accuracy = 81.6%).
Conclusions
A combination of serum parameters predicted prospectively the occurrence of relevant HK with an accuracy of 81.6% underlining its potential utility for identifying ‘high-risk’ patients prone to PRRT.
[\(^{223}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\) and [\(^{224}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\) are bone seekers, emitting high LET, and short range (< 100 μm) alpha-particles. Both radionuclides show similar decay properties; the total alpha energies are comparable (\(^{223}\)Ra: ≈28 MeV, \(^{224}\)Ra: ≈26 MeV). [\(^{224}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\) has been used from the mid-1940s until 1990 for treating different bone and joint diseases with activities of up to approximately 50 MBq [\(^{224}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\). In 2013 [\(^{223}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\) obtained marketing authorization by the FDA and by the European Union for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer with an activity to administer of 0.055 MBq per kg body weight for six cycles. For intravenous injections in humans a model calculation using the biokinetic model of ICRP67 shows a ratio of organ absorbed dose coefficients (\(^{224}\)Ra:\(^{223}\)Ra) between 0.37 (liver) and 0.97 except for the kidneys (2.27) and blood (1.57). For the red marrow as primary organ-at-risk, the ratio is 0.57. The differences are mainly caused be the differing half-lives of the decay products of both radium isotopes. Both radionuclides show comparable DNA damage patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after internal ex-vivo irradiation. Data on the long-term radiation-associated side effects are only available for treatment with [\(^{224}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\). Two epidemiological studies followed two patient groups treated with [\(^{224}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\) for more than 25 years. One of them was the “Spiess study”, a cohort of 899 juvenile patients who received several injections of [\(^{224}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\) with a mean specific activity of 0.66 MBq/kg. Another patient group of ankylosing spondylitis patients was treated with 10 repeated intravenous injections of [\(^{224}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\), 1 MBq each, 1 week apart. In total 1,471 of these patients were followed-up in the “Wick study”. In both studies, an increased cancer mortality by leukemia and solid cancers was observed. Similar considerations on long-term effects likely apply to [\(^{223}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\) as well since the biokinetics are similar and the absorbed doses in the same range. However, this increased risk will most likely not be observed due to the much shorter life expectancy of prostate cancer patients treated with [\(^{223}\)Ra]RaCl\(_2\).
Objectives
The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of I-124 PET images with and without prompt gamma compensation (PGC) by comparing the recovery coefficients (RC), the signal to noise ratios (SNR) and the contrast to F-18 and Ga-68. Furthermore, the influence of the PGC on the quantification and image quality is evaluated.
Methods
For measuring the image quality the NEMA NU2-2001 PET/SPECT-Phantom was used containing 6 spheres with a diameter between 10 mm and 37 mm placed in water with different levels of background activity. Each sphere was filled with the same activity concentration measured by an independently cross-calibrated dose calibrator. The “hot” sources were acquired with a full 3D PET/CT (Biograph mCT®, Siemens Medical USA). Acquisition times were 2 min for F-18 and Ga-68, and 10 min for I-124. For reconstruction an OSEM algorithm was applied. For I-124 the images were reconstructed with and without PGC. For the calculation of the RCs the activity concentrations in each sphere were determined; in addition, the influence of the background correction was studied.
Results
The RCs of Ga-68 are the smallest (79%). I-124 reaches similar RCs (87% with PGC, 84% without PGC) as F-18 (84%). showing that the quantification of I-124 images is similar to F-18 and slightly better than Ga-68. With background activity the contrast of the I-124 PGC images is similar to Ga-68 and F-18 scans. There was lower background activity in the I-124 images without PGC, which probably originates from an overcorrection of the scatter contribution. Consequently, the contrast without PGC was much higher than with PGC. As a consequence PGC should be used for I-124.
Conclusions
For I-124 there is only a slight influence on the quantification depending on the use of the PGC. However, there are considerable differences with respect to I-124 image quality.
Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an orphan malignancy accounting for only ~1% of all cases with primary hyperparathyroidism. The localization of recurrent PC is of critical importance and can be exceedingly difficult to diagnose and sometimes futile when common sites of recurrence in the neck and chest cannot be confirmed. Here, we present the diagnostic workup, molecular analysis and multimodal therapy of a 46-year old woman with the extraordinary manifestation of abdominal lymph node metastases 12 years after primary diagnosis of PC. The patient was referred to our endocrine tumor center in 2016 with the aim to localize the tumor causative of symptomatic biochemical recurrence. In view of the extensive previous workup we decided to perform [18F]FDG-PET-CT. A pathological lymph node in the liver hilus showed slightly increased FDG-uptake and hence was suspected as site of recurrence. Selective venous sampling confirmed increased parathyroid hormone concentration in liver veins. Abdominal lymph node metastasis was resected and histopathological examination confirmed PC. Within four months, the patient experienced biochemical recurrence and based on high tumor mutational burden detected in the surgical specimen by whole exome sequencing the patient received immunotherapy with pembrolizumab that led to a biochemical response. Subsequent to disease progression repeated abdominal lymph node resection was performed in 10/2018, 01/2019 and in 01/2020. Up to now (12/2020) the patient is biochemically free of disease. In conclusion, a multimodal diagnostic approach and therapy in an interdisciplinary setting is needed for patients with rare endocrine tumors. Molecular analyses may inform additional treatment options including checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab.
Purpose
A successful focused surgical approach in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) relies on accurate preoperative localization of the parathyroid adenoma (PA). Most often, ultrasound is followed by [\(^{99m}\)Tc]-sestamibi scintigraphy, but the value of this approach is disputed. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic approach in patients with surgically treated pHPT in our center with the aim to further refine preoperative diagnostic procedures.
Methods
A single-center retrospective analysis of patients with pHPT from 01/2005 to 08/2021 was carried out followed by evaluation of the preoperative imaging modalities to localize PA. The localization of the PA had to be confirmed intraoperatively by the fresh frozen section and significant dropping of the intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.
Results
From 658 patients diagnosed with pHPT, 30 patients were excluded from the analysis because of surgery for recurrent or persistent disease. Median age of patients was 58.0 (13–93) years and 71% were female. Neck ultrasound was carried out in 91.7% and localized a PA in 76.6%. In 23.4% (135/576) of the patients, preoperative neck ultrasound did not detect a PA. In this group, [\(^{99m}\)Tc]-sestamibi correctly identified PA in only 25.4% of patients. In contrast, in the same cohort, the use of [\(^{11}\)C]-methionine or [\(^{11}\)C]-choline PET resulted in the correct identification of PA in 79.4% of patients (OR 13.23; 95% CI 5.24–33.56).
Conclusion
[\(^{11}\)C]-Methionine or [\(^{11}\)C]-choline PET/CT are superior second-line imaging methods to select patients for a focused surgical approach when previous ultrasound failed to identify PA.
Background
In recent years, a lot of effort has been put in the enhancement of medical imaging using artificial intelligence. However, limited patient data in combination with the unavailability of a ground truth often pose a challenge to a systematic validation of such methodologies. The goal of this work was to investigate a recently proposed method for an artificial intelligence-based generation of synthetic SPECT projections, for acceleration of the image acquisition process based on a large dataset of realistic SPECT simulations.
Methods
A database of 10,000 SPECT projection datasets of heterogeneous activity distributions of randomly placed random shapes was simulated for a clinical SPECT/CT system using the SIMIND Monte Carlo program. Synthetic projections at fixed angular increments from a set of input projections at evenly distributed angles were generated by different u-shaped convolutional neural networks (u-nets). These u-nets differed in noise realization used for the training data, number of input projections, projection angle increment, and number of training/validation datasets. Synthetic projections were generated for 500 test projection datasets for each u-net, and a quantitative analysis was performed using statistical hypothesis tests based on structural similarity index measure and normalized root-mean-squared error. Additional simulations with varying detector orbits were performed on a subset of the dataset to study the effect of the detector orbit on the performance of the methodology. For verification of the results, the u-nets were applied to Jaszczak and NEMA physical phantom data obtained on a clinical SPECT/CT system.
Results
No statistically significant differences were observed between u-nets trained with different noise realizations. In contrast, a statistically significant deterioration was found for training with a small subset (400 datasets) of the 10,000 simulated projection datasets in comparison with using a large subset (9500 datasets) for training. A good agreement between synthetic (i.e., u-net generated) and simulated projections before adding noise demonstrates a denoising effect. Finally, the physical phantom measurements show that our findings also apply for projections measured on a clinical SPECT/CT system.
Conclusion
Our study shows the large potential of u-nets for accelerating SPECT/CT imaging. In addition, our analysis numerically reveals a denoising effect when generating synthetic projections with a u-net. Clinically interesting, the methodology has proven robust against camera orbit deviations in a clinically realistic range. Lastly, we found that a small number of training samples (e.g., ~ 400 datasets) may not be sufficient for reliable generalization of the u-net.
Simple Summary
FAP-targeted radiotracers, recently introduced in cancer treatment, accumulate in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs are present in tumor lesions but do not correspond to genuine cancer cells, although they behave in an abnormal and disease-promoting manner. One of their characteristic features, the expression of the surface protein FAP, can be utilized to discriminate between cancerous and healthy tissues. By the choice of an appropriate radionuclide, FAP-targeted tracers can be used for imaging or therapy in many cancer types. Therefore, the first successful application of FAP-targeted imaging has led to an enormous and growing interest in nuclear medicine and radiopharmacy.
Abstract
Targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP) in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has attracted significant attention in nuclear medicine. Since these cells are present in most cancerous tissues and FAP is rarely expressed in healthy tissues, anti-FAP tracers have a potential as pan-tumor agents. Compared to the standard tumor tracer [\(^{18}\)F]FDG, these tracers show better tumor-to-background ratios (TBR) in many indications. Unlike [\(^{18}\)F]FDG, FAP-targeted tracers do not require exhausting preparations, such as dietary restrictions on the part of the patient, and offer the possibility of radioligand therapy (RLT) in a theragnostic approach. Although a radiolabeled antibody was clinically investigated as early as the 1990s, the breakthrough event for FAP-targeting in nuclear medicine was the introduction and clinical application of the so-called FAPI-tracers in 2018. From then, the development and application of FAP-targeted tracers became hot topics for the radiopharmaceutical and nuclear medicine community, and attracted the interest of pharmaceutical companies. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the development of FAP-targeted radiopharmaceuticals and their application in nuclear medicine.
Purpose
While [\(^{18}\)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([\(^{18}\)F]FDG) is the standard for positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), diagnostic specificity is hampered by uptake in inflammatory cells such as neutrophils or macrophages. Recently, molecular imaging probes targeting fibroblast activation protein α (FAP), which is overexpressed in a variety of cancer-associated fibroblasts, have become available and might constitute a feasible alternative to FDG PET/CT.
Methods
Ten consecutive, treatment-naïve patients (8 males, 2 females; mean age, 62 ± 9 years) with biopsy-proven OSCC underwent both whole-body [\(^{18}\)F]FDG and [\(^{68}\)Ga]FAPI-04 (FAP-directed) PET/CT for primary staging prior to tumor resection and cervical lymph node dissection. Detection of the primary tumor, as well as the presence and number of lymph node and distant metastases was analysed. Intensity of tracer accumulation was assessed by means of maximum (SUV\(_{max}\)) and peak (SUV\(_{peak}\) standardized uptake values. Histological work-up including immunohistochemical staining for FAP served as standard of reference.
Results
[\(^{18}\)F]FDG and FAP-directed PET/CT detected all primary tumors with a SUVmax of 25.5 ± 13.2 (FDG) and 20.5 ± 6.4 (FAP-directed) and a SUVpeak of 16.1 ± 10.3 ([\(^{18}\)F]FDG) and 13.8 ± 3.9 (FAP-directed), respectively. Regarding cervical lymph node metastases, FAP-directed PET/CT demonstrated comparable sensitivity (81.3% vs. 87.5%; P = 0.32) and specificity (93.3% vs. 81.3%; P = 0.16) to [\(^{18}\)F]FDG PET/CT. FAP expression on the cell surface of cancer-associated fibroblasts in both primary lesions as well as lymph nodes metastases was confirmed in all samples.
Conclusion
FAP-directed PET/CT in OSCC seems feasible. Future research to investigate its potential to improve patient staging is highly warranted.
Background
Hematogenous tumor spread of malignant meningiomas occurs very rarely but is associated with very poor prognosis.
Case presentation
We report an unusual case of a patient with a malignant meningioma who developed multiple metastases in bones, lungs and liver after initial complete resection of the primary tumor. After partial hepatic resection, specimens were histologically analyzed, and a complete loss of E-cadherin adhesion molecules was found. No oncogenic target mutations were found. The patient received a combination of conventional radiotherapy and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Due to aggressive tumor behavior and rapid spread of metastases, the patient deceased after initiation of treatment.
Conclusions
E-cadherin downregulation is associated with a higher probability of tumor invasion and distant metastasis formation in malignant meningioma. Up to now, the efficacy of systemic therapy, including PRRT, is very limited in malignant meningioma patients.
This retrospective, single-institutional study investigated long-term outcome, toxicity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in meningioma patients after radiotherapy. We analyzed the data of 119 patients who received radiotherapy at our department from 1997 to 2014 for intracranial WHO grade I-III meningioma. Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or radiosurgery radiation was applied. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BN20 questionnaires were completed for assessment of HRQoL. Overall survival (OS) for the entire study group was 89.6% at 5 years and 75.9% at 10 years. Local control (LC) at 5 and 10 years was 82.4% and 73.4%, respectively. Local recurrence was observed in 22 patients (18.5%). Higher grade acute and chronic toxicities were observed in seven patients (5.9%) and five patients (4.2%), respectively. Global health status was rated with a mean of 59.9 points (SD 22.3) on QLQ-C30. In conclusion, radiotherapy resulted in very good long-term survival and tumor control rates with low rates of severe toxicities but with a deterioration of long-term HRQoL.
Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an essentially incurable hematologic malignancy. However, new treatment modalities and novel drugs have been introduced and thus additional tools for therapy monitoring are increasingly needed. Therefore, we evaluated the radiotracers \(^{11}\)C-Methionine (paraprotein-biosynthesis) and \(^{18}\)F-FDG (glucose-utilization) for monitoring response to anti-myeloma-therapy and outcome prediction. Influence of proteasome-inhibition on radiotracer-uptake of different MM cell-lines and patient-derived CD138\(^{+}\) plasma cells was analyzed and related to tumor-biology. Mice xenotransplanted with MM. 1S tumors underwent MET- and FDG-\(\mu\)PET. Tumor-to-background ratios before and after 24 h, 8 and 15 days treatment with bortezomib were correlated to survival. Treatment reduced both MET and FDG uptake; changes in tracer-retention correlated with a switch from high to low CD138-expression. In xenotransplanted mice, MET-uptake significantly decreased by 30-79% as early as 24 h after bortezomib injection. No significant differences were detected thus early with FDG. This finding was confirmed in patient-derived MM cells. Importantly, early reduction of MET-but not FDG-uptake correlated with improved survival and reduced tumor burden in mice. Our results suggest that MET is superior to FDG in very early assessment of response to anti-myeloma-therapy. Early changes in MET-uptake have predictive potential regarding response and survival. MET-PET holds promise to individualize therapies in MM in future.
Purpose
Multiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy originating from clonal plasma cells. Despite effective therapies, outcomes are highly variable suggesting marked disease heterogeneity. The role of functional imaging for therapeutic management of myeloma, such as positron emission tomography with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG-PET), remains to be determined. Although some studies already suggested a prognostic value of 18F-FDG-PET, more specific tracers addressing hallmarks of myeloma biology, e.g. paraprotein biosynthesis, are needed. This study evaluated the amino acid tracers L-methyl-[11C]-methionine (11C-MET) and [18F]-fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (18F-Fet) for their potential to image myeloma and to characterize tumor heterogeneity.
Experimental Design
To study the utility of 11C-MET, 18F-Fet and 18F-FDG for myeloma imaging, time activity curves were compared in various human myeloma cell lines (INA-6, MM1.S, OPM-2) and correlated to cell-biological characteristics, such as marker gene expression and immunoglobulin levels. Likewise, patient-derived CD138+ plasma cells were characterized regarding uptake and biomedical features.
Results
Using myeloma cell lines and patient-derived CD138+ plasma cells, we found that the relative uptake of 11C-MET exceeds that of 18F-FDG 1.5- to 5-fold and that of 18F-Fet 7- to 20-fold. Importantly, 11C-MET uptake significantly differed between cell types associated with worse prognosis (e.g. t(4;14) in OPM-2 cells) and indolent ones and correlated with intracellular immunoglobulin light chain and cell surface CD138 and CXCR4 levels. Direct comparison of radiotracer uptake in primary samples further validated the superiority of 11C-MET.
Conclusion
These data suggest that 11C-MET might be a versatile biomarker for myeloma superior to routine functional imaging with 18F-FDG regarding diagnosis, risk stratification, prognosis and discrimination of tumor subtypes.
PURPOSE:
To evaluate the heart and the Tc-99m-sestamibi biodistribution after statin pretreatment in a rat model of abdominal sepsis.
METHODS:
Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups (n=6 per group): 1) sepsis with simvastatin treatment, 2) sepsis with vehicle, 3) sham control with simvastatin and 4) sham control with vehicle. 24 hours after cecal ligation and puncture rats received 1.0MBq of Tc-99m-sestamibi i.v. 30min after, animals were euthanized for ex-vivo tissue counting and myocardium histological analysis.
RESULTS:
Myocardial histologic alterations were not detected 24 hours post-sepsis. There was significantly increased cardiac Tc-99m-sestamibi activity in the sepsis group with simvastatin treatment (1.9\(\pm\)0.3%ID/g, p<0.001) in comparison to the sepsis group+vehicle (1.0\(\pm\)0.2% ID/g), control sham group+ simvastatin (1.2\(\pm\)0.3% ID/g) and control sham group (1.3\(\pm\)0.2% ID/g). Significant Tc-99m-sestamibi activity in liver, kidney and lungs was also detected in the sepsis group treated with simvastatinin comparison to the other groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
Statin treatment altered the biodistribution of Tc-99m-sestamibi with increased cardiac and solid organ activity in rats with abdominal sepsis, while no impact on controls. Increased myocardial tracer activity may be a result of a possible protection effect due to increased tissue perfusion mediated by statins.
Korrelation von pQCT-Messwerten am distalen Radius (XCT 2000) und an der distalen Tibia (XCT 3000)
(2010)
Die Osteoporose ist als häufigste Knochenerkrankung im Alter die Ursache vieler Beeinträchtigungen. Definiert wird sie über die Knochendichte, die unter anderem mit der peripheren quantitativen Computertomographie (pQCT) bestimmt werden kann. Mit unseren Daten aus Knochendichtemessungen per pQCT am distalen Radius (XCT 2000) und an der distalen Tibia (XCT 3000) konnten wir im Tukey-HSD-Test zeigen, dass die Knochendichteparameter an oberer und unterer Extremität gut miteinander korrelieren. Es wurden die trabekuläre und die totale Dichte sowie der polare stress-and-strain-Index berücksichtigt. Die trabekuläre Knochendichte an der Tibia, dem gewichtstragenden Knochen, ist höher als die am Radius. Einflussnahme auf die Knochendichte konnte mittels Regressionsanalyse für das Alter, das Geschlecht, die Größe, das Gewicht und den BMI nachgewiesen werden. Die altersbedingte Abnahme der Knochendichte ist an der Tibia stärker ausgeprägt als am Radius. Bei der Frau bedingt eine hohe totale Dichte am Radius eine höhere Festigkeit an der Tibia als bei entsprechenden Dichtewerten beim Mann. Unter Mitberücksichtigung des Alters steigt die Festigkeit an der Tibia beim Mann mit den Jahren an. Bei der Frau sinkt sie, wie auch am Radius, mit steigendem Alter. Das Gewicht nimmt signifikanten Einfluss auf die untere Extremität, nicht jedoch auf den Radius. Die Betrachtung des BMI zeigt, dass nicht die reine Gewichtszunahme sondern die Kombination aus Größe und Gewicht diesen positiven Effekt erzielen, Fettleibigkeit ab dem Adipositasgrad aber einen negativen Einfluss auf die Knochendichte und -festigkeit hat.
(1) Background: C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) and Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha (FAP) are promising theranostic targets. However, it is unclear whether CXCR4 and FAP positivity mark distinct microenvironments, especially in solid tumors. (2) Methods: Using Random Forest (RF) analysis, we searched for entity-independent mRNA and microRNA signatures related to CXCR4 and FAP overexpression in our pan-cancer cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database — representing n = 9242 specimens from 29 tumor entities. CXCR4- and FAP-positive samples were assessed via StringDB cluster analysis, EnrichR, Metascape, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Findings were validated via correlation analyses in n = 1541 tumor samples. TIMER2.0 analyzed the association of CXCR4 / FAP expression and infiltration levels of immune-related cells. (3) Results: We identified entity-independent CXCR4 and FAP gene signatures representative for the majority of solid cancers. While CXCR4 positivity marked an immune-related microenvironment, FAP overexpression highlighted an angiogenesis-associated niche. TIMER2.0 analysis confirmed characteristic infiltration levels of CD8+ cells for CXCR4-positive tumors and endothelial cells for FAP-positive tumors. (4) Conclusions: CXCR4- and FAP-directed PET imaging could provide a non-invasive decision aid for entity-agnostic treatment of microenvironment in solid malignancies. Moreover, this machine learning workflow can easily be transferred towards other theranostic targets.
Background. Mediating glucose absorption in the small intestine and renal clearance, sodium glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) have emerged as an attractive therapeutic target in diabetic patients. A substantial fraction of patients, however, only achieve inadequate glycemic control. Thus, we aimed to assess the potential of the SGLT-targeting PET radiotracer alpha-methyl-4-deoxy-4-[\(^{18}\)F]fluoro-D-glucopyranoside ([\(^{18}\)F]Me4FDG) as a noninvasive intestinal and renal biomarker of SGLT-mediated glucose transport. Methods. We investigated healthy rats using a dedicated small animal PET system. Dynamic imaging was conducted after administration of the reference radiotracer 2-deoxy-2-[\(^{18}\)F]fluoro-D-glucose ([\(^{18}\)F]FDG), or the SGLT-targeting agent, [\(^{18}\)F]Me4FDG either directly into the digestive tract (for assessing intestinal absorption) or via the tail vein (for evaluating kidney excretion). To confirm the specificity of [18F]Me4FDG and responsiveness to treatment, a subset of animals was also pretreated with the SGLT inhibitor phlorizin. In this regard, an intraintestinal route of administration was used to assess tracer absorption in the digestive tract, while for renal assessment, phlorizin was injected intravenously (IV). Results. Serving as reference, intestinal administration of [\(^{18}\)F]FDG led to slow absorption with retention of % of administered radioactivity at 15 min. [\(^{18}\)F]Me4FDG, however, was rapidly absorbed into the blood and cleared from the intestine within 15 min, leading to markedly lower tracer retention of % (). Intraintestinal phlorizin led to marked increase of [\(^{18}\)F]Me4FDG uptake (15 min, %; vs. untreated controls), supporting the notion that this PET agent can measure adequate SGLT inhibition in the digestive tract. In the kidneys, radiotracer was also sensitive to SGLT inhibition. After IV injection, [\(^{18}\)F]Me4FDG reabsorption in the renal cortex was significantly suppressed by phlorizin when compared to untreated animals (%ID/g at 60 min, vs. untreated controls, ; ). Conclusion. As a noninvasive read-out of the concurrent SGLT expression in both the digestive tract and the renal cortex, [\(^{18}\)F]Me4FDG PET may serve as a surrogate marker for treatment response to SGLT inhibition. As such, [\(^{18}\)F]Me4FDG may enable improvement in glycemic control in diabetes by PET-based monitoring strategies.
Background. Equipped with two stationary detectors, a large bore collimator for medium-sized animals has been recently introduced for dedicated preclinical single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. We aimed to evaluate the basic performance of the system using phantoms and healthy rabbits. Methods. A general-purpose medium-sized animal (GP-MSA) collimator with 135 mm bore diameter and thirty-three holes of 2.5 mm diameter was installed on an ultrahigh-resolution scanner equipped with two large stationary detectors (U-SPECT5-E/CT). The sensitivity and uniformity were investigated using a point source and a cylinder phantom containing 99mTc-pertechnetate, respectively. Uniformity (in %) was derived using volumes of interest (VOIs) on images of the cylinder phantom and calculated as , with lower values of % indicating superior performance. The spatial resolution and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were evaluated with images of a hot-rod Derenzo phantom using different activity concentrations. Feasibility of in vivo SPECT imaging was finally confirmed by rabbit imaging with the most commonly used clinical myocardial perfusion SPECT agent [99mTc]Tc-sestamibi (dynamic acquisition with a scan time of 5 min). Results. In the performance evaluation, a sensitivity of 790 cps/MBq, a spatial resolution with the hot-rod phantom of 2.5 mm, and a uniformity of 39.2% were achieved. The CNRs of the rod size 2.5 mm were 1.37, 1.24, 1.20, and 0.85 for activity concentration of 29.2, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.1 MBq/mL, respectively. Dynamic SPECT imaging in rabbits allowed to visualize most of the thorax and to generate time-activity curves of the left myocardial wall and ventricular cavity. Conclusion. Preclinical U-SPECT5-E/CT equipped with a large bore collimator demonstrated adequate sensitivity and resolution for in vivo rabbit imaging. Along with its unique features of SPECT molecular functional imaging is a superior collimator technology that is applicable to medium-sized animal models and thus may promote translational research for diagnostic purposes and development of novel therapeutics.
GTP cyclohydrolase 1, encoded by the GCH1 gene, is an essential enzyme for dopamine production in nigrostriatal cells. Loss-of-function mutations in GCH1 result in severe reduction of dopamine synthesis in nigrostriatal cells and are the most common cause of DOPA-responsive dystonia, a rare disease that classically presents in childhood with generalized dystonia and a dramatic long-lasting response to levodopa. We describe clinical, genetic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic imaging ([(123)I]N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl) tropane single photon computed tomography) findings of four unrelated pedigrees with DOPA-responsive dystonia in which pathogenic GCH1 variants were identified in family members with adult-onset parkinsonism. Dopamine transporter imaging was abnormal in all parkinsonian patients, indicating Parkinson's disease-like nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation. We subsequently explored the possibility that pathogenic GCH1 variants could contribute to the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, even in the absence of a family history for DOPA-responsive dystonia. The frequency of GCH1 variants was evaluated in whole-exome sequencing data of 1318 cases with Parkinson's disease and 5935 control subjects. Combining cases and controls, we identified a total of 11 different heterozygous GCH1 variants, all at low frequency. This list includes four pathogenic variants previously associated with DOPA-responsive dystonia (Q110X, V204I, K224R and M230I) and seven of undetermined clinical relevance (Q110E, T112A, A120S, D134G, I154V, R198Q and G217V). The frequency of GCH1 variants was significantly higher (Fisher's exact test P-value 0.0001) in cases (10/1318 = 0.75%) than in controls (6/5935 = 0.1%; odds ratio 7.5; 95% confidence interval 2.4-25.3). Our results show that rare GCH1 variants are associated with an increased risk for Parkinson's disease. These findings expand the clinical and biological relevance of GTP cycloydrolase 1 deficiency, suggesting that it not only leads to biochemical striatal dopamine depletion and DOPA-responsive dystonia, but also predisposes to nigrostriatal cell loss. Further insight into GCH1-associated pathogenetic mechanisms will shed light on the role of dopamine metabolism in nigral degeneration and Parkinson's disease.
Stürze im Alter stellen ein ernstzunehmendes und häufiges Geschehen im Alter dar. Die Gründe sind multifaktoriell bedingt, wobei die Sarkopenie einen wichtigen Stellenwert einnimmt.
Eine an der Universität Würzburg entwickelte Bodenreaktionskraftmessplatte ermöglicht die Erfassung von Muskelkraft und Muskelleistung während natürlicher Bewegungsabläufe wie Kniebeugen oder Aufstehen von einem Stuhl.
In dieser Pilotstudie wurde untersucht, ob dieses Messverfahren als Screeningmethode
zur Erkennung von Muskelkraft und -leistungsdefiziten geeignet ist und ob ein Zusammenhang mit einem erhöhten Sturzvorkommen besteht. Bei 459 zu Hause lebenden mobilen Senioren zwischen dem 50. und 80. Lebensjahr wurde die Muskelkraft und Muskelleistung der unteren Extremitäten erfasst. Zudem wurden in einem Fragebogen Sturzrisikofaktoren und Stürze der letzten 12 Monate ermittelt.
Die Befunde zum Abbau von Muskelkraft und -leistung decken sich mit der gegenwärtigen Studienlage. Im Zusammenhang mit den angegegebenen Stürzen könnte anhand der Ergebnisse insbesondere die Muskelleistung eine Screeningmethode zur Einschätzung des Sturzrisikos darstellen. Weiterführende Studien scheinen anhand der Ergebnisse gerechtfertigt.
Für das klinische Management des Prostatakarzinoms werden nuklearmedizinische Verfahren zunehmend relevant. Bildgebung und Therapie, welche gegen das Prostataspezifische Membranantigen (PSMA) gerichtet sind, werden bereits im klinischen Alltag angewendet. Weitere potenzielle Biomarker des Prostatakarzinoms, wie beispielsweise der CXC-Motiv-Chemokinrezeptor 4 (CXCR4) und der Somatostatinrezeptor Typ 2 (SSTR2), werden zudem als nuklearmedizinische Zielstrukturen diskutiert. Vorangegangene Arbeiten legten einen Zusammenhang zwischen dem Ausmaß der PSMA-Expression und der Sensitivität gegenüber Docetaxel in Prostatakarzinomzellen nahe. Ein Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war, diesen Mechanismus genauer zu untersuchen. Dabei wurden die Aktivität onkogener Signalwege, die Proliferation und die CXCR4- sowie die Androgenrezeptor (AR)- Expression in Prostatakarzinomzelllinien mit unterschiedlicher PSMA-Expression durchflusszytometrisch quantifiziert. Im zweiten Projektteil sollte der Einfluss von Metformin und verschiedener, bereits in der Prostatakarzinomtherapie angewandter Medikamente (Docetaxel, Dexamethason, Abirateron und Enzalutamid), auf die Expression von PSMA, CXCR4 und SSTR2 untersucht werden. Die Quantifizierung der Expression erfolgte mittels Durchflusszytometrie. Ein kausaler Mechanismus für den Zusammenhang zwischen PSMA-Expression und Docetaxel-Sensitivität konnte in dieser Arbeit schließlich nicht hergestellt werden. Es zeigten sich jedoch vor allem Expressionsmodulationen von PSMA und CXCR4. Mittels Docetaxel konnte z.B. bei C4-2 Zellen eine Verdopplung der PSMA-Expression und eine Verdreifachung der CXCR4-Expression erreicht werden. Darüber hinaus zeigte die Behandlung mit Abirateron eine deutliche Heraufregulation der PSMA- Expression bei LNCaP und C4-2 Zellen, sowie eine Zunahme der CXCR4- Expression bei allen untersuchten Zelllinien. Sollte sich der Einfluss der medikamentösen Behandlung auf die Expression von PSMA und CXCR4 bestätigen, kann dies zukünftig zur verbesserten und individualisierten Diagnostik und Therapie von Prostatakarzinompatienten beitragen.
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) represents a rare tumor entity with limited treatment options and usually rapid tumor progression in case of metastatic disease. As further treatment options are needed and ACC metastases are sensitive to external beam radiation, novel theranostic approaches could complement established therapeutic concepts. Recent developments focus on targeting adrenal cortex-specific enzymes like the theranostic twin [\(^{123/131}\)I]IMAZA that shows a good image quality and a promising therapeutic effect in selected patients. But other established molecular targets in nuclear medicine such as the C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) could possibly enhance the therapeutic regimen as well in a subgroup of patients. The aims of this review are to give an overview of innovative radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of ACC and to present the different molecular targets, as well as to show future perspectives for further developments since a radiopharmaceutical with a broad application range is still warranted.
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-directed positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is increasingly utilized for staging of men with prostate cancer (PC). To increase interpretive certainty, the standardized PSMA reporting and data system (RADS) has been proposed. Using PSMA-RADS, we characterized lesions in 18 patients imaged with \(^{18}\)F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT for primary staging and determined the stability of semi-quantitative parameters. Six hundred twenty-three lesions were categorized according to PSMA-RADS and manually segmented. In this context, PSMA-RADS-3A (soft-tissue) or -3B (bone) lesions are defined as being indeterminate for the presence of PC. For PMSA-RADS-4 and -5 lesions; however, PC is highly likely or almost certainly present [with further distinction based on absence (PSMA-RADS-4) or presence (PSMA-RADS-5) of correlative findings on CT]. Standardized uptake values (SUV\(_{max}\), SUV\(_{peak}\), SUV\(_{mean}\)) were recorded, and volumetric parameters [PSMA-derived tumor volume (PSMA-TV); total lesion PSMA (TL-PSMA)] were determined using different maximum intensity thresholds (MIT) (40 vs. 45 vs. 50%). SUV\(_{max}\) was significantly higher in PSMA-RADS-5 lesions compared to all other PSMA-RADS categories (p ≤ 0.0322). In particular, the clinically challenging PSMA-RADS-3A lesions showed significantly lower SUV\(_{max}\) and SUV\(_{peak}\) compared to the entire PSMA-RADS-4 or -5 cohort (p < 0.0001), while for PSMA-RADS-3B this only applies when compared to the entire PSMA-RADS-5 cohort (p < 0.0001), but not to the PSMA-RADS-4 cohort (SUV\(_{max}\), p = 0.07; SUV\(_{peak}\), p = 0.08). SUV\(_{mean}\) (p = 0.30) and TL-PSMA (p = 0.16) in PSMA-RADS-5 lesions were not influenced by changing the MIT, while PSMA-TV showed significant differences when comparing 40 vs. 50% MIT (p = 0.0066), which was driven by lymph nodes (p = 0.0239), but not bone lesions (p = 0.15). SUV\(_{max}\) was significantly higher in PSMA-RADS-5 lesions compared to all other PSMA-RADS categories in \(^{18}\)F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT. As such, the latter parameter may assist the interpreting molecular imaging specialist in assigning the correct PSMA-RADS score to sites of disease, thereby increasing diagnostic certainty. In addition, changes of the MIT in PSMA-RADS-5 lesions had no significant impact on SUV\(_{mean}\) and TL-PSMA in contrast to PSMA-TV.
\(^{11}\)C-methionine (\(^{11}\)C-MET) is a new positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for the assessment of disease activity in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, with preliminary data suggesting higher sensitivity and specificity than \(^{18}\)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (\(^{18}\)F-FDG). However, the value of tumor burden biomarkers has yet to be investigated. Our goals were to corroborate the superiority of \(^{11}\)C-MET for MM staging and to compare its suitability for the assessment of metabolic tumor burden biomarkers in comparison to \(^{18}\)F-FDG. Twenty-two patients with newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve symptomatic MM who had undergone \(^{11}\)C-MET and \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET/CT were evaluated. Standardized uptake values (SUV) were determined and compared with total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) for both tracers: total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and total lesion \(^{11}\)C-MET uptake (TLMU). PET-derived values were compared to Revised International Staging System (R-ISS), cytogenetic, and serologic MM markers such as M component, beta 2 microglobulin (B2M), serum free light chains (FLC), albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In 11 patients (50%), \(^{11}\)C-MET detected more focal lesions (FL) than FDG (p < 0.01). SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVpeak, TMTV, and TLMU were also significantly higher in \(^{11}\)C-MET than in \(^{18}\)F-FDG (p < 0.05, respectively). \(^{11}\)C-MET PET biomarkers had a better correlation with tumor burden (bone marrow plasma cell infiltration, M component; p < 0.05 versus p = n.s. respectively). This pilot study suggests that \(^{11}\)C-MET PET/CT is a more sensitive marker for the assessment of myeloma tumor burden than \(^{18}\)F-FDG. Its implications for prognosis evaluation need further investigation.
In 20 humanen, osteoporotischen Unterschenkeln wurde versucht eine Lauge-Hansen Supination-Eversions-Verletzung Stadium II zu reproduzieren. In 15 der 18 auswertbaren Proben waren Außenknöchelfrakturen induzierbar. Die Voraussetzung für die erfolgreiche Frakturinduktion war eine Mindestknochen- und Spongiosadichte des Außenknöchels gemessen mit pQCT an Innen- und Außenknöchel. Ansonsten kam es nur zu ligamentären fibularen oder tibialen Avuslionen. Entscheidend, ob eine Außenknöchelfraktur auf Höhe der Syndesmose oder distal entstand, war eine effektive, lateral gerichtete talofibulare Kraft. Jeweils sechs der 15 Außenknöchelfrakturen wurden mit winkelstabilen und nicht winkelstabilen Konturenplatten versorgt und biomechanisch getestet. Mit p kleiner 0,05 konnte signifikant gezeigt werden, dass zum Versagen der winkelstabilen Konturenplatte ein höheres Drehmoment und ein größere Außenrotation nötig waren, als für die nicht winkelstabilen Konturenplatte. Neben der biomechanischen Überlegenheit der winkelstabilen Konturenplatte konnte gezeigt werden, dass ihr Versagen im Gegensatz zur nicht winkelstabilen Konturenplatte unabhängig ist von der Knochendichte des Außenknöchels.
Jod ist ein essentielles Spurenelement, welches der Mensch zur Aufrechterhaltung des ungestörten Schilddrüsenmetabolismus und davon beeinflussten verschiedenen Körperfunktionen benötigt. Weltweit gab und gibt es einen Jodmangel, der schwerwiegende gesundheitliche Folgen für das Individuum und wirtschaftliche Folgen für die Gesundheitssysteme des jeweiligen Landes hat. Auch Deutschland galt mit weiteren europäischen Ländern bis vor wenigen Jahren als Jodmangelgebiet. Durch intensive Aufklärungsarbeit und Programme zur Beseitigung des Jodmangels gelang es, diesen in vielen Ländern zu vermindern. Außer einer generellen Verwendung von Jodsalz in der Lebensmittelproduktion und den Privathaushalten, konnten noch weitere wichtige Jodquellen für die Bevölkerung in verschiedenen Studien belegt werden. Diese Studie beschäftigt sich mit der Ermittlung von Jodgehalt in Alltagsgetränken. Die Ergebnisse sind vergleichbar zu bereits veröffentlichen Studien und zeigen einen hohen Jodgehalt von Milch und Milchgetränken, sowie von Bier und Wein. Kein Jod in größeren Mengen hingegen enthält das regionale Leitungswasser, sowie Mineralwässer und diverse Fruchtsäfte. Somit kann der Verzehr von Milch und Milchgetränken und in Maßen auch Bier und Wein für eine jodreiche Ernährung empfohlen werden. Hingegen sollten Patienten in Vorbereitung zum Beispiel auf eine Radiojodtherapie Milch, Biere und Wein eher meiden und jodarme Getränke bevorzugen.
Background
Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most frequent malignant intraorbital tumour in paediatric patients. Differentiation of tumour recurrence or metastases from post-therapeutic signal alteration can be challenging, using standard MR imaging techniques. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) is increasingly considered a helpful supplementary imaging tool for differentiation of orbital masses.
Case presentation
We report on a 15-year-old female adolescent of Caucasian ethnicity who developed isolated bilateral thickening of extraocular eye muscles about two years after successful multimodal treatment of orbital alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Intramuscular restricted diffusion was the first diagnostic indicator suggestive of metastatic disease to the eye muscles. DWI subsequently showed signal changes consistent with tumour progression, complete remission under chemoradiotherapy and tumour recurrence.
Conclusions
Restricted diffusivity is a strong early indicator of malignancy in orbital tumours. DWI can be the key to correct diagnosis in unusual tumour manifestations and can provide additional diagnostic information beyond standard MRI and PET/CT. Diffusion-weighted MRI is useful for monitoring therapy response and for detecting tumour recurrence.
Die Radiosynoviorthese ist ein etabliertes Therapieverfahren zur Behandlung der Synovialitis.
Da bei der Radiosynoviorthese die Handhabung von radioaktiven β-Strahlern wie Yttrium, Rhenium und Erbium notwendig ist, sind bestimmte Schutzmaßnahmen einzuhalten. Zum Schutze des Patienten wurden Leitlinien aufgestellt, um die Strahlenbelastung so gering wie möglich zu halten. Die Exposition der bei der Vorbereitung und Applikation beteiligten Ärzte, Radiopharmazeuten sowie beteiligten Krankenschwestern bietet Raum für weitere Verbesserungen.
Eine Untersuchung des Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz dokumentiert höchst bedenkliche Zahlen, für die β-Ortsdosimetrie, die die zulässige Jahresdosis um ein Vielfaches überschreiten können.
Die Einführung von sogenannten Thermolumineszensdetektoren, getragen als Ringdosimeter an den Grundgelenken der Zeigefinger, sollen realistische Expositionswerte aufzeichnen und somit eine Kontrolle der Dosis ermöglichen. Diese TLD’s sind mit der Markierung „RSO“ gekennzeichnet und werden nur bei der Arbeit mit den radioaktiven Substanzen getragen. Die monatliche Auswertung dokumentiert die Strahlenexposition der beteiligten Personen.
In verschiedenen Studien wurden Methoden zur Minimierung der Strahlenexposition getestet. Sie führten zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Abschirmung mit Acrylglas, die Abstandshaltung durch langschenklige Zangen sowie das Tragen von Nitril-Handschuhen am effektivsten zu einer Verringerung der Expositionswerte beitragen.
Ziel dieser retrospektiven Auswertung von Daten aus drei Jahren war es, die Effektivität der an der Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin in Würzburg praktizierten Strahlenschutzmaßnahmen zu untersuchen.
Über einen Zeitraum von drei Jahren wurden 547 Gelenke in 368 Patienten mit 52.421 MBq, der drei Radionuklide 169Er, 186Re und 90Y behandelt. Die Oberflächenpersonendosis Hp(0,07) wurde mittels Fingerringdosimeter aufgezeichnet.
Die acht an der Radiosynoviorthese beteiligten Personen erhielten eine kumulative Hautdosis Hp(0,07) von 498 mSv. Die kumulative Dosis pro Aktivität betrug somit weniger als 10 mSv/Bq. Sie lag pro Arzt bei 1,1 μSv/MBq und pro MTA bei bis zu 4,5 μSv/MBq.
Die akkumulierte Hautdosis Hp (0,07) während der Radiosynoviorthese war somit weitaus geringer im Vergleich zu den gesetzlichen Vorgaben und den zur Verfügung stehenden publizierten Daten.
Stem cell therapy holds great promise for tissue regeneration and cancer treatment, although its efficacy is still inconclusive and requires further understanding and optimization of the procedures. Non-invasive cell tracking can provide an important opportunity to monitor in vivo cell distribution in living subjects. Here, using a combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and in vitro 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) direct cell labelling, the feasibility of engrafted stem cell monitoring was tested in multiple animal species. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were incubated with phosphate-buffered saline containing [18F]FDG for in vitro cell radiolabelling. The pre-labelled MSCs were administrated via peripheral vein in a mouse (n=1), rats (n=4), rabbits (n=4) and non-human primates (n=3), via carotid artery in rats (n=4) and non-human primates (n=3), and via intra-myocardial injection in rats (n=5). PET imaging was started 10 min after cell administration using a dedicated small animal PET system for a mouse and rats. A clinical PET system was used for the imaging of rabbits and non-human primates. After MSC administration via peripheral vein, PET imaging revealed intense radiotracer signal from the lung in all tested animal species including mouse, rat, rabbit, and non-human primate, suggesting administrated MSCs were trapped in the lung tissue. Furthermore, the distribution of the PET signal significantly differed based on the route of cell administration. Administration via carotid artery showed the highest activity in the head, and intra-myocardial injection increased signal from the heart. In vitro [18F]FDG MSC pre-labelling for PET imaging is feasible and allows non-invasive visualization of initial cell distribution after different routes of cell administration in multiple animal models. Those results highlight the potential use of that imaging approach for the understanding and optimization of stem cell therapy in translational research.
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.
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.
In der vorliegenden retrospektiven Analyse wurden Prognosefaktoren des differenzierten Schilddrüsenkarzinomes untersucht anhand eines Patientenkollektiv von 1174 Patienten, die im Zeitraum von 01.01.1980 bis 31.12.2004 an der Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin der Universität Würzburg eine Behandlung erhielten bzw. betreut wurden. Analysiert wurden sowohl tumorbezogene Prognosefaktoren wie Histologie, Tumorstadien, Lymphknotenstatus und Fernmetastasierung, zudem patientenspezifische Faktoren wie Alter und Geschlecht. Bezüglich dieser Prognosefaktoren konnten wir die Daten früherer Jahre am Patientengut der Würzburger nuklearmedizinischen Klinik bestätigen. Außerdem wurde die Auswirkung auf das krankheitsfreie Überleben in Abhängigkeit der postoperativen Tumorfreiheit und nach einer erfolgten Radioiodtherapie untersucht. Die Ergebnisse werden kritisch in den Kontext der aktuellen Studienlage gestellt.
Das Multiple Myelom (MM) ist eine maligne hämatologische Erkrankung, die trotz großer Fortschritte in der Therapie immer noch eine schlechte Prognose hat.
Bisher ist es nicht möglich, mit einem bildgebenden Verfahren alle Fragen der Diagnostik, der Stadieneinteilung, des Therapiemonitorings und der Evaluation der Prognose des Multiplen Myeloms zu klären. Da es sich beim Multiplen Myelom aber um eine stark heterogene Erkrankung handelt, die eine frühzeitige individuelle Therapie erfordert, ist es unbedingt nötig Verfahren zu entwickeln, die eine spezifische Charakterisierung der Erkrankung bei jedem einzelnen Patienten ermöglichen.
In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die MM-Zelllinien INA-6, MM.1S und OPM-2 mit dem Proteasominhibitor MLN9708 behandelt. Behandelte und unbehandelte Zellen wurden mit dem Standardtracer 2-[18F]-Fluoro-2-Desoxy-D-Glukose (18F-FDG) oder dem in der Anwendung beim Multiplen Myelom neuen Aminosäuretracer [11C]-Methionin (11C-MET) inkubiert und die Aufnahme der Tracer zu bestimmten Zeitpunkten gemessen. Des Weiteren wurde die Ausprägung biologischer Merkmale der MM-Pathogenese bei behandelten und unbehandelten Zellen untersucht. Anschließend wurde ermittelt, ob ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Höhe der Traceraufnahme und der Ausprägung biologischer Merkmale der MM-Pathogenese bei behandelten und unbehandelten Zellen besteht.
Hierdurch soll geklärt werden, ob 11C-MET besser zur Diagnostik, dem Therapiemonitoring und der Evaluation der Prognose des Multiplen Myeloms geeignet ist als der Standardtracer 18F-FDG.
Es zeigte sich eine signifikant höhere 11C-MET-Aufnahme sowohl unbehandelter als auch behandelter Zellen im Vergleich zu 18F-FDG. Außerdem war eine Unterscheidung zwischen behandelten und unbehandelten Zellen mit 11C-MET besser möglich als mit 18F-FDG. Zwischen Traceraufnahme und biologischen Merkmalen der MM-Pathogenese, wie Proliferation, Expression von intrazellulären Leichtketten, CXCR4 und CD138, ergaben sich für behandelte und unbehandelte Zellen variable Zusammenhänge.
Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass 11C-MET besser zur Diagnostik und zum Therapiemonitoring des Multiplen Myeloms geeignet ist als der Standardtracer 18F-FDG.
Ob 11C-MET auch zur Stadieneinteilung und zur Evaluation der Prognose des Multiplen Myeloms besser geeignet ist als 18F-FDG, muss in weiteren Studien untersucht werden.
Schimmelpilze können in Abhängigkeit des Immunstatus und der Vorerkrankungen betroffener Patienten unterschiedliche Krankheitsbilder wie Hypersensitivitäts-erkrankungen oder lebensbedrohliche invasive Infektionen hervorrufen. Da die Diagnosestellung dieser Erkrankungen mitunter komplex und insensitiv ist, sollten im Rahmen dieser Arbeit unterschiedliche Ansätze neuer diagnostischer Assays untersucht werden.
In den letzten Jahren wurden Assays entwickelt, die auf Basis durchflusszytometrisch quantifizierter Pilz-spezifischer T-Zellen aus peripherem Blut einen supportiven Biomarker zur Diagnostik invasiver Mykosen liefern könnten. Da die hierfür isolierten T-Zellen anfällig gegenüber präanalytischer Lagerzeiten und immunsuppressiver Medikation sind, wurden hier Protokolloptimierungen vorgenommen, um anhand eines Vollblut-basierten Assays mit zusätzlicher CD49d-Kostimulation diesen Limitationen entgegen zu wirken. In einer Studie an gesunden Probanden konnte dabei gezeigt werden, dass die Kombination der Durchflusszytometrie mit ausgewählten Zytokin-Messungen (IL-5, IL-10 und IL-17) zu einer verbesserten Erkennung vermehrt Schimmelpilz-exponierter Personen beitragen könnte. Neben Infektionen könnten dabei im umwelt- und arbeitsmedizinischen Kontext Polarisationen der T-Zell-Populationen detektiert werden, welche mit Sensibilisierungen und Hypersensitivität assoziiert werden.
Zusätzlich wurde ein in vitro Transwell® Alveolarmodell zur Simulation pulmonaler Pilzinfektionen für Erreger der Ordnung Mucorales adaptiert, durch Reproduktion wichtiger Merkmale der Pathogenese von Mucormykosen validiert, und für Untersuchungen der Immunpathologie und Erreger-Invasion verwendet. Das Modell wurde anschließend zur in vitro Evaluation von radioaktiv markiertem Amphotericin B mit 99mTc oder 68Ga als nuklearmedizinischen Tracer verwendet. Die untersuchten Schimmelpilze zeigten dabei eine zeit- und dosis-abhängige Aufnahme der Tracer, während bakteriell infizierte Proben nicht detektiert wurden. Die erhobenen Daten dokumentieren ein vielversprechendes Potenzial von Amphotericin B-basierten Tracer, das in zukünftigen in vivo Studien weiter evaluiert werden sollte.
Gait Initiation in Parkinson’s Disease: Impact of Dopamine Depletion and Initial Stance Condition
(2020)
Postural instability, in particular at gait initiation (GI), and resulting falls are a major determinant of poor quality of life in subjects with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Still, the contribution of the basal ganglia and dopamine on the feedforward postural control associated with this motor task is poorly known. In addition, the influence of anthropometric measures (AM) and initial stance condition on GI has never been consistently assessed. The biomechanical resultants of anticipatory postural adjustments contributing to GI [imbalance (IMB), unloading (UNL), and stepping phase) were studied in 26 unmedicated subjects with idiopathic PD and in 27 healthy subjects. A subset of 13 patients was analyzed under standardized medication conditions and the striatal dopaminergic innervation was studied in 22 patients using FP-CIT and SPECT. People with PD showed a significant reduction in center of pressure (CoP) displacement and velocity during the IMB phase, reduced first step length and velocity, and decreased velocity and acceleration of the center of mass (CoM) at toe off of the stance foot. All these measurements correlated with the dopaminergic innervation of the putamen and substantially improved with levodopa. These results were not influenced by anthropometric parameters or by the initial stance condition. In contrast, most of the measurements of the UNL phase were influenced by the foot placement and did not correlate with putaminal dopaminergic innervation. Our results suggest a significant role of dopamine and the putamen particularly in the elaboration of the IMB phase of anticipatory postural adjustments and in the execution of the first step. The basal ganglia circuitry may contribute to defining the optimal referent body configuration for a proper initiation of gait and possibly gait adaptation to the environment.
Background:
Recent decades have seen a rise in the incidence of well-differentiated (mainly papillary) thyroid carcinoma around the world. In Germany, the age-adjusted incidence of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in 2010 was 3.5 per 100 000 men and 8.7 per 100 000 women per year.
Method:
This review is based on randomized, controlled trials and multicenter trials on the treatment of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma that were retrieved by a selective literature search, as well as on three updated guidelines issued in the past two years.
Results:
The recommended extent of surgical resection depends on whether the tumor is classified as low-risk or high-risk, so that papillary microcar cinomas, which carry a highly favorable prognosis, will not be overtreated. More than 90% of localized, well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas can be cured with a combination of surgery and radioactive iodine therapy. Radio active iodine therapy is also effective in the treatment of well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas with distant metastases, yielding a 10-year survival rate of 90%, as long as there is good iodine uptake and the tumor goes into remission after treatment; otherwise, the 10-year survival rate is only 10%. In the past two years, better treatment options have become available for radioactive-iodine-resistant thyroid carcinoma. Phase 3 studies of two different tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown that either one can markedly prolong progression-free survival, but not overall survival. Their more common clinically significant side effects are hand-foot syndrome, hypertension, diarrhea, proteinuria, and weight loss.
Conclusion:
Slow tumor growth, good resectability, and susceptibility to radioactive iodine therapy lend a favorable prognosis to most cases of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The treatment should be risk-adjusted and interdisciplinary, in accordance with the current treatment guidelines. Even metastatic thyroid carcinoma has a favorable prognosis as long as there is good iodine uptake. The newly available medical treatment options for radioactive-iodine-resistant disease need to be further studied.
CXCR4 is a G-protein-coupled receptor that mediates recruitment of blood cells toward its ligand SDF-1. In cancer, high CXCR4 expression is frequently associated with tumor dissemination andpoor prognosis. We evaluated the novel CXCR4 probe [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor for invivo mapping of CXCR4 expression density in mice xenografted with human CXCR4-positive MM cell lines and patients with advanced MM by means of positron emission tomography (PET). [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET provided images with excellent specificity and contrast. In 10 of 14 patients with advanced MM [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT scans revealed MM manifestations, whereas only nine of 14 standard [\(^{18}\)F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT scans were rated visually positive. Assessment of blood counts and standard CD34\(^{+}\) flow cytometry did not reveal significant blood count changes associated with tracer application. Based on these highly encouraging data on clinical PET imaging of CXCR4 expression in a cohort of MM patients, we conclude that [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET opens a broad field for clinical investigations on CXCR4 expression and for CXCR4-directed therapeutic approaches in MM and other diseases.
Oncogenic transformation of lung epithelial cells is a multistep process, frequently starting with the inactivation of tumour suppressors and subsequent development of activating mutations in proto-oncogenes, such as members of the PI3K or MAPK families. Cells undergoing transformation have to adjust to changes, including altered metabolic requirements. This is achieved, in part, by modulating the protein abundance of transcription factors. Here, we report that the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 28 (USP28) enables oncogenic reprogramming by regulating the protein abundance of proto-oncogenes such as c-JUN, c-MYC, NOTCH and ∆NP63 at early stages of malignant transformation. USP28 levels are increased in cancer compared with in normal cells due to a feed-forward loop, driven by increased amounts of oncogenic transcription factors such as c-MYC and c-JUN. Irrespective of oncogenic driver, interference with USP28 abundance or activity suppresses growth and survival of transformed lung cells. Furthermore, inhibition of USP28 via a small-molecule inhibitor resets the proteome of transformed cells towards a ‘premalignant’ state, and its inhibition synergizes with clinically established compounds used to target EGFR\(^{L858R}\)-, BRAF\(^{V600E}\)- or PI3K\(^{H1047R}\)-driven tumour cells. Targeting USP28 protein abundance at an early stage via inhibition of its activity is therefore a feasible strategy for the treatment of early-stage lung tumours, and the observed synergism with current standard-of-care inhibitors holds the potential for improved targeting of established tumours.
Due to the low frequency of abnormalities affecting the spleen, this organ is often overlooked during radiological examinations. Here, we report on the unexpected finding, that the spleen signal on diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) is associated with clinical parameters in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias. Methods: We investigated the spleen signal on DW-MRI together with clinical and molecular parameters in 295 transplant-eligible newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) patients and in 72 cases with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Results: Usually, the spleen is the abdominal organ with the highest intensities on DW-MRI. Yet, significant signal loss on DW-MRI images was seen in 71 of 295 (24%) NDMM patients. This phenomenon was associated with the level of bone marrow plasmacytosis (P=1x10(-10)) and International Staging System 3 (P=0.0001) but not with gain(1q), and del(17p) or plasma cell gene signatures. The signal was preserved in 72 individuals with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and generally re-appeared in MM patients responding to treatment, suggesting that lack of signal reflects increased tumor burden. While absence of spleen signal in MM patients with high risk disease defined a subgroup with very poor outcome, re-appearance of the spleen signal after autologous stem cell transplantation was seen in patients with improved outcome. Our preliminary observation suggests that extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen is a factor that modifies the DW-MRI signal of this organ. Conclusions: The DW-MRI spleen signal is a promising marker for tumor load and provides prognostic information in MM.
The risk of developing thyroid cancer increases considerably after exposure to external or internal radiation, especially in children below the age of 10. After the Chernobyl reactor accident, the yearly incidence of childhood thyroid cancer in Belarus increased to approximately 40 per 1.000.000 in girls and to roughly 20 per 1.000.000 in boys compared to approximately 0.5 cases per 1.000.000 prior to the accident. Typically, young children with thyroid cancer after radiation exposure present in ≈95% of the cases as papillary cancers, in ≈50% as invasive tumors growing outside the thyroid capsule, in ≈65% with lymph node metastases and in ≈15% with distant metastases. A joint Belarusian-German project starting in April 1993 that combined treatment with surgery and radioiodine was organized in 237 selected children from Belarus who were exposed to the Chernobyl fallout and had advanced stages of thyroid cancer. The study group included 141 girls and 96 boys. Their median age at the time of the accident was 1.7 years; whereas the median age at the time of diagnosis was 12.4 years. With the exception of two cases with follicular histology, the majority of the patients had been diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancers. In 63%, the tumor had grown outside the thyroid capsule and invaded the tissue of the neck (pT4). Nearly all of the selected cases (96%) showed-up with lymph node metastases (pN1) and 43% of the patients with distant metastases mainly to the lungs (pM1). In 58% of the children, complete remissions of thyroid cancer could be achieved until December 31st 2010 and in 34% of the children, stable partial remissions; in the remaining 8% of the patients, partial remissions were observed. The risk of radiation-induced thyroid cancer increased considerably in children and adolescents who were affected by the Chernobyl reactor accident. In spite of the fact, that thyroid cancers in young children seem to behave more aggressively than in older patients, the results of combined treatment with thyroidectomy, radioiodine therapy and thyroid hormone replacement are excellent.
The thyroid gland is among the organs at the greatest risk of cancer from ionizing radiation. Epidemiological evidence from survivors of radiation therapy, atomic bombing, and the Chernobyl reactor accident, clearly shows that radiation exposure in childhood can cause thyroid cancer and benign thyroid nodules. Radiation exposure also may induce hypothyroidism and autoimmune reactions against the thyroid, but these effects are less well-documented. The literature includes only a few, methodologically weak animal studies regarding genetic/molecular mechanisms underlying hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity after radiation exposure. Rather, evidence about radiation-induced hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity derives mainly from follow-up studies in patients treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or iodine-131, and from epidemiological studies in the atomic bombing or nuclear accident survivors. Historically, hypothyroidism after external irradiation of the thyroid in adulthood was considered not to develop below a 10–20 Gy dose threshold. Newer data suggest a 10 Gy threshold after EBRT. By contrast, data from patients after iodine-131 “internal radiation therapy” of Graves´ disease indicate that hypothyroidism rarely occurs below thyroid doses of 50 Gy. Studies in children affected by the Chernobyl accident indicate that the dose threshold for hypothyroidism may be considerably lower, 3–5 Gy, aligning with observations in A-bomb survivors exposed as children. The reasons for these dose differences in radiosensitivity are not fully understood. Other important questions about the development of hypothyroidism after radiation exposure e.g., in utero, about the interaction between autoimmunity and hypofunction, and about the different effects of internal and external irradiation still must be answered.
Published studies on the risk of radiation-induced second primary malignancy (SPM) after radioiodine treatment (RAI) of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) refer mainly to patients treated as middle-aged or older adults and are not easily generalizable to those treated at a younger age. Here we review available literature on the risk of breast cancer as an SPM after RAI of DTC with a focus on females undergoing such treatment in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. Additionally, we report the results of a preliminary international survey of patient registries from academic tertiary referral centers specializing in pediatric DTC. The survey sought to evaluate the availability of sufficient patient data for a potential international multicenter observational case–control study of females with DTC given RAI at an early age. Our literature review identified a bi-directional association of DTC and breast cancer. The general breast cancer risk in adult DTC survivors is low, ~2%, slightly higher in females than in males, but presumably lower, not higher, in those diagnosed as children or adolescents than in those diagnosed at older ages. RAI presumably does not substantially influence breast cancer risk after DTC. However, data from patients given RAI at young ages are sparse and insufficient to make definitive conclusions regarding age dependence of the risk of breast cancer as a SPM after RAI of DTC. The preliminary analysis of data from 10 thyroid cancer registries worldwide, including altogether 6,449 patients given RAI for DTC and 1,116 controls, i.e., patients not given RAI, did not show a significant increase of breast cancer incidence after RAI. However, the numbers of cases and controls were insufficient to draw statistically reliable conclusions, and the proportion of those receiving RAI at the earliest ages was too low.In conclusion, a potential international multicenter study of female patients undergoing RAI of DTC as children, adolescents, or young adults, with a sufficient sample size, is feasible. However, breast cancer screening of a larger cohort of DTC patients is not unproblematic for ethical reasons, due to the likely, at most slightly, increased risk of breast cancer post-RAI and the expected ~10% false-positivity rate which potentially produced substantial “misdiagnosis.”
Zielsetzung: Zur Therapieentscheidung bei Osteoporose stehen mehrere Algorithmen basierend auf klinischen Risikofaktoren mit oder ohne Berücksichtigung der Knochendichte zur Verfügung. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist der Vergleich zwischen dem WHO FRAX-Algorithmus und einem von der DVO (Dachverband Osteologie) entwickelten Algorithmus hinsichtlich der Entscheidung für eine Osteoporose-spezifische Therapie.
Methoden: Insgesamt wurden 300 konsekutive Patienten (231 Frauen, 69 Männer, im Alter von 40-88 Jahren) in die Studie eingeschlossen, bei denen mit dualer-Röntgen-Absorptiometrie (DXA) am Femurhals und der lumbalen Wirbelsäule und mit peripherer quantitativer Computertomographie (pQCT) am distalen Radius die Knochendichte gemessen wurde. Mit dem FRAX-Rechner wurde unter Berücksichtigung von 12 klinischen Risikofaktoren und der Knochendichte am Femurhals die 10-Jahres-Frakturwahrscheinlichkeit für eine Hüftfraktur und eine größere osteoporotische Fraktur ermittelt. Analog dazu erfolgte mit dem DVO-Algorithmus anhand von 21 klinischen Risikofaktoren und des T-Scores am Femurhals oder der lumbalen Wirbelsäule die Bestimmung einer Therapieempfehlung ja/nein. Odds-Ratios zur Beurteilung der relativen Einflussstärke der einzelnen Risikofaktoren (CRFs) wurden mit Hilfe der multivariaten logistischen Regressionsanalyse berechnet. Der McNemar-Test kam zur Anwendung, um signifikante Unterschiede in der Häufigkeitsverteilung von Patienten mit positiver Therapieempfehlung bei FRAX und DVO zu ermitteln.
Ergebnisse: Beim Vergleich des Gesamtkollektivs zeigte sich ein statistisch signifikanter Unterschied (p<0.01) hinsichtlich der Anzahl der Patienten mit Empfehlung zur Therapie: FRAX 12% (36 absolut), DVO 30,3% (91 absolut). Das Gleiche gilt für die relative Einflussstärke der CRFs, ausgedrückt als Odds Ratio (OR): CRFs mit dem stärkstem Einfluss auf die Therapieentscheidung bei FRAX: Vorausgehende Fraktur (OR 48), Hüftfraktur der Eltern (OR 36,6) und Glukokortikoide (OR 34,4). Die entsprechenden CRFs bei DVO unter Einschluss des T-Scores am Femur: Glukokortikoide (OR 120), Rheumatoide Arthritis (29,3) und häufige Stürze (OR 16). Die einflussreichsten CRFs bei DVO unter Berücksichtigung des T-Scores an der LWS: TSH< 0,3mU/I (OR 660,6), Rheumatoide Arthritis (OR 440) und multiple Stürze (OR 250,8).
Schlussfolgerung: FRAX und DVO liefern signifikant unterschiedliche Ergebnisse sowohl im Hinblick auf die Anzahl der Patienten mit Therapieempfehlung als auch was die Einflussstärke der berücksichtigten CRFs betrifft. Beim DVO-Algorithmus werden Risikofaktoren wie ein supprimierter TSH-Wert (Schilddrüsenstimulierendes Hormon) einbezogen, deren Evidenz nicht eindeutig geklärt ist, die aber starken Einfluss auf die Therapieentscheidung gewinnen, wenn man beim DVO-Algorithmus den T-Score an der LWS mitberücksichtigt.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to compare the wave‐CAIPI (controlled aliasing in parallel imaging) trajectory to the Cartesian sampling for accelerated free‐breathing 4D lung MRI.
Methods
The wave‐CAIPI k‐space trajectory was implemented in a respiratory self‐gated 3D spoiled gradient echo pulse sequence. Trajectory correction applying the gradient system transfer function was used, and images were reconstructed using an iterative conjugate gradient SENSE (CG SENSE) algorithm. Five healthy volunteers and one patient with squamous cell carcinoma in the lung were examined on a clinical 3T scanner, using both sampling schemes. For quantitative comparison of wave‐CAIPI and standard Cartesian imaging, the normalized mutual information and the RMS error between retrospectively accelerated acquisitions and their respective references were calculated. The SNR ratios were investigated in a phantom study.
Results
The obtained normalized mutual information values indicate a lower information loss due to acceleration for the wave‐CAIPI approach. Average normalized mutual information values of the wave‐CAIPI acquisitions were 10% higher, compared with Cartesian sampling. Furthermore, the RMS error of the wave‐CAIPI technique was lower by 19% and the SNR was higher by 14%. Especially for short acquisition times (down to 1 minute), the undersampled Cartesian images showed an increased artifact level, compared with wave‐CAIPI.
Conclusion
The application of the wave‐CAIPI technique to 4D lung MRI reduces undersampling artifacts, in comparison to a Cartesian acquisition of the same scan time. The benefit of wave‐CAIPI sampling can therefore be traded for shorter examinations, or enhancing image quality of undersampled 4D lung acquisitions, keeping the scan time constant.
Die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten des metastasierten Prostatakarzinoms (Pca) haben sich durch die neuen Substanzen Docetaxel und Abirateron deutlich verbessert.
Das prostataspezifische Membranantigen (PSMA) stellt für die Diagnose und Therapie des Pca´s einen vielversprechenden Angriffspunkt dar. PSMA wird in Prostatakarzinomzellen überexprimiert und dient als Zielstruktur für nicht-invasives bildgebendes Verfahren und Lutetium-177-PSMA-Radioligandentherapie als Therapieoption.
Der CXCR4-Rezeptor wird an unterschiedlichen Zelltypen und Organen exprimiert. Seine Überexpression wird mit einer Metastasierung und schlechter Prognose assoziiert.
Gallium-68-PSMA PET/CT liefert genaue Kenntnisse bezüglich Ausbreitung und Fortschreiten des Tumorgeschehens.
Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Zusammenhänge zwischen Expression von PSMA und CXCR4 in Verbindung mit etablierten Therapeutika und versucht Wege aufzuzeichnen, welche durch Erhöhung der PSMA-Expression zur verbesserten Sensitivität des PSMA PET/CT führen könnten, wodurch der personalisierte Therapieansatz weiter optimiert werden kann.
Die präklinische Forschung stellt den ersten wichtigen Meilenstein in der Klärung und Untersuchung klinisch-relevanter Erkrankungen dar. Darüber hinaus unterstützt die präklinische Forschung erheblich die Entwicklung von Therapien. Die Kleintier-Positronenemissionstomographie (µ-PET) spielt dabei eine wichtige Rolle, da sie in der Lage ist, funktionelle, physiologische und biochemische Prozesse in vivo darzustellen und zu quantifizieren. Trotz diverser etablierter PET-Datenauswertungs-Programme bleibt die Analyse von in vivo akquirierten Bilddaten aufgrund der Vielzahl an medizinischen Fragestellungen, der Komplexität der Krankheitsbilder, sowie der Etablierung neuer Radiotracer weiterhin eine große Herausforderung in der Medizin. Ziel dieser Doktorarbeit ist es daher, ein geeignetes, brauchbares Auswertungstool für eine einfache und effiziente Analyse von akquirierten µ-PET-Daten zu entwickeln und zu etablieren, welches das Spektrum bereits vorhandener Programme erweitert. Das entwickelte nuklearmedizinische Datenverarbeitungs-Analyseprogramm (engl. nuclear medicine data processing analysis tool, NU_DPA) wurde in Matlab implementiert und anhand dreier präklinischer Versuchs- bzw. Testreihen erprobt und etabliert. Bei den Datenreihen handelt es sich um µ-PET-Datensätze verschiedener Schlaganfall-Rattenhirnmodelle unter Verwendung folgender Radiotracer. Zum einen die im Gehirn homogen akkumulierende 2-[18F]Fluor-2-desoxy-glukose ([18F]FDG) zum anderen das spezifisch an P-Selektin anreichernde [68Ga]Fucoidan.
Das NU_DPA umfasst die automatische Selektion des Zielvolumens (volume-of-interest, VOI) aus dem vollständigen PET-Bild und die anschließende Ausrichtung des VOI mit Hilfe eines PET-Templates (gemittelter PET-Datensatz). Dieses PET Template wird aus den eigenen akquirierten PET-Daten erstellt. Durch das Einbinden eines geeigneten anatomischen MRT-Atlas‘ (anpassbar) können die ausgerichteten PET-Daten einzelnen, Atlas-spezifischen Teilregionen zugeordnet werden. Eine solche Subklassifikation des VOI erlaubt eine genauere Betrachtung und Auswertung der Radiotracer-Akkumulation.
Des Weiteren bietet NU_DPA die Möglichkeit einer semiquantitativen Auswertung der PET-Bilddaten anhand von drei unterschiedlichen Parametern, der normalisierten Aktivität, dem Standardized Uptake Value und der Uptake Ratio. Durch die Matlab-integrierten Statistik-Algorithmen ist zusätzlich eine Möglichkeit der statistischen Auswertung der zuvor berechneten Parameter gegeben. Das NU_DPA-Programm stellt somit ein semi-automatisiertes Datenauswertungs-Programm dar, das sowohl die Registrierung als auch die semiquantitative Auswertung von PET-Bilddaten innerhalb einer Versuchsreihe ermöglicht und bereits erfolgreich für die Radiotracer [18F]FDG und [68Ga]Fucoidan in Tiermodellen getestet wurde. Nach derzeitigem Kenntnisstand ist kein Datenauswertungs-Programm bekannt, das PET-Bilddaten unter Verwendung des hinzugefügten Atlas‘ semi-automatisiert analysieren kann und potenziell für homogene und Target-spezifisch akkumulierende Radiotracer geeignet ist.
Analysis of cerebral glucose metabolism following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage over 7 days
(2023)
Little is known about changes in brain metabolism following SAH, possibly leading towards secondary brain damage. Despite sustained progress in the last decade, analysis of in vivo acquired data still remains challenging. The present interdisciplinary study uses a semi-automated data analysis tool analyzing imaging data independently from the administrated radiotracer. The uptake of 2-[18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose ([\(^{18}\)F]FDG) was evaluated in different brain regions in 14 male Sprague–Dawley rats, randomized into two groups: (1) SAH induced by the endovascular filament model and (2) sham operated controls. Serial [\(^{18}\)F]FDG-PET measurements were carried out. Quantitative image analysis was performed by uptake ratio using a self-developed MRI-template based data analysis tool. SAH animals showed significantly higher [\(^{18}\)F]FDG accumulation in gray matter, neocortex and olfactory system as compared to animals of the sham group, while white matter and basal forebrain region showed significant reduced tracer accumulation in SAH animals. All significant metabolic changes were visualized from 3 h, over 24 h (day 1), day 4 and day 7 following SAH/sham operation. This [\(^{18}\)F]FDG-PET study provides important insights into glucose metabolism alterations following SAH—for the first time in different brain regions and up to day 7 during course of disease.
AimIn PET imaging, the different types of radiotracers and accumulations, as well as the diversity of disease patterns, make the analysis of molecular imaging data acquired in vivo challenging. Here, we evaluate and validate a semi-automated MRI template-based data analysis tool that allows preclinical PET images to be aligned to a self-created PET template. Based on the user-defined volume-of-interest (VOI), image data can then be evaluated using three different semi-quantitative parameters: normalized activity, standardized uptake value, and uptake ratio.
Materials and MethodsThe nuclear medicine Data Processing Analysis tool (NU_DPA) was implemented in Matlab. Testing and validation of the tool was performed using two types of radiotracers in different kinds of stroke-related brain diseases in rat models. The radiotracers used are 2-[\(^{18}\)F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ([\(^{18}\)F]FDG), a metabol\(^{68}\)Ga]Ga-Fucoidan, a target-selective radioligand specifically binding to p-selectin. After manual image import, the NU_DPA tool automatically creates an averaged PET template out of the acquired PET images, to which all PET images are then aligned onto. The added MRI template-based information, resized to the lower PET resolution, defines the VOI and also allows a precise subdivision of the VOI into individual sub-regions. The aligned PET images can then be evaluated semi-quantitatively for all regions defined in the MRI atlas. In addition, a statistical analysis and evaluation of the semi-quantitative parameters can then be performed in the NU_DPA tool.
ResultsUsing ischemic stroke data in Wistar rats as an example, the statistical analysis of the tool should be demonstrated. In this [\(^{18}\)F]FDG-PET experiment, three different experimental states were compared: healthy control state, ischemic stroke without electrical stimulation, ischemic stroke with electrical stimulation. Thereby, statistical data evaluation using the NU_DPA tool showed that the glucose metabolism in a photothrombotic lesion can be influenced by electrical stimulation.
ConclusionOur NU_DPA tool allows a very flexible data evaluation of small animal PET data in vivo including statistical data evaluation. Using the radiotracers [\(^{18}\)F]FDG and [\(^{68}\)Ga]Ga-Fucoidan, it was shown that the semi-automatic MRI-template based data analysis of the NU_DPA tool is potentially suitable for both metabolic radiotracers as well as target-selective radiotracers.
Ziel: Studie zur Klärung der Veränderung der intrathyreoidalen Iodkonzentration nach intravenöser Applikation nicht-ionischer Röntgenkontrastmittel (Iomeprol-300; KM) sowie der Wirksamkeit einer Prophylaxe mit Perchlorat (1380 mg/d) zur Blockade der thyreoidalen Iodaufnahme. Probanden und Methoden: 12 Probanden erhielten 100 ml Iomeprol-300 intravenös, dazu zusätzlich o.g. Perchloratprophylaxe. 12 weiteren Probanden wurde lediglich 100 ml Iomeprol-300 intravenös appliziert. Vor sowie 0,2, 1, 3, 5, 7, 24, 48, 72 und 96 Stunden nach Kontrastmittelgabe wurde die intrathyreoidale Iodkonzentration mittels Röntgenfluoreszenzanalyse bestimmt. Ergebnisse, Schlussfolgerung: Unter Perchlorat veränderte sich die intrathyreodiale Iodkonzentration nicht. Ohne Perchloratprophylaxe sinkt der Iodgehalt der Schilddrüse bei einer initial hohen intrathyreoidalen Iodkonzentration nach Kontrastmittelgabe ab (722 +/- 66 µg/ml vor, 670 +/- 65 µg/ml nach KM; p=0,046), bei initial niedriger Konzentration wird Iod in die Schilddrüse eingelagert (327 +/- 40 µg/ml vor, 381 +/- 25 µg/ml nach KM; p=0,046). Der Effekt, obwohl signifikant, scheint zu gering, um für einen Patienten mit gesunder Schilddrüse die Gefahr einer iodinduzierten Funktionsstörung der Schilddrüse verursachen zu können und kann durch die tägliche Gabe von 1,4 g Perchlorat verhindert werden.
Background: Cancer patients are increasingly treated with alpha-particle-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. At the subcellular level, alpha particles induce densely spaced ionizations and molecular damage. Induction of DNA lesions, especially clustered DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), threatens a cell's survival. Currently, it is under debate to what extent the spatial topology of the damaged chromatin regions and the repair protein arrangements are contributing. Methods: Super-resolution light microscopy (SMLM) in combination with cluster analysis of single molecule signal-point density regions of DSB repair markers was applied to investigate the nano-structure of DNA damage foci tracks of Ra-223 in-solution irradiated leukocytes. Results: Alpha-damaged chromatin tracks were efficiently outlined by γ-H2AX that formed large (super) foci composed of numerous 60–80 nm-sized nano-foci. Alpha damage tracks contained 60–70% of all γ-H2AX point signals in a nucleus, while less than 30% of 53BP1, MRE11 or p-ATM signals were located inside γ-H2AX damage tracks. MRE11 and p-ATM protein fluorescent tags formed focal nano-clusters of about 20 nm peak size. There were, on average, 12 (±9) MRE11 nanoclusters in a typical γ-H2AX-marked alpha track, suggesting a minimal number of MRE11-processed DSBs per track. Our SMLM data suggest regularly arranged nano-structures during DNA repair in the damaged chromatin domain.
Nach einem Myokardinfarkt setzen Wundheilungsprozesse ein, um die Durchblutung wieder herzustellen und nekrotisches Muskelgewebe durch Narbengewebe zu ersetzen. Die Einsprossung neuer Kapillaren vom bestehenden Gefäßnetz aus wird als Angiogenese bezeichnet. Das dabei vermehrt exprimierte proteolytische Enzym Aminopeptidase N (APN) spielt eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Einsprossung von Endothelzellen. Beim kardialen Remodeling werden abgestorbene Myozyten mithilfe der Einwanderung von Fibroblasten durch Binde- oder Stützgewebe ersetzt, dabei übernimmt das Fibroblasten-Aktivierungs-Protein alpha (FAP) Aufgaben bei der Proliferation und Fortbewegung von Fibroblasten.
Durch ihre erhöhte Expression bei den Wundheilungs- und Remodelingprozessen nach einem Herzinfarkt stellen die Metalloprotease APN und die Serinprotease FAP molekulare Targets für die Diagnostik und Therapie dar. Als Diagnosemethode besonders geeignet ist die Positronen-Emissions-Tomographie (PET), die es ermöglicht, biochemische Prozesse in Echtzeit im zu untersuchenden Organismus zu visualisieren und zu quantifizieren. Eine als Radiopharmakon oder Tracer bezeichnete biochemische Sonde kann im Falle eines Enzyms dessen radioaktiv markiertes Substrat oder ein Inhibitor sein.
Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, spezifische APN- und FAP-affine Tracer für die nicht-invasive Untersuchung der APN- und FAP-Expression mittels PET zu entwickeln und dadurch die Rolle von APN und FAP bei Remodelingprozessen nach Myokardinfarkt besser verstehen bzw. klären zu können.
Um die Protease APN mittels PET zu untersuchen, wurden die für APN affine Verbindung NOTA-NGR (Komplexbildner + cyclisches Peptid inkl. Asparagin-Glycin-Arginin) mit dem Positronen-emittierenden Nuklid Gallium-68 (68Ga) markiert. Das Potential von 68Ga-NOTA-NGR als PET-Tracer wurde in vivo am Infarktmodell mittels Kleintier-PET untersucht und mit 68Ga-NOTA-RGD, einem zur Visualisierung des neo-angiogenetischen alphavbeta3-Integrins etablierten Tracer, verglichen. Untersuchungen ergaben, dass 68Ga-NOTA-NGR einen vielversprechenden neuen PET-Tracer für die Visualisierung und Quantifizierung der APN-Expression im Rahmen der Angiogenese nach einem Myokardinfarkt darstellt. 68Ga-NOTA-NGR zeigte eine erhöhte Aufnahme im Bereich des Myokardinfarkts im Sinne einer vermehrten Angiogenese. Die Aufnahme des Tracers in infarzierten Arealen war quantitativ höher als in der Untersuchung mit 68Ga-NOTA-RGD. In Autoradiographie-Experimenten wurde 68Ga-NOTA-NGR ex vivo untersucht. Die Akkumulation von 68Ga-NOTA-NGR im ischämischen Bereich war deutlich höher als im gesunden Myokard. Der Nachweis der unterschiedlichen Bereiche des Herzens erfolgte mit HE-Färbung.
Die Expression von APN wurde immunohistochemisch mittels spezifischer Antikörper bestätigt. Zum Vergleich wurden ebenso einige andere an der Angiogenese beteiligte Faktoren untersucht. APN stellte sich auch hier als geeignetes Target zum Nachweis der Angiogenese heraus.
Um die Protease FAP mittels PET zu untersuchen, wurden eine Reihe peptidomimetischer Inhibitoren, die die Erkennungssequenz Glycin-Prolin mit einer Carbonitril-Gruppe als elektrophiler Einheit zur kovalent-reversiblen Hemmung des Enzyms enthalten, entwickelt. Ausgehend vom N-Acetylglycin-pyrrolidin-(2S)-carbonitril als Leitstruktur wurden Inhibitoren und Vorstufen zur Radiomarkierung inkl. verschieden substituierter Benzoesäuren dargestellt. Zusätzlich wurden noch bereits bekannte Inhibitoren synthetisiert, die zum Vergleich in den Enzymassays dienten.
Drei Verbindungen zeigten gute inhibitorische Wirkung an FAP und außerdem Selektivität gegenüber DPP IV. Keine der entwickelten Verbindungen zeigte einen KI-Wert im nanomolaren Bereich, erforderlich für einen potentiellen Tracer zur in-vivo-Visualisierung einer Enzymexpression mittels PET.
Um die Inhibitoren mit der besten Hemmung an FAP zum PET-Tracer weiterzuentwickeln, mussten sie mit einem Positronenemitter markiert werden. Die Markierung erfolgte über Isotopenaustausch, bei dem nicht-radioaktives Iod am aromatischen Ring des Precursors durch das radioaktive Iod-124 (124I) substituiert wurde. Es konnten dadurch die radioiodierten Verbindungen 1-(2-[124I]Iodhippursäure)-pyrrolidin-(2S)-carbonitril und 1-(4-[124I]Iod-hippursäure)-pyrrolidin-(2S)-carbonitril synthetisiert werden.
Trotz der relativ niedrigen Affinität für FAP wurde das neue 1-(2-[124I]Iodhippursäure)-pyrrolidin-(2S)-carbonitril in Ratten am Infarktmodell mittels Kleintier-PET getestet. Die Lage der ischämischen Zone wurde im Anschluss durch HE-Färbung bestimmt. In vivo zeigte sich eine nur sehr geringe Aufnahme des Radiopharmakons in der ischämischen Zone des Myokards. Damit ist 1-(2-[124I]Iod-hippursäure)-pyrrolidin-(2S)-carbonitril kein für den gewünschten Zweck geeigneter PET-Tracer. Nichtsdestotrotz war der Ansatz vielversprechend und es wurde zum ersten Mal ein PET-Tracer dieser Art zur Untersuchung des FAP im Myokardinfarkt hergestellt.
The objective of this prospective observational controlled study was to evaluate potential effects and dose-response relationship of LT4 administration on BMD, parameters of bone and muscle strength, and biochemical variables of calcium homoeostasis and bone turnover.Ninety-seven men and pre-menopausal women after near total thyroidectomy and ¹³¹I remnant ablation for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma or after strumectomy for non-toxic goitre were stratified by degree of TSH suppression and by gender in three subgroups: 28 men and 46 women on LT4 suppressive treatment and 23 women on LT4 replacement therapy. Patients were matched for age, gender and BMI to 89 healthy controls with a negative history of thyroid disease. Patients and controls were followed and studied for a mean time of 1.1±0.2 years. Peripheral volumetric total and trabecular BMD as well as bone strength (pQCT) were determined at the ultra-distal radius. Central areal BMD (DXA) was measured at the lumbar spine, left and right femoral neck as well as left and right total hip. Maximum grip strength (dynamometer) of the non-dominant forearm and serum markers of calcium and bone metabolism were assessed. BMD at the axial skeleton and muscle strength were not impaired by LT4 medication irrespective of gender, underlying diagnosis or treatment regimen. By contrast, a general trend of inversely affected total and trabecular BMD and of decreased bone strength was detected at the ultra-distal radius. Only in women on LT4 suppressive treatment, loss of total BMD at the ultra-distal radius reached a level of high significance. In women on LT4 replacement therapy, a significant decline of maximum grip strength appeared in comparison with female controls, while appendicular total and trabecular BMD as well as bone strength remained unchanged and did not differ from respective controls. In men on LT4 suppressive treatment, greater reduction of bone strength as compared to female thyroid cancer patients was marginally significant. Calcium balance was stable and serum concentrations of bone metabolism markers levelled off or rather decreased contradicting (high turnover) bone loss. The study did not reveal any dose-related differential influence of LT4 administration either on primary or secondary study endpoints in female patients. A gender-related difference of bone strength in response to LT4 suppressive treatment might not be excluded, as male thyroid cancer patients showed greater decline of bone strength despite unaffected peripheral BMD and muscle strength. In conclusion, there was only little evidence of adverse LT4 effects. For the most part, LT4 administration irrespective of degree of TSH suppression was not associated with low or accelerated loss of BMD at the peripheral and central skeleton and loss of bone and muscle strength, a finding also confirmed biochemically. The ultra-distal radius as a non-weight bearing skeletal site might be at risk for BMD reduction. According to the results, pre-menopausal women on LT4 suppressive therapy might be at risk of bone loss. The more complex approach of this study also took into account biomechanical qualities of bone material as well as structural and geometrical characteristics of bone architecture implying a causal muscle-bone interrelationship.