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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.
(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.
Einleitung: Die linksventrikuläre diastolische Dysfunktion (LVDD) ist bei Diabetikern noch vor Entwicklung einer klinisch apparenten Herzinsuffizienz eines der ersten Anzeichen einer kardialen Beteiligung. Daher soll in dieser Studie untersucht werden, ob die LVDD mit ECG-gated F-18-FDG PET in einem Diabetes-Rattenmodell dargestellt werden kann.
Methodik: Es wurden F-18-FDG PET Scans in einem Typ-2-Diabetes Rattenmodell (ZDF fa/fa, n=6) und in ZL Kontrollen (n=6) vorgenommen (Alter, jeweils 13 Wochen). Unter Hyperinsulinemic-Euglycemic Clamp-Technik wurden 37 MBq 18F-FDG über die Schwanzvene appliziert. 15-35 Minuten nach Tracergabe wurden mittels eines Kleintier-PET-Scanners sowie unter EKG-Ableitung PET Scans angefertigt (16 frames/cardiac cycle). Die linksventrikuläre Ejektionsfraktion (EF) und die Peak Füllrate (PFR) wurden mittels einer geeigneten Software (Heart Function View) gemessen, wobei die Software an die Größe des Rattenherzes angepasst wurde.
Ergebnisse: Im Alter von 13 Wochen entwickeln ZDF Diabetes-Ratten eine im Vergleich zu Kontrolltieren eine signifikante myokardiale Hypertrophie, bestätigt durch post-mortem Analyse des Herzgewichtes (994±78mg vs. 871±44mg in ZDF Diabetes-Ratten vs. ZL Kontrollen, p<0.01). ECG-gated PET zeigte eine signifikante Abnahme der LV diastolischen PFR (10.4±0.5 vs. 11.8±0.4 EDV/sec in ZDF Diabetes-Ratten vs. ZL Kontrollen, p<0.001), jedoch zeigte sich kein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen LVEF und der Herzfrequenz in den untersuchten ZDF Diabetes-Ratten und Kontrollen (LVEF: 60.0±4.5 vs. 63.7±4.1%, n.s. und HR: 305±25 vs. 323±24 bpm, n.s.).
Schlussfolgerung: Im Diabetes-Ratten-Modell kann unter Verwendung eines ECG-gated FDG-PET Protokolls die diastolische Dysfunktion als Parameter der frühen diabetischen Kardiomyopathie nachgewiesen werden.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Einleitung: Ultraschall wird seit mehr als 50 Jahren in der Medizin eingesetzt und ist mittlerweile ein unverzichtbares diagnostisches Verfahren, es erlaubt eine nicht-invasive Darstellung der Morphologie und Funktion von Organen in Echtzeit. In der Kleintierbildgebung dominieren bisher zur morphologischen Bildgebung Computertomographie (CT) und Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT). Daher wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit die Idee entwickelt, die morphologischen Informationen des 3D-Ultraschalls (3D-US) für Untersuchungen an Kleintieren zu verwenden, außerdem sollten Methoden zur multimodalen Bildgebung und Bildfusion von 3D-US und Kleintier-Positronenemissionstomographie (PET) entwickelt werden. Der Vorteil des Ultraschalls gegenüber dem Kleintier-CT liegt in der fehlenden Strahlenbelastung und der guten Verfügbarkeit, was besonders für Verlaufsstudien von Interesse ist. Methoden und Ergebnisse: Zur Bildoptimierung wurde ein Fadenphantom entwickelt, welches aufgrund der feinen Strukturen die qualitative als auch quantitative Bestimmung der Auflösung ermöglicht. Die Vorarbeiten am Fadenphantom konnten exzellent die Probleme des 3D-Ultraschalls mit der achsenabhängigen Auflösung zeigen und ermöglichten eine schnelle Beurteilung der Bildqualität. Hier bestehen Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Bewertung verschiedener Ultraschallgeräte bezüglich der Tauglichkeit für 3D-Datenaquisition. Zur reproduzierbaren Lagerung von Mäusen wurde eine Schallkopfführung ein sowohl für 3D-US als auch Kleintier-PET kompatibler Tierhalter entwickelt. Die Maus lag zur Untersuchung im angewärmten Wasserbad auf dem Tierhalter fixiert, mit Inhalationsanästhesie und Sauerstoff über eine Atemmaske versorgt. Der Zeitaufwand für eine 3D-US-Untersuchung betrug für die Akquisition etwa eine Minute. Die generierten Ultraschalldatensätze waren von guter Qualität, Strukturen wie Leber, Nieren, Blase, Wirbelsäule und Lunge konnten selbst bei kleinen Mäusen von unter 20 Gramm Körpergewicht gut dargestellt werden. Zur Validierung des 3D-Ultraschalls wurde das Volumen verschiedener Organe und Tumore bestimmt und mit dem Goldstandard verglichen. Um die Koregistrierung mit der Kleintier-PET zu ermöglichen, wurden auf dem Tierhalter drei „fiducial markers“ angebracht, die Position und Orientierung eindeutig definieren. Die Kleintier-PET-Untersuchungen wurden nach standardisierten Protokollen durchgeführt. Die anschließende Bildfusion erfolgte mittels der frei verfügbaren Software "Amide". Diskussion: Mit dem in dieser Arbeit beschriebenen Verfahren ist eine standardisierte Gewinnung von 3D-US-Datensätzen an Kleintieren möglich; zusätzlich konnte die Machbarkeit der Bildfusion mit PET-Datensätzen gezeigt werden. Der Einsatz des 3D-Ultraschalls in longitudinalen Studien, zum Beispiel zur Beurteilung der Tumorprogression, ist vorstellbar. Die Zuverlässigkeit der volumetrischen Berechnungen ist für größere Organvolumina gut, bei kleineren Volumina besteht noch Optimierungsbedarf. Weitere Verbesserungen könnten durch den Einsatz von speziellen Schallköpfen und höheren Schallfrequenzen erzielt werden.
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.
Background: Precise regional quantitative assessment of renal function is limited with conventional \(^{99m}\)Tc-labeled renal radiotracers. A recent study reported that the positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer 2-deoxy-2-(\(^{18}\)F-fluorosorbitol (\(^{18}\)F-FDS) has ideal pharmacokinetics for functional renal imaging. Furthermore, (\(^{18}\)F-FDS is available via simple reduction from routinely used 2-deoxy-2-(\(^{18}\)F-fluoro-D-glucose ((\(^{18}\)F-FDG). We aimed to further investigate the potential of (\(^{18}\)F-FDS PET as a functional renal imaging agent using rat models of kidney diseases.
Methods: Two different rat models of renal impairment were investigated: Glycerol induced acute renal failure (ARF) by intramuscular administration of glycerol in hind legs and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) by ligation of the left ureter. 24h after these treatments, dynamic 30 min 18F-FDS PET data were acquired using a dedicated small animal PET system. Urine 18F-FDS radioactivity 30 min after radiotracer injection was measured together with co-injected \(^{99m}\)Tc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (\(^{99m}\)Tc-DTPA) urine activity. Results: Dynamic PET imaging demonstrated rapid (\(^{18}\)F-FDS accumulation in the renal cortex and rapid radiotracer excretion via kidneys in control healthy rats. On the other hand, significantly delayed renal radiotracer uptake (continuous slow uptake) was observed in ARF rats and UUO-treated kidneys. Measured urine radiotracer concentrations of (\(^{18}\)F-FDS and \(^{99m}\)Tc-DTPA were well correlated (R=0.84, P<0.05).
Conclusions: (\(^{18}\)F-FDS PET demonstrated favorable kinetics for functional renal imaging in rat models of kidney diseases. Advantages of high spatiotemporal resolution of PET imaging and simple tracer production could potentially complement or replace conventional renal scintigraphy in select cases and significantly improve the diagnostic performance of renal functional imaging.
Background
CXCR4-directed positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been used as a diagnostic tool in patients with solid tumors. We aimed to determine a potential correlation between tumor burden and radiotracer accumulation in normal organs.
Methods
Ninety patients with histologically proven solid cancers underwent CXCR4-targeted [\(^{68}\)Ga]Ga-PentixaFor PET/CT. Volumes of interest (VOIs) were placed in normal organs (heart, liver, spleen, bone marrow, and kidneys) and tumor lesions. Mean standardized uptake values (SUV\(_{mean}\)) for normal organs were determined. For CXCR4-positive tumor burden, maximum SUV (SUV\(_{max}\)), tumor volume (TV), and fractional tumor activity (FTA, defined as SUV\(_{mean}\) x TV), were calculated. We used a Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (ρ) to derive correlative indices between normal organ uptake and tumor burden.
Results
Median SUV\(_{mean}\) in unaffected organs was 5.2 for the spleen (range, 2.44 – 10.55), 3.27 for the kidneys (range, 1.52 – 17.4), followed by bone marrow (1.76, range, 0.84 – 3.98), heart (1.66, range, 0.88 – 2.89), and liver (1.28, range, 0.73 – 2.45). No significant correlation between SUV\(_{max}\) in tumor lesions (ρ ≤ 0.189, P ≥ 0.07), TV (ρ ≥ -0.204, P ≥ 0.06) or FTA (ρ ≥ -0.142, P ≥ 0.18) with the investigated organs was found.
Conclusions
In patients with solid tumors imaged with [\(^{68}\)Ga]Ga-PentixaFor PET/CT, no relevant tumor sink effect was noted. This observation may be of relevance for therapies with radioactive and non-radioactive CXCR4-directed drugs, as with increasing tumor burden, the dose to normal organs may remain unchanged.
Objectives: Recently, the standardized reporting and data system for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies, termed PSMA-RADS version 1.0, was introduced. We aimed to determine the interobserver agreement for applying PSMA-RADS to imaging interpretation of 18F-DCFPyL PET examinations in a prospective setting mimicking the typical clinical work-flow at a prostate cancer referral center.
Methods: Four readers (two experienced readers (ER, > 3 years of PSMA-targeted PET interpretation experience) and two inexperienced readers (IR, < 1 year of experience)), who had all read the initial publication on PSMA-RADS 1.0, assessed 50 18F-DCFPyL PET/computed tomography (CT) studies independently. Per scan, a maximum of 5 target lesions were selected by the observers and a PSMA-RADS score for every target lesion was recorded. No specific pre-existing conditions were placed on the selection of the target lesions, although PSMA-RADS 1.0 suggests that readers focus on the most highly avid or largest lesions. An overall scan impression based on PSMA-RADS was indicated and interobserver agreement rates on a target lesion-based, on an organ-based, and on an overall PSMA-RADS score-based level were computed.
Results: The number of target lesions identified by each observer were as follows: ER 1, 123; ER 2, 134; IR 1, 123; and IR 2, 120. Among those selected target lesions, 125 were chosen by at least two individual observers (all four readers selected the same target lesion in 58/125 (46.4%) instances, three readers in 40/125 (32%) and two observers in 27/125 (21.6%) instances). The interobserver agreement for PSMA-RADS scoring among identical target lesions was good (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for four, three and two identical target lesions, ≥0.60, respectively). For lymph nodes, an excellent interobserver agreement was derived (ICC=0.79). The interobserver agreement for an overall scan impression based on PSMA-RADS was also excellent (ICC=0.84), with a significant difference for ER (ICC=0.97) vs. IR (ICC=0.74, P=0.005).
Conclusions: PSMA-RADS demonstrates a high concordance rate in this study, even among readers with different levels of experience. This suggests that PSMA-RADS can be effectively used for communication with clinicians and can be implemented in the collection of data for large prospective trials.
In diabetic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is one of the earliest signs of cardiac involvement prior to the definitive development of heart failure (HF). We aimed to explore the LV diastolic function using electrocardiography (ECG)-gated \(^{18}\)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (\(^{18}\)F-FDG PET) imaging beyond the assessment of cardiac glucose utilization in a diabetic rat model. ECG-gated \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET imaging was performed in a rat model of type 2 diabetes (ZDF fa/fa) and ZL control rats at age of 13 weeks (n=6, respectively). Under hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp to enhance cardiac activity, \(^{18}\)F-FDG was administered and subsequently, list-mode imaging using a dedicated small animal PET system with ECG signal recording was performed. List-mode data were sorted and reconstructed into tomographic images of 16 frames per cardiac cycle. Left ventricular functional parameters (systolic: LV ejection fraction (EF), heart rate (HR) vs. diastolic: peak filling rate (PFR)) were obtained using an automatic ventricular edge detection software. No significant difference in systolic function could be obtained (ZL controls vs. ZDF rats: LVEF, 62.5±4.2 vs. 59.4±4.5%; HR: 331±35 vs. 309±24 bpm; n.s., respectively). On the contrary, ECG-gated PET imaging showed a mild but significant decrease of PFR in the diabetic rats (ZL controls vs. ZDF rats: 12.1±0.8 vs. 10.2±1 Enddiastolic Volume/sec, P<0.01). Investigating a diabetic rat model, ECG-gated \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET imaging detected LV diastolic dysfunction while systolic function was still preserved. This might open avenues for an early detection of HF onset in high-risk type 2 diabetes before cardiac symptoms become apparent.
Aims: Although mortality rate is very high, diagnosis of acute myocarditis remains challenging with conventional tests. We aimed to elucidate the potential role of longitudinal 2-Deoxy-2-\(^{18}\)F-fluoro-D-glucose (\(^{18}\)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) inflammation monitoring in a rat model of experimental autoimmune myocarditis.
Methods and results: Autoimmune myocarditis was induced in Lewis rats by immunizing with porcine cardiac myosin emulsified in complete Freund’s adjuvant. Time course of disease was assessed by longitudinal \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET imaging. A correlative analysis between in- and ex vivo \(^{18}\)F-FDG signalling and macrophage infiltration using CD68 staining was conducted. Finally, immunohistochemistry analysis of the cell-adhesion markers CD34 and CD44 was performed at different disease stages determined by longitudinal \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET imaging. After immunization, myocarditis rats revealed a temporal increase in 18F-FDG uptake (peaked at week 3), which was followed by a rapid decline thereafter. Localization of CD68 positive cells was well correlated with in vivo \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET signalling (R\(^2\) = 0.92) as well as with ex vivo 18F-FDG autoradiography (R\(^2\) = 0.9, P < 0.001, respectively). CD44 positivity was primarily observed at tissue samples obtained at acute phase (i.e. at peak 18F-FDG uptake), while CD34-positive staining areas were predominantly identified in samples harvested at both sub-acute and chronic phases (i.e. at \(^{18}\)F-FDG decrease).
Conclusion: \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET imaging can provide non-invasive serial monitoring of cardiac inflammation in a rat model of acute myocarditis.
Both prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)- and somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents for staging and restaging of prostate carcinoma or neuroendocrine tumors, respectively, are seeing rapidly expanding use. In addition to diagnostic applications, both classes of radiotracers can be used to triage patients for theranostic endoradiotherapy. While interpreting PSMA- or SSTR-targeted PET/computed tomography (CT) scans, the reader has to be aware of certain pitfalls. Adding to the complexity of the interpretation of those imaging agents, both normal biodistribution, and also false-positive and -negative findings differ between PSMA- and SSTR-targeted PET radiotracers. Herein summarized under the umbrella term molecular imaging reporting and data systems (MI-RADS), two novel RADS classifications for PSMA- and SSTR-targeted PET imaging are described (PSMA- and SSTR-RADS). Both framework systems may contribute to increase the level of a reader’s confidence and to navigate the imaging interpreter through indeterminate lesions, so that appropriate workup for equivocal findings can be pursued. Notably, PSMA- and SSTR-RADS are structured in a reciprocal fashion, i.e. if the reader is familiar with one system, the other system can readily be applied as well. In the present review we will discuss the most common pitfalls on PSMA- and SSTR-targeted PET/CT, briefly introduce PSMA- and SSTR-RADS, and define a future role of the umbrella framework MI-RADS compared to other harmonization systems.
The heart failure (HF) epidemic continues to rise with coronary artery disease (CAD) as one of its main causes. Novel concepts for risk stratification to guide the referring cardiologist towards revascularization procedures are of significant value. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) agents has demonstrated high accuracy for the detection of clinically relevant stenoses. With positron emission tomography (PET) becoming more widely available, mainly due to its diagnostic performance in oncology, perfusion imaging with that modality is more practical than in the past and overcomes existing limitations of SPECT MPI. Advantages of PET include more reliable quantification of absolute myocardial blood flow, the routine use of computed tomography for attenuation correction, a higher spatiotemporal resolution and a higher count sensitivity. Current PET radiotracers such as rubidium-82 (half-life, 76 sec), oxygen-15 water (2 min) or nitrogen-13 ammonia (10 min) are labeled with radionuclides with very short half-lives, necessitating that stress imaging is performed under pharmacological vasodilator stress instead of exercise testing. However, with the introduction of novel 18F-labeled MPI PET radiotracers (half-life, 110 min), the intrinsic advantages of PET can be combined with exercise testing. Additional advantages of those radiotracers include, but are not limited to: potentially improved cost-effectiveness due to the use of pre-existing delivery systems and superior imaging qualities, mainly due to the shortest positron range among available PET MPI probes. In the present review, widely used PET MPI radiotracers will be reviewed and potential novel 18F-labeled perfusion radiotracers will be discussed.
Objective: Radiotracers targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have increasingly been recognized as showing uptake in a number of normal structures, anatomic variants, and non-prostate-cancer pathologies. We aimed to explore the frequency and degree of uptake in peripheral ganglia in patients undergoing PET with the PSMA-targeted agent \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL.
Methods: A total of 98 patients who underwent \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL PET/CT imaging were retrospectively analyzed. This included 76 men with prostate cancer (PCa) and 22 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC; 13 men, 9 women). Scans were evaluated for uptake in the cervical, stellate, celiac, lumbar and sacral ganglia. Maximum standardized uptake value corrected to body weight (SUV\(_{max}\)), and maximum standardized uptake value corrected to lean body mass (SUL\(_{max}\)) were recorded for all ganglia with visible uptake above background. Ganglia-to-background ratios were calculated by dividing the SUV\(_{max}\) and SUL\(_{max}\) values by the mean uptake in the ascending aorta (Aortamean) and the right gluteus muscle (Gluteusmean).
Results: Overall, 95 of 98 (96.9%) patients demonstrated uptake in at least one of the evaluated peripheral ganglia. With regard to the PCa cohort, the most frequent sites of radiotracer accumulation were lumbar ganglia (55/76, 72.4%), followed by the cervical ganglia (51/76, 67.1%). Bilateral uptake was found in the majority of cases [lumbar 44/55 (80%) and cervical 30/51 (58.8%)]. Additionally, discernible radiotracer uptake was recorded in 50/76 (65.8%) of the analyzed stellate ganglia and in 45/76 (59.2%) of the celiac ganglia, whereas only 5/76 (6.6%) of the sacral ganglia demonstrated \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL accumulation. Similar findings were observed for patients with RCC, with the most frequent locations of radiotracer uptake in both the lumbar (20/22, 90.9%) and cervical ganglia (19/ 22, 86.4%). No laterality preference was found in mean PSMA-ligand uptake for either the PCa or RCC cohorts.
Conclusion: As PSMA-targeted agents become more widely disseminated, the patterns of uptake in structures that are not directly relevant to patients’ cancers must be understood. This is the first systematic evaluation of the uptake of \(^{18}\)F-DCFPyL in ganglia demonstrating a general trend with a descending frequency of radiotracer accumulation in lumbar, cervical, stellate, celiac, and sacral ganglia. The underlying biology that leads to variability of PSMA-targeted radiotracers in peripheral ganglia is not currently understood, but may provide opportunities for future research.