Refine
Has Fulltext
- yes (246)
Is part of the Bibliography
- yes (246)
Year of publication
Document Type
- Journal article (179)
- Doctoral Thesis (52)
- Conference Proceeding (9)
- Preprint (6)
Keywords
- PET (35)
- Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie (27)
- positron emission tomography (27)
- prostate cancer (19)
- CXCR4 (18)
- PET/CT (16)
- theranostics (16)
- PSMA (13)
- PRRT (11)
- SPECT (11)
Institute
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin (246) (remove)
Schriftenreihe
Sonstige beteiligte Institutionen
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (18)
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (5)
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, U.S. (4)
- Department of Biomedical Imaging, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Research Center, Suita, Japan (2)
- Division of Medical Technology and Science, Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Course of Health Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita Japan (2)
- Institut for Molecular Biology and CMBI, Department of Genomics, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (2)
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Russell H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA (2)
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany (1)
- CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - the development agency of the Brazilian Federal Government (1)
- DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (1)
With an increasing variety of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic or therapeutic nuclear medicine as valuable diagnostic or treatment option, radiobiology plays an important role in supporting optimizations. This comprises particularly safety and efficacy of radionuclide therapies, specifically tailored to each patient. As absorbed dose rates and absorbed dose distributions in space and time are very different between external irradiation and systemic radionuclide exposure, distinct radiation-induced biological responses are expected in nuclear medicine, which need to be explored. This calls for a dedicated nuclear medicine radiobiology. Radiobiology findings and absorbed dose measurements will enable an improved estimation and prediction of efficacy and adverse effects. Moreover, a better understanding on the fundamental biological mechanisms underlying tumor and normal tissue responses will help to identify predictive and prognostic biomarkers as well as biomarkers for treatment follow-up. In addition, radiobiology can form the basis for the development of radiosensitizing strategies and radioprotectant agents. Thus, EANM believes that, beyond in vitro and preclinical evaluations, radiobiology will bring important added value to clinical studies and to clinical teams. Therefore, EANM strongly supports active collaboration between radiochemists, radiopharmacists, radiobiologists, medical physicists, and physicians to foster research toward precision nuclear medicine.
Mehrere Autoren haben schon die Intra- und Interobserver-Variabilität bei der Bestimmung des Schilddrüsenvolumens und knotiger Herdbefunde mit Hilfe des zweidimensionalen (2D) Ultraschalls evaluiert. Darüber hinaus wurde über Interobserver-Korrelationen für Schilddrüsenvolumenmessungen berichtet. Es gibt jedoch keine prospektive verblindete Studie, die die Intra- bzw. Interobserver-Variabilität bei der Volumenbestimmung der gesamten Schilddrüse an gesunden Probanden bzw. einzelner Knoten unterschiedlicher Echogenität an einem Phantom untersucht hat. Die Ergebnisse der Einzelstudien sollen hier vorgestellt und – soweit möglich – miteinander verglichen werden. Im Rahmen einer quantitativen Studie mit dem hier präsentierten Schilddrüsenphantom soll die Intra- und Interobserver-Variabilität bei der 2D-Ultraschallvolumetrie einzelner Knoten unterschiedlicher Größe und Echogenität und der Schilddrüsenlappen evaluiert werden. Da Schilddrüsenknoten wegen des geringeren Volumens und ihrer oft unscharfen Randkontur schwieriger zu entdecken und auszumessen sind als die Gesamtschilddrüse, soll untersucht werden, welche Größenordnungen des Messfehlers auftreten und in welcher Relation sie zueinander stehen. Außerdem soll der methodenimmanente Fehler quantifiziert und detektierbare Volumenänderungen erfassbar gemacht werden. Bisher war in der Schilddrüsensonographie kein geeignetes Phantom verfügbar, das kommerziell erhältlich ist und mit dem qualitativ unterschiedliche intrathyreoidale Herdbefunde untersucht werden können. Die vorliegende Studie an gesunden Probanden hatte das primäre Ziel, die Frage nach der Quantifizierbarkeit von Unsicherheitsfaktoren in der Schilddrüsenvolumetrie durch den konventionellen 2D-Ultraschall im Vergleich zu 3D-Referenzvolumina bei gesunden Erwachsenen möglichst exakt zu beantworten und die Untersucherabhängigkeit der Methode zu demonstrieren. Damit soll die Genauigkeit (Richtigkeit und Präzision) der sonographischen Schilddrüsendiagnostik mathematisch erfasst und eine bessere Bewertungsgrundlage für die Frage nach der Reproduzierbarkeit von Ultraschall-Volumenbestimmungen der Schilddrüse und ihrer pathologischen Veränderungen geschaffen werden. Hierfür wurden möglichst aussagekräftige statistische Parameter wie die Intra- und Interobserver-Variabilität, der systematische und zufällige Fehler, der reine Fehler der Messmethode, minimale, sicher detektierbare Volumenänderungen und im Rahmen einer multivariaten Reliabilitätsanalyse die Reliabilitätskoeffizienten untersucht. Ein weiteres Ziel dieser Studie bestand darin, die Reliabilität der in der klinischen Routine benutzten Ellipsoidformel zur Berechnung des Schilddrüsenvolumens zu überprüfen.
The spleen selectively removes cells with intracellular inclusions, for example, detached nuclear fragments in circulating erythrocytes, called Howell–Jolly Bodies (HJBs). With absent or deficient splenic function HJBs appear in the peripheral blood and can be used as a simple and non-invasive risk-indicator for fulminant potentially life-threatening infection after spleenectomy. However, it is still under debate whether counting of the rare HJBs is a reliable measure of splenic function. Investigating HJBs in premature erythrocytes from patients during radioiodine therapy gives about 10 thousand times higher HJB counts than in blood smears. However, we show that there is still the risk of false-positive results by unspecific nuclear remnants in the prepared samples that do not originate from HJBs, but from cell debris residing above or below the cell. Therefore, we present a method to improve accuracy of image-based tests that can be performed even in non-specialized medical institutions. We show how to selectively label HJB-like clusters in human blood samples and how to only count those that are undoubtedly inside the cell. We found a “critical distance” dcrit referring to a relative HJB-Cell distance that true HJBs do not exceed. To rule out false-positive counts we present a simple inside-outside-rule based on dcrit—a robust threshold that can be easily assessed by combining conventional 2D imaging and straight-forward image analysis. Besides data based on fluorescence imaging, simulations of randomly distributed HJB-like objects on realistically modelled cell objects demonstrate the risk and impact of biased counting in conventional analysis. © 2017 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of ISAC.
Background: Sorbents have been shown to adsorb iodinated radiocontrast media. Objective: In this study we describe a simple method to compare various sorbents in terms of capacity to adsorb radiocontrast media. Methods: Iodixanol solution was injected into columns filled with three types of sorbent at filtration velocities of increasing magnitude. Two variables of interest – contrast removal rate and matched iodine retention (MIR) – were calculated to measure the adsorption efficiency and the mass of contrast iodine adsorbed versus sorbent used, respectively. Results: The highest contrast removal and MIR for Porapak Q, CST 401 and Amberlite XAD4 were 41, 38 and 16% (p = 0.22 and 0.0005 for comparisons between Porapak Q-CST 401 and CST 401-Amberlite XAD4) and 0.060, 0.055 and 0.024, respectively (p = 0.18 and 0.0008). Extrapolation to a clinical scenario may suggest that removal of 8 ml iodixanol could be achieved by masses of sorbents of 43, 47 and 107 g, respectively. Conclusion: In this study we set a benchmark for comparing the radiocontrast-adsorbing efficiency of polymer sorbents during first-pass experiments, using a readily available methodology.
Background:
Methylphenidate (MPH) is the first-line pharmacological treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). MPH binds to the dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT), which has high density in the striatum. Assessments of the striatal dopamine transporter by single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) in childhood and adolescent patients are rare but can provide insight on how the effects of MPH affect DAT availability. The aim of our within-subject study was to investigate the effect of MPH on DAT availability and how responsivity to MPH in DAT availability is linked to clinical symptoms and cognitive functioning.
Methods
Thirteen adolescent male patients (9–16 years) with a diagnosis of ADHD according to the DSM-IV and long-term stimulant medication (for at least 6 months) with MPH were assessed twice within 7 days using SPECT after application of I-123-β-CIT to examine DAT binding potential (DAT BP). SPECT measures took place in an on- and off-MPH status balanced for order across participants. A virtual reality continuous performance test was performed at each time point. Further clinical symptoms were assessed for baseline off-MPH.
Results
On-MPH status was associated with a highly significant change (−29.9%) of striatal DAT BP as compared to off-MPH (t = −4.12, p = 0.002). A more pronounced change in striatal DAT BP was associated with higher off-MPH attentional and externalizing symptom ratings (Pearson r = 0.68, p = 0.01). Striatal DAT BP off-MPH, but not on-MPH, was associated with higher symptom ratings (Pearson r = 0.56, p = 0.04).
Conclusion
Our findings corroborate previous reports from mainly adult samples that MPH changes striatal DAT BP availability and suggest higher off-MPH DAT BP, likely reflecting low baseline DA levels, as a marker of symptom severity.
Background
Solitary metastases to the pancreas are rare. Therefore the value of resection in curative intention remains unclear. In the literature there are several promising reports about resection of solitary metastasis to the pancreas mainly of renal origin.
Case presentation
Here we report for the first time on the surgical therapy of a 1.5 cm solitary pancreatic metastasis of an adrenocortical carcinoma. The metastasis occurred almost 6 years after resection of the primary tumor. A partial pancreatoduodenectomy was performed and postoperatively adjuvant mitotane treatment was initiated. During the follow-up of 3 years after surgery no evidence of tumor recurrence occurred.
Conclusion
Resection of pancreatic tumors should be considered, even if the mass is suspicious for metastatic disease including recurrence of adrenocortical cancer.
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.
Background
\(^{177}\)Lu is used in peptide receptor radionuclide therapies for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. Based on the recent literature, SST2 antagonists are superior to agonists in tumor uptake. The compound OPS201 is the novel somatostatin antagonist showing the highest SST2 affinity. The aim of this study was to measure the in vivo biodistribution and dosimetry of \(^{177}\)Lu-OPS201 in five anesthetized Danish Landrace pigs as an appropriate substitute for humans to quantitatively assess the absorbed doses for future clinical applications.
Results
\(^{177}\)Lu-OPS201 was obtained with a specific activity ranging from 10 to 17 MBq/μg. Prior to administration, the radiochemical purity was measured as s > 99.7 % in all cases. After injection, fast clearance of the compound from the blood stream was observed. Less than 5 % of the injected activity was presented in blood 10 min after injection. A series of SPECT/CT and whole-body scans conducted until 10 days after intravenous injection showed uptake mostly in the liver, spine, and kidneys. There was no visible uptake in the spleen. Blood samples were taken to determine the time-activity curve in the blood. Time-activity curves and time-integrated activity coefficients were calculated for the organs showing visible uptake. Based on these data, the absorbed organ dose coefficients for a 70-kg patient were calculated with OLINDA/EXM. For humans after an injection of 5 GBq \(^{177}\)Lu-OPS201, the highest predicted absorbed doses are obtained for the kidneys (13.7 Gy), the osteogenic cells (3.9 Gy), the urinary bladder wall (1.8 Gy), and the liver (1.0 Gy). No metabolites of 177Lu-OPS201 were found by radio HPLC analysis. None of the absorbed doses calculated will exceed organ toxicity levels.
Conclusions
The \(^{177}\)Lu-OPS201 was well tolerated and caused no abnormal physiological or behavioral signs. In vivo distributions and absorbed doses of pigs are comparable to those observed in other publications. According to the biodistribution data in pigs, presented in this work, the expected radiation exposure in humans will be within the acceptable range.
Introduction. \(^{177}\)Lu-OPS201 is a high-affinity somatostatin receptor subtype 2 antagonist for PRRT in patients with neuroendocrine tumors. The aim is to find the optimal scaling for dosimetry and to compare the biokinetics of \(^{177}\)Lu-OPS201 in animals and humans. Methods. Data on biokinetics of \(^{177}\)Lu-OPS201 were analyzed in athymic nude Foxn1\(^{nu}\) mice (28 F, weight: 26 ± 1 g), Danish Landrace pigs (3 F-1 M, weight: 28 ± 2 kg), and patients (3 F-1 M, weight: 61 ± 17 kg) with administered activities of 0.19–0.27 MBq (mice), 97–113 MBq (pigs), and 850–1086 MBq (patients). After euthanizing mice (up to 168 h), the organ-specific activity contents (including blood) were measured. Multiple planar and SPECT/CT scans were performed until 250 h (pigs) and 72 h (patients) to quantify the uptake in the kidneys and liver. Blood samples were taken up to 23 h (patients) and 300 h (pigs). In pigs and patients, kidney protection was applied. Time-dependent uptake data sets were created for each species and organ/tissue. Biexponential fits were applied to compare the biokinetics in the kidneys, liver, and blood of each species. The time-integrated activity coefficients (TIACs) were calculated by using NUKFIT. To determine the optimal scaling, several methods (relative mass scaling, time scaling, combined mass and time scaling, and allometric scaling) were compared. Results. A fast blood clearance of the compound was observed in the first phase (<56 h) for all species. In comparison with patients, pigs showed higher liver retention. Based on the direct comparison of the TIACs, an underestimation in mice (liver and kidneys) and an overestimation in pigs’ kidneys compared to the patient data (kidney TIAC: mice = 1.4 h, pigs = 7.7 h, and patients = 5.8 h; liver TIAC: mice = 0.7 h, pigs = 4.1 h, and patients = 5.3 h) were observed. Most similar TIACs were obtained by applying time scaling (mice) and combined scaling (pigs) (kidney TIAC: mice = 3.9 h, pigs = 4.8 h, and patients = 5.8 h; liver TIAC: mice = 0.9 h, pigs = 4.7 h, and patients = 5.3 h). Conclusion. If the organ mass ratios between the species are high, the combined mass and time scaling method is optimal to minimize the interspecies differences. The analysis of the fit functions and the TIACs shows that pigs are better mimicking human biokinetics.
Der Follow-UP von Patienten mit differenziertem Schilddrüsenkarzinom (DTC) wird konventionell mit I-131-Ganzkörperzintigrafie (GKS) und Bestimmung des Serumthyreoglobulins (hTg) durchgeführt. Wegen der Inzidenz von 15%-20% diskordanter Resultate entwickelte Bianchi et al. (J Nucl Med 1993; 34: 2032-2037) die Serumchromatografie von endogen radioiodiertem Triiodthyronin (L-T3) und Thyroxin (L-T4) bei Patienten mit DTC nach oraler Applikation von I-131. Da im Rahmen des Iodstoffwechsels auch radioiodierte Verbindungen im Urin erscheinen, versuchten wir eine Urinchromatografiemethode zu entwickeln, basierend auf der Annahme, dass ein pathologischer I-131-Uptake, wenngleich zu niedrig um im GKS erkannt zu werden, gleichwohl über endogen iodierte Schilddrüsenprodukte im Urin nachgewiesen werden kann. In der Urinchromatografie konnten die Ergebnisse der Serumchromatografie nicht erreicht werden.
Background
Salvage radiotherapy (SRT) is clinically established in prostate cancer (PC) patients with PSA persistence or biochemical relapse (BCR) after prior radical surgery. PET/CT imaging prior to SRT may be performed to localize disease recurrence. The recently introduced \(^{68}\)Ga-PSMA outperforms other PET tracers for detection of recurrence and is therefore expected also to impact radiation planning.
Forty-five patients with PSA persistence (16 pts) or BCR (29 pts) after prior prostatectomy, scheduled to undergo SRT of the prostate bed, underwent \(^{68}\)Ga-PSMA PET/CT. The median PSA level was 0.67 ng/ml. The impact of \(^{68}\)Ga-PSMA PET/CT on the treatment decision was assessed. Patients with oligometastatic (≤5 lesions) PC underwent radiotherapy (RT), with the extent of the RT area and dose escalation being based on PET positivity.
Results
Suspicious lesions were detected in 24/45 (53.3 %) patients. In 62.5 % of patients, lesions were only detected by 68Ga-PSMA PET. Treatment was changed in 19/45 (42.2 %) patients, e.g., extending SRT to metastases (9/19), administering dose escalation in patients with morphological local recurrence (6/19), or replacing SRT by systemic therapy (2/19). 38/45 (84.4 %) followed the treatment recommendation, with data on clinical follow-up being available in 21 patients treated with SRT. All but one showed biochemical response (mean PSA decline 78 ± 19 %) within a mean follow-up of 8.12 ± 5.23 months.
Conclusions
\(^{68}\)Ga-PSMA PET/CT impacts treatment planning in more than 40 % of patients scheduled to undergo SRT. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm this significant therapeutic impact on patients prior to SRT.
We have recently demonstrated CXCR4 overexpression in vestibular schwannomas (VS). This study investigated the feasibility of CXCR4-directed positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging of VS using the radiolabeled chemokine ligand [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor.
Methods: 4 patients with 6 primarily diagnosed or pre-treated/observed VS were enrolled. All subjects underwent [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT prior to surgical resection. Images were analyzed visually and semi-quantitatively for CXCR4 expression including calculation of tumor-to-background ratios (TBR). Immunohistochemistry served as standard of reference in three patients.
Results: [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT was visually positive in all cases. SUV\(_{mean}\) and SUV\(_{max}\) were 3.0 ± 0.3 and 3.8 ± 0.4 and TBR\(_{mean}\) and TBR\(_{max}\) were 4.0 ± 1.4 and 5.0 ± 1.7, respectively. Histological analysis confirmed CXCR4 expression in tumors.
Conclusion: Non-invasive imaging of CXCR4 expression using [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT of VS is feasible and could prove useful for in vivo assessment of CXCR4 expression.
Das Multiple Myelom ist eine hämatologische Erkrankung, die durch die Proliferation von Plasmazellen und die Produktion von Antikörpern oder deren Leichtketten gekennzeichnet ist. Eine frühe Diagnosestellung durch Detektion sowohl intra- als auch extramedullärer Manifestationen ist für die Einleitung einer effektiven Therapie von entscheidender Bedeutung. Ebenso bedeutsam ist ein wirksames Therapiemonitoring. Wichtige diagnostische Modalitäten sind bei beiden Fragestellungen tomografische, bildgebende Verfahren. Hierbei wurde die Effektivität der 18F-FDG-PET/CT im Rahmen der Diagnose, des Stagings und der Prognoseabschätzung bereits nachgewiesen. Dennoch ist ihr klinischer Nutzen durch die geringe Sensitivität bei Detektion von diffusem Knochenmarksbefall und Vorliegen sowohl falsch positiver als auch falsch negativer Befunde limitiert.
Die vorliegende Arbeit hat untersucht, ob der aminosäurebasierte Tracer 11C-MET über spezifische Eigenschaften verfügt, die eine höhere Sensitivität und Spezifität in der Detektion von Myelomzellen ermöglichen und ob der Radioligand dem etablierten Glukoseanalogon 18F-FDG überlegen ist. Hierfür wurden drei etablierte humane Myelomzelllinien, sowohl nativ als auch nach 48-stündiger Therapie mit dem Proteasominhibitor Carfilzomib, mit 18F-FDG und 11C-MET inkubiert und mithilfe eines Gammastrahlungszählers beurteilt. Zudem wurde untersucht, ob die Traceraufnahme mit spezifischen Charakteristika der Tumorbiologie korreliert. So wurde die Oberflächenexpression von CD138 und CXCR4, die intrazelluläre Expression der Leichtketten κ/λ und die Proliferation der Zelllinien mittels Durchflusszytometrie vor und nach Behandlung mit Carfilzomib eruiert.
Die unbehandelten Zellen zeigten, verglichen zu 18F-FDG, bereits nach kürzester Inkubationsdauer eine 3-3,5-fach höhere 11C-MET Retention. Weiterhin zeigte sich die 11C-MET-Aufnahme nach Behandlung aller Zellreihen insgesamt marginal höher als die 18F-FDG-Aufnahme, während die Reduktion der 11C-MET-Anreicherung im prä- zu posttherapeutischen Vergleich für alle drei Zelllinien signifikant war.
Eine mögliche Erklärung für diese Beobachtungen liefert die Myelombiologie: eine erhöhte Aufnahme der radioaktiv markierten Aminosäure durch MM-Zellen könnte durch eine Zunahme der Zellproliferation und insbesondere durch eine Steigerung der Proteinsynthese im Rahmen der überschießenden Produktion von M-Protein bedingt sein. In Zusammenschau könnte 11C-MET mit höherer Sensitivität Myelommanifestationen detektieren, wodurch ggf. Läsionen mit geringem Metabolismus dargestellt und eine bessere Beurteilung des Krankheitspogresses erfolgen könnte. Zudem bietet für den klinischen Einsatz die – verglichen zu 18F-FDG – größere Differenz der 11C-MET-Retention zwischen prä- und posttherapeutischer Messung die Möglichkeit einer besseren Beurteilbarkeit des Therapieansprechens. 11C-MET birgt ggf. das Potential auch minimale aktive Restherde zu detektieren und damit Patienten einem individualisierten Therapiekonzept zuzuführen.
Ein Zusammenhang zwischen den untersuchten Biomarkern und der 11C-MET Retention bzw. deren Abnahme nach Behandlung konnte nicht gezeigt werden. Somit sollten für 11C-MET andere Biomarker herangezogen werden, um diese mit der Bildgebung zu korrelieren und zu bewerten.
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand PET/CT enables the localization of tumor lesions in patients with recurrent prostate cancer, but it is unclear whether androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) influences diagnostic accuracy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ADT on the detection rate of \(^{68}\)Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT. Thus, 399 patients with initial radical prostatectomy and 68Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT during PSA relapse were retrospectively evaluated. Propensity score matching was used to create two balanced groups of 62 subjects who either did or did not receive ADT within six months before imaging. All \(^{68}\)Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT were evaluated visually and with semiquantitative measures. The detection rate of tumor recurrence was significantly higher in the group with ADT (88.7% vs. 72.6%, p = 0.02) and improved with increasing PSA-levels in both groups. In subjects with pathological PET/CT and ADT, whole-body total lesion PSMA (p < 0.01) and PSMA-derived tumor volume (p < 0.01) were significantly higher than in those without ADT. More PSMA-positive lesions and higher PSMA-derived volumetric parameters in patients with ADT suggest that a better detection rate is related to a (biologically) more advanced disease stage. Due to high detection rates in patients with PSA-levels < 2 ng/mL, the withdrawal of ADT before PSMA ligand PET/CT cannot be recommended.
Background
The heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio is a commonly used parameter to measure cardiac I-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake. Since the H/M ratio is substantially influenced by the collimator type, we investigated whether an empirical linear conversion of H/M ratios between camera systems with low-energy (LE) and medium-energy (ME) collimator is possible.
Methods
We included 18 patients with parkinsonism who were referred to one of the two participating molecular imaging facilities for the evaluation of cardiac sympathetic innervation by MIBG scintigraphy. Two consecutive planar image datasets were acquired with LE and ME collimators at 4 h after MIBG administration. Linear regression analyses were performed to describe the association between the H/M ratios gained with both collimator settings, and the accuracy of a linear transfer of the H/M ratio between collimators and across centers was assessed using a leave-one-out procedure.
Results
H/M ratios acquired with LE and ME collimators showed a strong linear relationship both within each imaging facility (R\(^2\) = 0.99, p < 0.001 and R\(^2\) = 0.90, p < 0.001) and across centers (H/M-LE = 0.41 × H/M-ME + 0.63, R\(^2\) = 0.97, p < 0.001). A linear conversion of H/M ratios between collimators and across centers was estimated to be very accurate (mean absolute error 0.05 ± 0.04; mean relative absolute error 3.2 ± 2.6%).
Conclusions
The present study demonstrates that a simple linear conversion of H/M ratios acquired with different collimators is possible with high accuracy. This should greatly facilitate the exchange of normative data between settings and pooling of data from different institutions.
Dermal and cardiac autonomic fiber involvement in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy
(2021)
Pathological aggregates of alpha-synuclein in peripheral dermal nerve fibers can be detected in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy. This study combines skin biopsy staining for p-alpha-synuclein depositions and radionuclide imaging of the heart with [\(^{123}\)I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine to explore peripheral denervation in both diseases. To this purpose, 42 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy were enrolled. All patients underwent a standardized clinical workup including neurological evaluation, neurography, and blood samples. Skin biopsies were obtained from the distal and proximal leg, back, and neck for immunofluorescence double labeling with anti-p-alpha-synuclein and anti-PGP9.5. All patients underwent myocardial [\(^{123}\)I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. Dermal p-alpha-synuclein was observed in 47.6% of Parkinson's disease patients and was mainly found in autonomic structures. 81.0% of multiple system atrophy patients had deposits with most of cases in somatosensory fibers. The [\(^{123}\)I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine heart-to-mediastinum ratio was lower in Parkinson's disease than in multiple system atrophy patients (1.94 +/- 0.63 vs. 2.91 +/- 0.96; p < 0.0001). Irrespective of the diagnosis, uptake was lower in patients with than without p-alpha-synuclein in autonomic structures (1.42 +/- 0.51 vs. 2.74 +/- 0.83; p < 0.0001). Rare cases of Parkinson's disease with p-alpha-synuclein in somatosensory fibers and multiple system atrophy patients with deposits in autonomic structures or both fiber types presented with clinically overlapping features. In conclusion, this study suggests that alpha-synuclein contributes to peripheral neurodegeneration and mediates the impairment of cardiac sympathetic neurons in patients with synucleinopathies. Furthermore, it indicates that Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy share pathophysiologic mechanisms of peripheral nervous system dysfunction with a clinical overlap.
Objective: To investigate the association between levodopa‐induced dyskinesias and striatal cholinergic activity in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Methods: This study included 13 Parkinson's disease patients with peak‐of‐dose levodopa‐induced dyskinesias, 12 nondyskinetic patients, and 12 healthy controls. Participants underwent 5‐[\(^{123}\)I]iodo‐3‐[2(S)‐2‐azetidinylmethoxy]pyridine single‐photon emission computed tomography, a marker of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, [\(^{123}\)I]N‐ω‐fluoropropyl‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl)nortropane single‐photon emission computed tomography, to measure dopamine reuptake transporter density and 2‐[\(^{18}\)F]fluoro‐2‐deoxyglucose positron emission tomography to assess regional cerebral metabolic activity. Striatal binding potentials, uptake values at basal ganglia structures, and correlations with clinical variables were analyzed.
Results: Density of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the caudate nucleus of dyskinetic subjects was similar to that of healthy controls and significantly higher to that of nondyskinetic patients, in particular, contralaterally to the clinically most affected side.
Interpretation: Our findings support the hypothesis that the expression of dyskinesia may be related to cholinergic neuronal excitability in a dopaminergic‐depleted striatum. Cholinergic signaling would play a role in maintaining striatal dopaminergic responsiveness, possibly defining disease phenotype and progression.
Differential diagnosis of parkinsonism: a head-to-head comparison of FDG PET and MIBG scintigraphy
(2020)
[\(^{18}\)F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET and [\(^{123}\)I]metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy may contribute to the differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative parkinsonism. To identify the superior method, we retrospectively evaluated 54 patients with suspected neurodegenerative parkinsonism, who were referred for FDG PET and MIBG scintigraphy. Two investigators visually assessed FDG PET scans using an ordinal 6-step score for disease-specific patterns of Lewy body diseases (LBD) or atypical parkinsonism (APS) and assigned the latter to the subgroups multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), or corticobasal syndrome. Regions-of-interest analysis on anterior planar MIBG images served to calculate the heart-to-mediastinum ratio. Movement disorder specialists blinded to imaging results established clinical follow-up diagnosis by means of guideline-derived case vignettes. Clinical follow-up (1.7 +/- 2.3 years) revealed the following diagnoses: n = 19 LBD (n = 17 Parkinson's disease [PD], n = 1 PD dementia, and n = 1 dementia with Lewy bodies), n = 31 APS (n = 28 MSA, n = 3 PSP), n = 3 non-neurodegenerative parkinsonism; n = 1 patient could not be diagnosed and was excluded. Receiver operating characteristic analyses for discriminating LBD vs. non-LBD revealed a larger area under the curve for FDG PET than for MIBG scintigraphy at statistical trend level for consensus rating (0.82 vs. 0.69, p = 0.06; significant for investigator #1: 0.83 vs. 0.69, p = 0.04). The analysis of PD vs. MSA showed a similar difference (0.82 vs. 0.69, p = 0.11; rater #1: 0.83 vs. 0.69, p = 0.07). Albeit the notable differences in diagnostic performance did not attain statistical significance, the authors consider this finding clinically relevant and suggest that FDG PET, which also allows for subgrouping of APS, should be preferred.
The EANM 2015 Annual Congress, held from October 10th to 14th in Hamburg, Germany, was outstanding in many respects. With 5550 participants, this was by far the largest European congress concerning nuclear medicine. More than 1750 scientific presentations were submitted, with more than 250 abstracts from young scientists, indicating that the future success of our discipline is fuelled by a high number of young individuals becoming involved in a multitude of scientific activities. Significant improvements have been made in molecular imaging of cancer, particularly in prostate cancer. PSMA-directed PET/CT appears to become a new gold standard for staging and restaging purposes. Novel tumour specific compounds have shown their potential for target identification also in other solid neoplasms and further our understanding of tumour biology and heterogeneity. In addition, a variety of nuclear imaging techniques guiding surgical interventions have been introduced. A particular focus of the congress was put on targeted, radionuclide based therapies. Novel theranostic concepts addressing also tumour entities with high incidence rates such as prostate cancer, melanoma, and lymphoma, have shown effective anti-tumour activity. Strategies have been presented to improve further already established therapeutic regimens such as somatostatin receptor based radio receptor therapy for treating advanced neuroendocrine tumours. Significant contributions were presented also in the neurosciences track. An increasing number of target structures of high interest in neurology and psychiatry are now available for PET and SPECT imaging, facilitating specific imaging of different subtypes of dementia and movement disorders as well as neuroinflammation. Major contributions in the cardiovascular track focused on further optimization of cardiac perfusion imaging by reducing radiation exposure, reducing scanning time, and improving motion correction. Besides coronary artery disease, many contributions focused on cardiac inflammation, cardiac sarcoidosis, and specific imaging of large vessel vasculitis. The physics and instrumentation track included many highlights such as novel, high resolution scanners. The most noteworthy news and developments of this meeting were summarized in the highlights lecture. Only 55 scientific contributions were mentioned, and hence they represent only a brief summary, which is outlined in this article. For a more detailed view, all presentations can be accessed by the online version of the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (Volume 42, Supplement 1).
A growing body of literature reports on the upregulation of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in a variety of cancer entities, rendering this receptor as suitable target for molecular imaging and endoradiotherapy in a theranostic setting. For instance, the CXCR4-targeting positron emission tomography (PET) agent [\(^{68}\)Ga]PentixaFor has been proven useful for a comprehensive assessment of the current status quo of solid tumors, including adrenocortical carcinoma or small-cell lung cancer. In addition, [\(^{68}\)Ga]PentixaFor has also provided an excellent readout for hematological malignancies, such as multiple myeloma, marginal zone lymphoma, or mantle cell lymphoma. PET-based quantification of the CXCR4 capacities in vivo allows for selecting candidates that would be suitable for treatment using the theranostic equivalent [\(^{177}\)Lu]/[\(^{90}\)Y]PentixaTher. This CXCR4-directed theranostic concept has been used as a conditioning regimen prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and to achieve sufficient anti-lymphoma/-tumor activity in particular for malignant tissues that are highly sensitive to radiation, such as the hematological system. Increasing the safety margin, pretherapeutic dosimetry is routinely performed to determine the optimal activity to enhance therapeutic efficacy and to reduce off-target adverse events. The present review will provide an overview of current applications for CXCR4-directed molecular imaging and will introduce the CXCR4-targeted theranostic concept for advanced hematological malignancies.