Early response of tumour to radiotherapy should be assessed by both uptake and retention of single photon tracers: in vitro analysis with 201Tl-chloride, 99Tcm-sestamibi and 99Tcm-tetrofosmin in human bladder cancer cells and human leukocytes

The uptake and retention of single photon tracers in irradiated tumour cells was observed in an attempt at the early evaluation of the effect of radiation. T24 human bladder cancer cells were exposed to a single dose of 10 Gy or 20 Gy or a fractionated dose of 10 Gy (2 Gy for 5 days). The uptake of 201Tl chloride, 99Tcm-sestamibi and 99Tcm-tetrofosmin was observed by incubating in vitro for 60 min. The retention of the tracers was observed at 60 min after changing the incubation medium for a tracer-free medium. Uptake per culture well of all tracers in the cells exposed to 20 Gy declined as viable cell number decreased, but uptake per cell increased progressively. Uptake per cell of all tracers in the cells exposed to either a single dose or a fractionated dose of 10 Gy also increased, while a delay in growth was observed. The retention of these tracers decreased during this period and recovered thereafter. A binding assay with purified human leukocytes indicated that assessment with 99Tcm-sestamibi and 99Tcm-tetrofosmin is influenced by inflammatory cells. In conclusion, the effect of radiation may be underestimated if assessed by tracer uptake alone because of the increase in tracer uptake in viable irradiated cells. Observation of the retention of tracers may provide additional information.

Simple scintigraphic parameters with Tc-99m galactosyl human serum albumin for clinical staging of chronic hepatocellular dysfunction

Technetium-99m labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) has been used for hepatocellular functional evaluation. This study proposed new and simple parameters to overcome the limitations of conventional parameters, and they were applied to the clinical staging of chronic liver dysfunction. The study group consisted of 93 patients including 81 with liver dysfunction and 12 control patients. In addition to the two conventional parameters, namely, receptor index (LHL15 = liver count divided by the sum of liver and heart counts at 15 minutes) and clearance index (HH15 = heart count at 15 minutes divided by the heart count at 3 minutes), 6 new parameters for Tc-99m GSA uptake and clearance were generated. The conventional receptor index of LHL15 showed a large variation depending on the size of region of interest (ROI) over the heart. The LHL15 normalized by the ROI size (nLHL15) showed more stable data and a better separation of mild liver dysfunction. A hyperbolic relationship between the LHL15 and HH 15 changed to a linear relationship by using the nLHL15 index. The combination of the liver to heart average count ratio at 15 minutes (LH 15) and T-half (minute) of the heart count also could differentiate each stage well. In conclusion, the use of the ROI-area normalized nLHL is recommended instead of the conventional LHL15. The indices of LH15 and T-half could be alternatively used as practical parameters for clinical staging in liver function.

Radiotoxicity after strontium-89 therapy for bone metastases using the micronucleus assay

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of cytologic radiation damage to lymphocytes after 89Sr therapy using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay. The chromosomal damage to lymphocytes exposed to 89Sr in vivo should result in augmentation of the number of cells with micronucleus.

METHODS

We studied eight patients with painful bone metastases, who were treated with 111 MBq89Sr. Isolated lymphocytes collected from the patients 1 wk after therapy were harvested and treated according to the cytokinesis-blocked method of Fenech and Morley. The number of micronuclei per 500 binucleated cells was scored by visual inspection. As controls, lymphocytes from the same patients before therapy were also studied. For three patients, serial blood samples were examined for a maximum of 2 mo after therapy. In an in vitro study, lymphocytes from five normal volunteers were exposed to doses varying from 0.25 to 1.0 Gy and studied with the same method.

RESULTS

The mean number (+/-s.d.) of micronuclei per 500 binucleated cells after treatment was significantly increased (p<0.05) as compared to control subjects (17.1+/-3.0 compared to 6.0+/-1.7). Thereafter, the number of micronuclei recovered gradually by 6 wk following therapy and, in one case, nearly to the baseline range in 2 mo. The number of micronuclei after 0.53+/-0.13 Gy of external irradiation was nearly equivalent to that after 89Sr therapy.

CONCLUSION

The relatively low frequency of lymphocyte micronuclei exposed to 89Sr in vivo supported the contention that short-term nonstochastic damage with 111 MBq89Sr in patients with painful bone metastases is minimal.

Superiority of triple-detector single-photon emission tomography over single- and dual-detector systems in the minimization of motion artefacts

A patient motion-related artefact is one of the most important artefacts in single-photon emission tomography (SPET) imaging. This study evaluated the effect of the number and configuration of SPET detectors on motion artefacts. The following acquisition conditions were simulated based on original 360 degrees projection images: (1) single-detector 180 degrees rotation (S180), (2) a dual-detector rectangular (L-shaped) 180 degrees acquisition (D180L), (3) dual-detector cameras mounted opposite each other with 360 degrees acquisition (D360) and (4) triple-detector 360 degrees acquisition (T360). The motion artefacts were introduced using a syringe and a myocardial phantom. Clinical cases with technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile and thallium-201 studies were analysed to confirm the validity of this phantom simulation. The effect of continuous alternate rotation acquisition and summing the projections on the reduction of motion artefacts was investigated in each model. The effect of motion depended on the number and the configuration of the SPET detectors. A 1-pixel (6.4 mm) motion in the S180, D180L and D360 models generated only slight artefacts, and a 2-pixel motion led to an apparent decrease in activity or created hot areas in the myocardium. On the other hand, a T360 rotation created few artefacts even with a 2-pixel motion of the last quarter of the projections. Despite the difference in attenuation with 201Tl and 99mTc, similar artefact patterns were observed with both radionuclides in selected patient model studies. Continuous alternate rotation could reduce artefacts caused by less than a 2-pixel motion. In conclusion, calculating the average of the sum of the projections of triple-detector 360 degrees rotations with alternate rotation is the best method to minimize motion artefacts. This "averaging" effect of motion artefacts is a key to this simulation.

Rhenium-186-mercaptoacetyltriglycine-labeled monoclonal antibody for radioimmunotherapy: in vitro assessment, in vivo kinetics and dosimetry in tumor-bearing nude mice

Stability and immunoreactivity of 186Re-labeled monoclonal antibody were examined, and its in vivo kinetics was investigated in tumor-bearing Balb/c nu/nu female mice to assess the feasibility of using it in radioimmunotherapy (RIT). A murine IgG1, A7, against a 45 kD glycoprotein in human colon cancer was radiolabeled with 186Re by using a chelating method with a mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3). 186Re-MAG3 complex was conjugated to A7 after esterification of 186Re-MAG3 with tetrafluorophenol (TFP). The efficiency of 186Re-MAG3-TFP production and the labeling efficiency of A7 were 51-59% and 57-60%, respectively. Immunoreactivity of purified 186Re-MAG3-A7 was 68.2% at infinite antigen excess. In 0.9% NaCl at 4 degrees C, the radioactivity (12.7 MBq/mg, 3.55 MBq/ml) dissociated with time from 186Re-MAG3-A7 as a small molecular weight moiety because of autoradiolysis. The addition of ascorbic acid, 5 mg/ml, as a radioprotectant or storage at -80 degrees C could effectively prevent the radiolysis of 186Re-MAG3-A7 for 7 days. Immunoreactivity of 186Re-MAG3-A7, 6.70 MBq/mg (6.66 MBq/ml), stored in the presence of ascorbic acid was well retained up to 8 days after the preparation. In colon cancer xenografted mice, 31.0% of the injected dose/g of 186Re-MAG3-A7 had accumulated in the tumors at 24 h postinjection. Estimated radiation dose to tumors was 14.9 cGy/37 kBq up to 8 days postinjection which was 12-fold greater than the whole-body radiation dose. These in vivo characteristics were superior to those of A7 labeled with radioiodine, affording greater therapeutic ratios than 131I-A7. Because of the better image quality of 186Re-MAG3-A7 as well as more favorable dosimetry, 186Re-MAG3-A7 would be a better choice for RIT of colon cancer than 131I-A7. These results indicated the feasibility of RIT with 186Re-MAG3-A7, though the prevention of radiolysis of the labeled antibody should be considered.

Effect of 360 degrees and 180 degrees rotation SPET acquisitions on myocardial polar map: comparison of 201Tl-, 99Tcm- and 123I-labelled radiopharmaceuticals

Both 360 degrees and 180 degrees rotation acquisition methods have been used in myocardial single photon emission tomography (SPET) studies. We compared both methods using 201Tl, 99Tcm and 123I radiopharmaceuticals with phantoms and clinical models. Myocardial phantom studies with anterior and inferior defects were performed using 201Tl, 99Tcm and 123I. Clinical models of 14 typical situations, including normal subjects, patients with anterior or inferior defects and a high right hemi-diaphragm, were studied. The radiopharmaceuticals were 201Tl, 99Tcm-sestamibi, 123I-BMIPP and 123I-MIBG. Four sets of 180 degrees anterior rotation data with starting angles of (A) posterior, (B) LPO 30 degrees, (C) LPO 60 degrees and (D) left lateral direction were generated and compared with 360 degrees rotation SPET. A polar map display was used for quantification. In phantom studies, the defect contrast on the map was higher in the anterior defect with 180 degrees rotation than with 360 degrees rotation. However, it was decreased in the inferior defect, particularly with 201Tl, because of decreased wall activity around the defect. In the patient model with anterior or inferior defects, the defect contrast was improved with 180 degrees SPET by up to 10%. A slight decrease in the normal region was also noted in the 180 degrees reconstruction. The effect of diffuse liver activity on the inferior region depended on the rotation range. A patient with a high right hemi-diaphragm showed a lower inferior count with 360 degrees SPET. In conclusion, the 360 degrees acquisition was superior to the 180 degrees acquisition in the phantom with defects. Clinically, the quantitative differences in radionuclide types (99Tcm, 123I or 201Tl) were not significant for quantifying a moderate degree (50-60% of peak count) of defect. However, we note quantitative variation depending on the rotation range in the 180 degrees method.

Radiotoxicity after iodine-131 therapy for thyroid cancer using the micronucleus assay

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the degree of cytological radiation damage to lymphocytes after 131I therapy using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay. The chromosomal damage to lymphocytes induced by 131I in vivo should result in augmentation of the cells with micronuclei.

METHODS

We studied 25 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma who were treated with 3.7 GBq of 131I. Isolated lymphocytes collected from patients 1 wk after therapy were harvested and treated according to the cytokinesis-blocked method of Fenech and Morley. The micronucleus number of micronuclei per 500 binucleated cells were scored by visual inspection. As controls, lymphocytes from the same patients before therapy were also studied. In an in vitro study, lymphocytes from three patients at least 3 mo after therapy were exposed to doses varying from 0.25 to 1 Gy and studied with the same method.

RESULTS

The mean number (mean +/- s.d.) of micronuclei after treatment was significantly increased (p < 0.05) as compared to control subjects (15.7 +/- 2.7 vs. 5.4 +/- 1.4). Since there was an interval ranging from 6 to 20 mo (mean 11.8 mo) between the present and the last radioiodine therapy, no significant effect on the frequency of micronucleus with cumulative radiation exposure of 131I to lymphocytes was detected. Internal radiation absorbed doses estimated for 25 patients were 0.33 +/- 0.09 Gy in this external irradiation study.

CONCLUSION

The relatively low frequency of lymphocyte micronuclei induced by 131I in vivo and lack of significant effect on the frequency of lymphocyte micronuclei with cumulative 131I supported the contention that short-term nonstochastic damage of this therapy with 3.7 GBq of 131I in thyroid cancer patients is minimal and reversible.

Short-period-induced hypertension could improve tumor-to-nontumor ratios of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody

This study was undertaken to find optimum period of hypertensive treatment for the improvement of tumor targeting of 111In-labeled monoclonal antibody. Angiotensin II was infused into tumor-bearing mice at an infusion rate of 2.0 micrograms/kg/min determined by the dose-finding study. The infusion was continued for up to 72 h, and biodistribution of 111In-DTPA-A7, a murine IgG1, was observed 72 h postinjection. Tumor-to-nontumor ratios were best improved with the infusion for 0.5-3 h. However, with the longer infusion, the effect deteriorated by the increase of nontumor uptakes, and body-weight loss became remarkable. It could be concluded that hypertensive treatment for a short period could be safely performed to benefit targeting of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody.

Breast conserving treatment versus modified radical mastectomy in Japanese patients with operable breast cancer

From January, 1988 to October, 1995, 96 patients with operable breast cancer were treated by breast conserving treatment (BCT) including wide excision and axillary dissection followed by breast radiation. During the same period, 188 patients were treated by modified radical mastectomy (MRM) with or without breast reconstruction. In order to compare the survival of BCT and MRM groups, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in this retrospective study. Univariate analysis revealed that the 5-year survival rates in the BCT and MRM groups were 97% +/- 2% and 87% +/- 3%, respectively (p < 0.05 with the Cox-Mantel test). However, the baseline variables were different between the groups. The adjusted Cox regression analysis revealed that the results of BCT were almost equivalent with those of MRM. Moreover, no breast recurrence was found in the BCT group. Therefore, it is suggested that our technique of BCT is as effective as modified radical mastectomy in treating operable breast cancer in Japanese patients.

Thyroid nodules: evaluation with US-guided core biopsy with an automated biopsy gun

To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided automated core biopsy of thyroid nodules, 74 biopsies were performed in 61 consecutive patients with an 18-gauge short-throw (1.1-cm excursion) biopsy gun. Results were correlated with diagnoses made at surgery (n = 38) or at sonographic follow-up of at least 6 months (n = 36). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diagnoses made with automated core biopsy were 84%, 95%, and 91%, respectively. US-guided biopsy with an automated biopsy gun allowed accurate assessment of thyroid nodules.

Intense Ga-67 uptake in adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas

Gallium-67 citrate (Ga-67) scintigraphy was performed in a patient with adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas. Intense and homogeneous uptake was observed in the tumor. Few reports have dealt with Ga-67 findings in pancreatic cancers. Ga-67 uptake in the tumor was assumed to be due to accumulation in the component of squamous cell carcinoma. This case suggested that Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy may be useful in detecting adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas. To our knowledge, no report has described findings of Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy of adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas. Radiologists should remember adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas when encountering such scintigraphic findings.

Metastatic calcification: accumulation of a bone tracer during dynamic data acquisition

Metastatic calcification is often detected by bone scintigraphy. We recently saw metastatic calcification in the stomach and kidneys of a patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Tc-99m HMDP accumulation into both organs was noted even in the first frame of dynamic data acquisition of 4 min/frame, suggesting that calcium deposits may create an aggressive process and we may obtain information on the calcium deposit rate to better understand the mechanism of metastatic calcification.

Inguinoscrotal lymphatic reflux detected by lymphoscintigraphy

We performed lymphoscintigraphy with 99mTc-human serum albumin in a case of suspected lymphedema of the right leg after inguinal lymph node dissection. Dermal backflow of the leg and lymphocele at the inguinal chain were observed, and lymphatic reflux into the scrotum was also delineated. The scintigraphy could demonstrate a persistent lymphatic problem under conservative treatment, and could lead the physician to conduct surgical treatment. Scintigraphic demonstration of the inguinoscrotal lymphatic reflux has not been previously reported.

Late bone metastasis from an encapsulated follicular carcinoma of the thyroid without capsular and vascular invasion

A unique case of encapsulated follicular carcinoma of the thyroid, which lacked histologic evidence of capsular and vascular invasion but developed a late bone metastasis, is described. The thyroid tumor was found in a 42-year-old man. It was relatively small (2.5 cm) and totally encapsulated. Histologically, the thyroid tumor showed a microfollicular growth pattern of follicular cells and revealed no histologic evidence of nuclear atypia, mitotic figures or capsular and vascular invasion. The diagnosis of microfollicular adenoma was made and partial thyroidectomy was performed. Bone (rlb) metastasis of the thyroid tumor developed 22 years after the thyroidectomy. The present case suggested that capsular and/or vascular invasion is not always sufficient for the diagnosis of encapsulated follicular carcinoma of the thyroid.

Mixed medullary-follicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland: a clinicopathologic variant of medullary thyroid carcinoma

A rare case of mixed medullary-follicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland, which occurred in a 44-year-old man, is reported. The thyroid tumor was composed of solid nests of polygonal cells, with an admixture of many evenly distributed thyroid follicles that contained colloid. The lymph node metastases were the same composition as the primary, with follicle formations that contained colloid. Immunohistochemically, in both the primary and metastatic lesions, calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen were present in the predominant solid areas of medullary carcinoma, whereas thyroglobulin was demonstrated in the follicular structures. At the ultrastructural level, most of the tumor cells contained numerous neurosecretory granules, but some showed follicular cell differentiation. These findings fulfilled the criteria of mixed medullary-follicular carcinoma of the thyroid according to the World Health Organization classification and also suggested dual neuroendocrine and follicular differentiation of this type of thyroid carcinoma. We reviewed the literature on mixed medullary-follicular carcinoma of the thyroid and concluded that it might constitute another clinicopathologic entity different from conventional medullary thyroid carcinoma; it occurs predominantly in younger males and is associated with a more favorable clinical course than the usual medullary thyroid carcinoma.