Non FDG PET

In vivo deuterium magnetic resonance imaging of xenografted tumors following systemic administration of deuterated water

In vivo deuterated water (2H2O) labeling leads to deuterium (2H) incorporation into biomolecules of proliferating cells and provides the basis for its use in cell kinetics research. We hypothesized that rapidly proliferating cancer cells would become preferentially labeled with 2H and, therefore, could be visualized by deuterium magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) following a brief period of in vivo systemic 2H2O administration. We initiated systemic 2H2O administration in two xenograft mouse models harboring either human colorectal, HT-29, or pancreatic, MiaPaCa-2, tumors and 2H2O level of ~ 8% in total body water (TBW). Three schemas of 2H2O administration were tested: (1) starting at tumor seeding and continuing for 7 days of in vivo growth with imaging on day 7, (2) starting at tumor seeding and continuing for 14 days of in vivo growth with imaging on day 14, and (3) initiation of labeling following a week of in vivo tumor growth and continuing until imaging was performed on day 14. Deuterium chemical shift imaging of the tumor bearing limb and contralateral control was performed on either day 7 of 14 after tumor seeding, as described. After 14 days of in vivo tumor growth and 7 days of systemic labeling with 2H2O, a clear deuterium contrast was demonstrated between the xenografts and normal tissue. Labeling in the second week after tumor implantation afforded the highest contrast between neoplastic and healthy tissue in both models. Systemic labeling with 2H2O can be used to create imaging contrast between tumor and healthy issue, providing a non-radioactive method for in vivo cancer imaging.

Radiochemistry, Production Processes, Labeling Methods, and ImmunoPET Imaging Pharmaceuticals of Iodine-124

Target-specific biomolecules, monoclonal antibodies (mAb), proteins, and protein fragments are known to have high specificity and affinity for receptors associated with tumors and other pathological conditions. However, the large biomolecules have relatively intermediate to long circulation half-lives (>day) and tumor localization times. Combining superior target specificity of mAbs and high sensitivity and resolution of the PET (Positron Emission Tomography) imaging technique has created a paradigm-shifting imaging modality, ImmunoPET. In addition to metallic PET radionuclides, 124I is an attractive radionuclide for radiolabeling of mAbs as potential immunoPET imaging pharmaceuticals due to its physical properties (decay characteristics and half-life), easy and routine production by cyclotrons, and well-established methodologies for radioiodination. The objective of this report is to provide a comprehensive review of the physical properties of iodine and iodine radionuclides, production processes of 124I, various 124I-labeling methodologies for large biomolecules, mAbs, and the development of 124I-labeled immunoPET imaging pharmaceuticals for various cancer targets in preclinical and clinical environments. A summary of several production processes, including 123Te(d,n)124I, 124Te(d,2n)124I, 121Sb(α,n)124I, 123Sb(α,3n)124I, 123Sb(3He,2n)124I, natSb(α, xn)124I, natSb(3He,n)124I reactions, a detailed overview of the 124Te(p,n)124I reaction (including target selection, preparation, processing, and recovery of 124I), and a fully automated process that can be scaled up for GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) production of large quantities of 124I is provided. Direct, using inorganic and organic oxidizing agents and enzyme catalysis, and indirect, using prosthetic groups, 124I-labeling techniques have been discussed. Significant research has been conducted, in more than the last two decades, in the development of 124I-labeled immunoPET imaging pharmaceuticals for target-specific cancer detection. Details of preclinical and clinical evaluations of the potential 124I-labeled immunoPET imaging pharmaceuticals are described here.

Effects of Photons Irradiation on 18F-FET and 18F-DOPA Uptake by T98G Glioblastoma Cells

The differential diagnosis between brain tumors recurrence and early neuroinflammation or late radionecrosis is still an unsolved problem. The new emerging magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography diagnostic modalities still lack sufficient accuracy. In the last years, a great effort has been made to develop radiotracers able to detect specific altered metabolic pathways or tumor receptor markers. Our research project aims to evaluate irradiation effects on radiopharmaceutical uptake and compare the kinetic of the fluorinate tracers. T98G glioblastoma cells were irradiated at doses of 2, 10, and 20 Gy with photons, and ¹⁸F-DOPA and ¹⁸F-FET tracer uptake was evaluated. Activity and cell viability at different incubation times were measured. ¹⁸F-FET and ¹⁸F-DOPA are accumulated via the LAT-1 transporter, but ¹⁸F-DOPA is further incorporated, whereas ¹⁸F-FET is not metabolized. Therefore, time-activity curves (TACs) tend to plateau with ¹⁸F-DOPA and to a rapid washout with ¹⁸F-FET. After irradiation, ¹⁸F-DOPA TAC resembles the ¹⁸F-FET pattern. ¹⁸F-DOPA activity peak we observed at 20 min might be fictitious, because earlier time points have not been evaluated, and a higher activity peak before 20 min cannot be excluded. In addition, the activity retained in the irradiated cells remains higher in comparison to the sham ones at all time points investigated. This aspect is similar in the ¹⁸F-FET TAC but less evident. Therefore, we can hypothesize the presence of a second intracellular compartment in addition to the amino acidic pool one governed by LAT-1, which could explain the progressive accumulation of ¹⁸F-DOPA in unirradiated cells.

Liver Tumor Ablation Procedure Duration and Estimated Patient Radiation Dose: Comparing Positron Emission Tomography/CT and CT Guidance

PURPOSE

To compare procedure duration and patient radiation dose in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and CT-guided liver tumor ablation procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective, case-control study, 275 patients underwent 368 image-guided ablation procedures to treat 537 tumors. Radiologists used PET/CT guidance for 117 procedures and CT guidance for 251 procedures. PET/CT-guided procedures were performed by one radiologist (C: P.B.S.). All 3 radiologists (A: J.G.S., B: a radiologist who is not an author on this article, and C: P.B.S.) performed CT-guided procedures. Potential confounders included patient demographics, clinical and tumor characteristics, and procedural variables.

RESULTS

The mean duration and estimated patient radiation dose of PET/CT-guided procedures performed by radiologist C were 21.5 ± 4.9 minutes longer and 0.7 ± 2.8 mSv higher than CT-guided procedures performed by all radiologists in an unadjusted comparison. Adjusting for confounding, mean duration and estimated dose of PET/CT-guided procedures performed by radiologist C were 28.3 ± 3.8 minutes longer (P < .0001) and 6.2 ± 2.9 mSv higher (P = .03) than CT-guided procedures performed by the same radiologist. Comparing CT-guided procedures performed by all 3 radiologists, adjusted mean durations and estimated patient doses of procedures by the least experienced radiologist, radiologist A, and the second most experienced radiologist, radiologist B, were 24.2 ± 5.1 (P < .0001) and 18.1 ± 8.9 (P = .04) minutes longer and 13.1 ± 3.7 (P < .001) and 14.5 ± 6.4 (P = .02) mSv higher, respectively, than procedures performed by the most experienced radiologist, radiologist C.

CONCLUSIONS

PET/CT-guided liver ablations had a slightly longer duration with slightly higher estimated patient radiation dose than similar CT-guided liver ablations. Procedure duration and patient dose do not appear to be major impediments to the emerging field of PET/CT-guided tumor ablation.

Fast liquid chromatographic determination of radiochemical and chemical purity of [11C]methionine by UPLC technique

Ultra-performance liquid chromatographic technique was applied for the first time for determination of radiochemical and chemical purity of [11C]methionine with measurement time less than 2 min. The pH and eluent strength of mobile phase were optimized to achieve a gradient elution for separation of non-radioactive impurities as well as radioactive ingredients. The developed method was validated according to the following parameters: linearity, repeatability, recovery, limit of quantitation. The novel chromatographic procedure with reduced measurement time could be uniquely applied for the quality control of [11C]methionine to considerably shorten the release time and avoid radioactivity loss of radiopharmaceutical.

Predictive Value of 99MTC-hynic-toc Scintigraphy in Lung Neuroendocrine Tumor Diagnosis

Background:

Νeuroendocrine tumors of the lungs are rare arising in the thymus and gastro-entero-pancreatic tract and belonging to foregut of neuroendocrine tumors. The aim of the present prospective study was to estimate the potential impact of single-photon emission computed tomography somatostatin receptor scintigraphy using 99mTc-Tektrotyd on diagnosis, treatment response, and prognosis in patients with neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs.

Methods:

Thirty-six patients with neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs were evaluated by using 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy. The scintigraphic results were compared to liver tissue uptake (Krenning score). Likewise, the functional imaging results were compared with biochemical indices including chromogranin A, neuroendocrine-specific enolase, and insulin-like growth factor 1 at the time of diagnosis (baseline) and disease progression.

Results:

The number of somatostatin receptors, expressed with Krenning score, did not show any correlation with the survival of patients both at baseline (P = .08) and at disease progression (P = .24), and scintigraphy results did not relate significantly to progression-free survival. Comparing the results of 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy according to the response of patients in the initial treatment, a statistically significant negative correlation was observed both in the first and in the second scintigraphy with patients’ response (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively). The concentrations of biochemical markers were in accordance with scintigraphy results in the diagnosis.

Conclusion:

This study indicates that 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy appears to be a reliable, noninvasive technique for detection of primary neuroendocrine tumors and their locoregional or distant metastases, although it cannot be used as a neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs predictive technique.

A Comprehensive Review of Non-Covalent Radiofluorination Approaches Using Aluminum [18F]fluoride: Will [18F]AlF Replace 68Ga for Metal Chelate Labeling?

Due to its ideal physical properties, fluorine-18 turns out to be a key radionuclide for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, for both preclinical and clinical applications. However, usual biomolecules radiofluorination procedures require the formation of covalent bonds with fluorinated prosthetic groups. This drawback makes radiofluorination impractical for routine radiolabeling, gallium-68 appearing to be much more convenient for the labeling of chelator-bearing PET probes. In response to this limitation, a recent expansion of the 18F chemical toolbox gave aluminum [18F]fluoride chemistry a real prominence since the late 2000s. This approach is based on the formation of an [18F][AlF]2+ cation, complexed with a 9-membered cyclic chelator such as NOTA, NODA or their analogs. Allowing a one-step radiofluorination in an aqueous medium, this technique combines fluorine-18 and non-covalent radiolabeling with the advantage of being very easy to implement. Since its first reports, [18F]AlF radiolabeling approach has been applied to a wide variety of potential PET imaging vectors, whether of peptidic, proteic, or small molecule structure. Most of these [18F]AlF-labeled tracers showed promising preclinical results and have reached the clinical evaluation stage for some of them. The aim of this report is to provide a comprehensive overview of [18F]AlF labeling applications through a description of the various [18F]AlF-labeled conjugates, from their radiosynthesis to their evaluation as PET imaging agents.

Percutaneous Minimally Invasive Thermal Ablation of Musculoskeletal Lesions: Usefulness of PET-Computed Tomography

This article discusses the role of PET-computed tomography in percutaneous minimally invasive ablation of osseous metastases including diagnosis and preprocedural factors related to patient selection and procedure planning, intraprocedural imaging guidance, and posttreatment imaging assessment.

18F-AlF Labeled Peptide and Protein Conjugates as Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Pharmaceuticals

The clinical applications of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging pharmaceuticals have increased tremendously over the past several years since the approval of ¹⁸fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Numerous ¹⁸F-labeled target-specific potential imaging pharmaceuticals, based on small and large molecules, have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical settings. ¹⁸F-labeling of organic moieties involves the introduction of the radioisotope by C-¹⁸F bond formation via a nucleophilic or an electrophilic substitution reaction. However, biomolecules, such as peptides, proteins, and oligonucleotides, cannot be radiolabeled via a C-¹⁸F bond formation as these reactions involve harsh conditions, including organic solvents, high temperature, and nonphysiological conditions. Several approaches, including ¹⁸F-labeled prosthetic groups, silicon, boron, and aluminum fluoride acceptor chemistry, and click chemistry have been developed, in the past, for ¹⁸F labeling of biomolecules. Linear and macrocyclic polyaminocarboxylates and their analogs and derivatives form thermodynamically stable and kinetically inert aluminum chelates. Hence, macrocyclic polyaminocarboxylates have been used for conjugation with biomolecules, such as folate, peptides, affibodies, and protein fragments, followed by ¹⁸F-AlF chelation, and evaluation of their targeting abilities in preclinical and clinical environments. The goal of this report is to provide an overview of the ¹⁸F radiochemistry and ¹⁸F-labeling methodologies for small molecules and target-specific biomolecules, a comprehensive review of coordination chemistry of Al³⁺, ¹⁸F-AlF labeling of peptide and protein conjugates, and evaluation of ¹⁸F-labeled biomolecule conjugates as potential imaging pharmaceuticals.

Atypical spleen tuberculosis in a melanoma patient accidentally detected during a 18F-FDG PET/CT study: Case report

The present study, discussed a rare case of a 50-year-old woman who was treated for malignant melanoma and underwent ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) examination for evaluation of disease. ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT examination was performed from the top of the head down to the knee using a Gemini TF PET/CT scanner 60 min following intravenous injection of radiotracer with mean activity of 364±75 MBq. Previous performed laboratory test and clinical examination was irrelevant. By abdominal ultrasound no abnormalities in abdominal organs beside the liver cyst were found. The ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT exam showed an increased glucose metabolism in the anterior pole of the spleen, which was considered as melanoma metastasis. Splenectomy was performed and histopathology examination tuberculous lesion in the spleen was revealed. Histopathology examination showed epithelioid granuloma and in correlation with the patient's history allowed to establish tuberculous-like lesions in the spleen. In the present study, authors used ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examination to detect the melanoma metastasis of a 50-year-old woman, and found that abnormal focal accumulation of radiotracer with limited cancer specificity in PET/CT examination in cancer patients should not be unambiguously taken as a metastatic lesion.

Effective dose estimation for oncological and neurological PET/CT procedures

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the patient effective dose (ED) for different PET/CT procedures performed with a variety of PET radiopharmaceutical compounds. PET/CT studies of 210 patients were reviewed including Torso (n = 123), Whole body (WB) (n = 36), Head and Neck Tumor (HNT) (n = 10), and Brain (n = 41) protocols with 18FDG (n = 170), 11C-CHOL (n = 10), 18FDOPA (n = 10), 11C-MET (n = 10), and 18F-florbetapir (n = 10). ED was calculated using conversion factors applied to the radiotracer activity and to the CT dose-length product.

RESULTS

Total ED (mean ± SD) for Torso-11C-CHOL, Torso-18FDG, WB-18FDG, and HNT-18FDG protocols were 13.5 ± 2.2, 16.5 ± 4.5, 20.0 ± 5.6, and 15.4 ± 2.8 mSv, respectively, where CT represented 77, 62, 69, and 63% of the protocol ED, respectively. For 18FDG, 18FDOPA, 11C-MET, and 18F-florbetapir brain PET/CT studies, ED values (mean ± SD) were 6.4 ± 0.6, 4.6 ± 0.4, 5.2 ± 0.5, and 9.1 ± 0.4 mSv, respectively, and the corresponding CT contributions were 11, 14, 23, and 26%, respectively. In 18FDG PET/CT, variations in scan length and arm position produced significant differences in CT ED (p < 0.01). For dual-time-point imaging, the CT ED (mean ± SD) for the delayed scan was 3.8 ± 1.5 mSv.

CONCLUSIONS

The mean ED for body and brain PET/CT protocols with different radiopharmaceuticals ranged between 4.6 and 20.0 mSv. The major contributor to total ED for body protocols is CT, whereas for brain studies, it is the PET radiopharmaceutical.

PET-CT in the UK: current status and future directions

Combined positron-emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) has taken the oncological world by storm since being introduced into the clinical domain in the early 21(st) century and is firmly established in the management pathway of many different tumour types. Non-oncological applications of PET-CT represent a smaller but steadily growing area of interest. PET-CT continues to be the focus of a large number of research studies and keeping up-to-date with the literature is important but represents a challenge. Consequently guidelines recommending PET-CT usage need to be revised regularly to encompass new developments. The purpose of this article is twofold: first, it provides a detailed review of the evidence-base underpinning the major uses of PET-CT in clinical practice, which may be of value to a wide-range of individuals, including those directly involved with PET-CT and to a much larger group with limited exposure, but for whom a précis of the current state-of-play may help inform other radiology and multidisciplinary team (MDT) work; the second purpose is as a companion to revised guidelines on evidence-based indications for PET-CT in the UK (being published concurrently) providing a detailed commentary on new indications with a summary of emerging data supporting these additional clinical uses of the technique.

(18)F-FDG PET/CT and Melanoma: Staging, Immune Modulation and Mutation-Targeted Therapy Assessment, and Prognosis

OBJECTIVE

Monoclonal antibodies that target the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint protein and its associated ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, and targeted inhibitors of mutated signal transduction molecules such as BRAF inhibitors show immense promise in treating patients with melanoma. We discuss the use of (18)F-FDG PET/CT for assessing therapy effectiveness, staging advanced disease, and determining prognosis of patients with melanoma.

CONCLUSION

FDG PET/CT is useful in staging disease, assessing therapy, and determining prognosis in patients with melanoma.

Normal biodistribution pattern and physiologic variants of 18F-DOPA PET imaging

Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is a neutral amino acid that resembles natural l-dopa (dopamine precursor). It enters the catecholamine metabolic pathway of endogenous l-DOPA in the brain and peripheral tissues. It is amenable to labeling with fluorine-18 (¹⁸F) for PET imaging and was originally used in patients with Parkinson’s disease to assess the integrity of the striatal dopaminergic system. The recent introduction and use of hybrid PET/CT scanners has contributed significantly to the management of a series of other pathologies including neuroendocrine tumors, brain tumors, and pancreatic cell hyperplasia. These pathologic entities present an increased activity of l-DOPA decarboxylase and therefore demonstrate high uptake of ¹⁸F-DOPA. Despite these potentially promising applications in several clinical fields, the role of ¹⁸F-DOPA has not been elucidated completely yet because of associated difficulties in synthesis and availability. Unfortunately, the available literature does not provide recommendations for procedures or administered activity, acquisition timing, and premedication with carbidopa. The aim of this paper is to outline the physiological biodistribution and normal variants, including possible pitfalls that may lead to misinterpretations of the scans in various clinical settings.

¹⁸F-DOPA PET/computed tomography imaging

18F-DOPA is a radiopharmaceutical with interesting clinical applications and promising performances in the evaluation of the integrity of dopaminergic pathways, brain tumors, NETs (especially MTCs, paragangliomas, and pheochromocytomas), and congenital hyperinsulinism. 18F-DOPA traces a very specific metabolic pathway and has a very precise biodistribution pattern. As for any radiopharmaceutical, the knowledge of the normal distribution of 18F-DOPA, its physiologic variants, and its possible pitfalls is essential for the correct interpretation of PET scans. Moreover, it is important to be aware of the potential false-positive and false-negative episodes that can occur in the various clinical settings.

Usefulness of 11C-choline positron emission tomography for genital chlamydial infection assessment in a BALB/c murine model

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of 11C-Choline PET in the assessment of the degree of inflammation in the Chlamydia muridarum genital infection model.

PROCEDURES

Forty female Balb/c mice received 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate i.m. 9 and 2 days prior to the infection: 21 mice were infected by C. muridarum into the vaginal vault, 12 mice were treated with inactivated chlamydiae, and 7 mice were SPG buffer-treated as negative controls. Three healthy control mice were not treated with progesterone. Mice in each category were randomly subdivided in two groups: (1) sacrificed at 5, 10, 15, and 20 days for histological analysis and (2) undergoing 11C-Choline PET at days 5, 10, and 20 post-infection (20 MBq of 11C-Choline, uptake time of 10 min, acquisition through a small-animal PET tomograph for 15 min).

RESULTS

Infected animals showed a significantly higher standardized uptake value than both controls and animals inoculated with heat-inactivated chlamydiae in each PET scan (P<0.05). All organs of the infected animals had scores of inflammation ranging between 2 and 3 at day 5, decreasing to 1-2 at day 20.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary result demonstrated that 11C-Choline PET can highlight a specific proliferation mechanism of inflammatory cells induced by C. muridarum, thanks to a very high sensitivity in detecting very small amounts of tracer in inflammatory cells.

18F-fluorothymidine-pet imaging of glioblastoma multiforme: effects of radiation therapy on radiotracer uptake and molecular biomarker patterns

Introduction. PET imaging is a useful clinical tool for studying tumor progression and treatment effects. Conventional (18)F-FDG-PET imaging is of limited usefulness for imaging Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) due to high levels of glucose uptake by normal brain and the resultant signal-to-noise intensity. (18)F-Fluorothymidine (FLT) in contrast has shown promise for imaging GBM, as thymidine is taken up preferentially by proliferating cells. These studies were undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of (18)F-FLT-PET in a GBM mouse model, especially after radiation therapy (RT), and its correlation with useful biomarkers, including proliferation and DNA damage. Methods. Nude/athymic mice with human GBM orthografts were assessed by microPET imaging with (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FLT. Patterns of tumor PET imaging were then compared to immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence for markers of proliferation (Ki-67), DNA damage and repair (γH2AX), hypoxia (HIF-1α), and angiogenesis (VEGF). Results. We confirmed that (18)F-FLT-PET uptake is limited in healthy mice but enhanced in the intracranial tumors. Our data further demonstrate that (18)F-FLT-PET imaging usefully reflects the inhibition of tumor by RT and correlates with changes in biomarker expression. Conclusions. (18)F-FLT-PET imaging is a promising tumor imaging modality for GBM, including assessing RT effects and biologically relevant biomarkers.

Introduction to the analysis of PET data in oncology

Several reviews on specific topics related to positron emission tomography (PET) ranging in complexity from introductory to highly technical have already been published. This introduction to the analysis of PET data was written as a simple guide of the different phases of analysis of a given PET dataset, from acquisition to preprocessing, to the final data analysis. Although sometimes issues specific to PET in neuroimaging will be mentioned for comparison, most of the examples and applications provided will refer to oncology. Due to the limitations of space we couldn't address each issue comprehensively but, rather, we provided a general overview of each topic together with the references that the interested reader should consult. We will assume a familiarity with the basic principles of PET imaging.

Importance of quantification for the analysis of PET data in oncology: review of current methods and trends for the future

In oncology, positron emission tomography (PET) is an important tool for tumour diagnosis and staging, assessment of response to treatment and evaluation of the pharmacokinetic properties and efficacy of new drugs. Despite its quantitative potential, however, in daily clinical practice PET is used almost exclusively with 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ([(18)F]FDG) and, in addition, [(18)F]FDG data are normally assessed visually or using simple indices as the standardised uptake value (SUV). After explaining why more sophisticated quantification methods can be useful in oncology, the paper reviews the approaches that are commonly used and those available but not routinely employed. Particular emphasis is addressed to the SUV, for its importance in clinical practice. Issues specific to PET quantification in oncology and related examples are then discussed. Finally, some ideas for the development of new quantitative methods for analysing PET data in oncology and for the application of approaches already existing but not commonly employed are presented.

Pharmacokinetics, metabolism, biodistribution, radiation dosimetry, and toxicology of (18)F-fluoroacetate ((18)F-FACE) in non-human primates

INTRODUCTION

To facilitate the clinical translation of (18)F-fluoroacetate ((18)F-FACE), the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, radiolabeled metabolites, radiation dosimetry, and pharmacological safety of diagnostic doses of (18)F-FACE were determined in non-human primates.

METHODS

(18)F-FACE was synthesized using a custom-built automated synthesis module. Six rhesus monkeys (three of each sex) were injected intravenously with (18)F-FACE (165.4 ± 28.5 MBq), followed by dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the thoracoabdominal area during 0-30 min post-injection and static whole-body PET imaging at 40, 100, and 170 min. Serial blood samples and a urine sample were obtained from each animal to determine the time course of (18)F-FACE and its radiolabeled metabolites. Electrocardiograms and hematology analyses were obtained to evaluate the acute and delayed toxicity of diagnostic dosages of (18)F-FACE. The time-integrated activity coefficients for individual source organs and the whole body after administration of (18)F-FACE were obtained using quantitative analyses of dynamic and static PET images and were extrapolated to humans.

RESULTS

The blood clearance of (18)F-FACE exhibited bi-exponential kinetics with half-times of 4 and 250 min for the fast and slow phases, respectively. A rapid accumulation of (18)F-FACE-derived radioactivity was observed in the liver and kidneys, followed by clearance of the radioactivity into the intestine and the urinary bladder. Radio-HPLC analyses of blood and urine samples demonstrated that (18)F-fluoride was the only detectable radiolabeled metabolite at the level of less than 9% of total radioactivity in blood at 180 min after the (18)F-FACE injection. The uptake of free (18)F-fluoride in the bones was insignificant during the course of the imaging studies. No significant changes in ECG, CBC, liver enzymes, or renal function were observed. The estimated effective dose for an adult human is 3.90-7.81 mSv from the administration of 185-370 MBq of (18)F-FACE.

CONCLUSIONS

The effective dose and individual organ radiation absorbed doses from administration of a diagnostic dosage of (18)F-FACE are acceptable. From a pharmacologic perspective, diagnostic dosages of (18)F-FACE are non-toxic in primates and, therefore, could be safely administered to human patients for PET imaging.

PET imaging: implications for the future of therapy monitoring with PET/CT in oncology

Among the methods based on molecular imaging, the measure of the tracer uptake variation between a baseline and follow-up scan with the SUV and [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT is a very powerful tool for assessing response to treatment in oncology. However, the development of new targeted therapeutics and tissue pharmacokinetic evaluation of existing ones are increasingly requiring therapy monitoring with alternative tracers and indicators. In parallel, the potential predictive and prognostic value of other image-derived parameters, such as tumour volume and textural features, relating to tumoral heterogeneity, has recently emerged from several works.

Non-FDG PET in oncology

Although FDG PET and PET/CT have a well established role in the management of most cancer patients, they also have some limitations. For the last 15-20 years a growing number of non-FDG PET tracers have been used in research. Many of these new PET tracers are being investigated for the non-invasive assessment of different biologic functions in cancer cells. This unique information should contribute to making personalized cancer therapy a reality. This paper reviews the non-FDG PET tracers that are most likely to find clinical application, some of them in the near future.

Positron emission tomographic scans in lymphoma: convention and controversy

The use of sensitive and specific imaging techniques for accurate initial staging and evaluation of response to therapy in patients with lymphoma is essential for their optimal management. Fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) integrated with computed tomography (CT) has emerged as a powerful imaging tool and is being routinely used in staging, response evaluation, and posttreatment surveillance in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. PET/CT is currently widely used in clinical practice, but the established clinical benefit is currently restricted to the posttreatment evaluation of Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma. Although used in other histologic subtypes and in other clinical situations including response assessment, its impact on patient outcome remains to be demonstrated. We performed a literature search of PubMed from 1999 to 2011 using the following keywords: PET scan, FDG-PET, PET/CT, lymphoma. This review addresses the challenges and controversies in the use of PET/CT scans in the management of patients with lymphoma.

Novel oncologic drugs: what they do and how they affect images

Targeted therapies are designed to interfere with specific aberrant biologic pathways involved in tumor development. The main classes of novel oncologic drugs include antiangiogenic drugs, antivascular agents, drugs interfering with EGFR-HER2 or KIT receptors, inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and hormonal therapies. Cancer cells usurp normal signal transduction pathways used by growth factors to stimulate proliferation and sustain viability. The interaction of growth factors with their receptors activates different intracellular pathways affecting key tumor biologic processes such as neoangiogenesis, tumor metabolism, and tumor proliferation. The response of tumors to anticancer therapy can be evaluated with anatomic response assessment, qualitative response assessment, and response assessment with functional and molecular imaging. Angiogenesis can be measured by means of perfusion imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging allows imaging evaluation of tumor cellularity. The main imaging techniques for studying tumor metabolism in vivo are positron emission tomography and MR spectroscopy. Familiarity with imaging findings secondary to tumor response to targeted therapies may help the radiologist better assist the clinician in accurate evaluation of tumor response to these anticancer treatments. Functional and molecular imaging techniques may provide valuable data and augment conventional assessment of tumor response to targeted therapies. Supplemental material available at http://radiographics.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/rg.317115108/-/DC1.

[Pitfalls with 18F-choline PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer]

The (18)F-choline PET-CT (FCH) has better performance in the assessment of patients with prostate cancer than (18)F-FDG. However, similarly, it is also not a tumor specific radiotracer. We present four (18)F-FCH PET-CT scans in which false positive findings were correctly assessed after evaluation with CT, clinical parameters and/or histological analysis.

18F-DOPA PET/CT biodistribution consideration in 107 consecutive patients with neuroendocrine tumours

OBJECTIVE

L-6-fluoro 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-DOPA), an amino acid-based radiopharmaceutical, is increasingly being used in the detection and management of neuroendocrine tumours. Knowledge of the normal biodistribution of this radiopharmaceutical is essential for the proper interpretation of such studies, but the literature available is scanty due to the rarity of these tumours. The aim of this study is to evaluate the biodistribution pattern and normal variants of 18F-DOPA in a cohort of patients with neuroendocrine tumours using semiquantitative analysis (maximum standardized uptake value).

METHODS

We analysed 107 consecutive 18F-DOPA PET/CT studies of patients referred with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (43), phaeochromocytoma including cases of Von Hippel Lindau syndrome and multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIA cases (34), paraganglioma (14) and other neuroendocrine tumours (16). The study population were divided into two groups: those with negative 18F-DOPA PET/CT scans (32) and those with positive scans (75). The biodistribution of 18F-DOPA in each group was measured and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The physiological biodistribution in the basal ganglia and liver parenchyma showed no variability between the two groups. Conversely, uptake in the pancreas (particularly the uncinate process) and adrenals showed considerable variability between the groups. However, these differences were found not to be significant on statistical analysis.

CONCLUSION

The data presented may provide useful information in understanding the physiologic biodistribution of DOPA and its variants, for the purpose of improving the interpretation of 18F-DOPA PET/CT.

High-yielding aqueous 18F-labeling of peptides via Al18F chelation

The coordination chemistry of a new pentadentate bifunctional chelator (BFC), NODA-MPAA 1, containing the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4-diacetate (NODA) motif with a methylphenylacetic acid (MPAA) backbone, and its ability to form stable Al(18)F chelates were investigated. The organofluoroaluminates were easily accessible from the reaction of 1 and AlF(3). X-ray diffraction studies revealed aluminum at the center of a slightly distorted octahedron, with fluorine occupying one of the axial positions. The tert-butyl protected prochelator 7, which can be synthesized in one step, is useful for coupling to biomolecules on solid phase or in solution. High yield (55-89%) aqueous (18)F-labeling was achieved in 10-15 min with a tumor-targeting peptide 4 covalently linked to 1. Defluorination was not observed for at least 4 h in human serum at 37 °C. These results demonstrate the facile application of Al(18)F chelation using BFC 1 as a versatile labeling method for radiofluorinating other heat-stable peptides for positron emission imaging.

Opportunities and pitfalls of cancer imaging in clinical trials

Cancer treatment strategies have changed considerably over the past two decades, with increasing emphasis on cancer-specific biological therapies. This situation has led to the incorporation of biomarkers, including those obtained by medical imaging, into trial designs to better understand mechanisms of action and, hopefully, to provide early evidence of treatment efficacy at a molecular or physiological level. Unlike blood tests and tissue samples, an imaging biomarker allows assessment of treatment in the whole tumor, in all tumors in the body, and at multiple time points. This situation has increased the complexity of clinical trials, as each imaging modality has issues related to cost, ease of use, patient compatibility, data analysis, and interpretation. This article reviews strengths and limitations of the current imaging methods available in clinical cancer trials, including MRI, CT, PET, and ultrasonography. The information gained by each test, and the difficulties in acquiring the data and interpreting it are also discussed in order to help researchers plan imaging in clinical trials and interpret data from such studies.