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Caldarella C, De Risi M, Massaccesi M, Miccichè F, Bussu F, Galli J, Rufini V, Leccisotti L. Role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Current Evidence and Innovative Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1905. [PMID: 38791983 PMCID: PMC11119768 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in various clinical scenarios of head-neck squamous cell carcinoma, ranging from initial staging to treatment-response assessment, and post-therapy follow-up, with a focus on the current evidence, debated issues, and innovative applications. Methodological aspects and the most frequent pitfalls in head-neck imaging interpretation are described. In the initial work-up, 18F-FDG PET/CT is recommended in patients with metastatic cervical lymphadenectomy and occult primary tumor; moreover, it is a well-established imaging tool for detecting cervical nodal involvement, distant metastases, and synchronous primary tumors. Various 18F-FDG pre-treatment parameters show prognostic value in terms of disease progression and overall survival. In this scenario, an emerging role is played by radiomics and machine learning. For radiation-treatment planning, 18F-FDG PET/CT provides an accurate delineation of target volumes and treatment adaptation. Due to its high negative predictive value, 18F-FDG PET/CT, performed at least 12 weeks after the completion of chemoradiotherapy, can prevent unnecessary neck dissections. In addition to radiomics and machine learning, emerging applications include PET/MRI, which combines the high soft-tissue contrast of MRI with the metabolic information of PET, and the use of PET radiopharmaceuticals other than 18F-FDG, which can answer specific clinical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Caldarella
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Radiology and Oncologic Radiotherapy, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.D.R.); (L.L.)
| | - Marina De Risi
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Radiology and Oncologic Radiotherapy, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.D.R.); (L.L.)
| | - Mariangela Massaccesi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Radiology and Oncologic Radiotherapy, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Miccichè
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Ospedale Isola Tiberina—Gemelli Isola, 00186 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Bussu
- Otorhinolaryngology Operative Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Jacopo Galli
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Sensory Organs and Thorax, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Head-Neck and Sensory Organs, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Vittoria Rufini
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Radiology and Oncologic Radiotherapy, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.D.R.); (L.L.)
- Section of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiological Sciences and Hematology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Leccisotti
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Radiology and Oncologic Radiotherapy, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.D.R.); (L.L.)
- Section of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiological Sciences and Hematology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Hirata K, Watanabe S, Kitagawa Y, Kudo K. A Review of Hypoxia Imaging Using 18F-Fluoromisonidazole Positron Emission Tomography. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2755:133-140. [PMID: 38319574 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3633-6_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Tumor hypoxia is an essential factor related to malignancy, prognosis, and resistance to treatment. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a modality that visualizes the distribution of radiopharmaceuticals administered into the body. PET imaging with [18F]fluoromisonidazole ([18F]FMISO) identifies hypoxic tissues. Unlike [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG)-PET, fasting is not necessary for [18F]FMISO-PET, but the waiting time from injection to image acquisition needs to be relatively long (e.g., 2-4 h). [18F]FMISO-PET images can be displayed on an ordinary commercial viewer on a personal computer (PC). While visual assessment is fundamental, various quantitative indices such as tumor-to-muscle ratio have also been proposed. Several novel hypoxia tracers have been invented to compensate for the limitations of [18F]FMISO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hirata
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
- Global Center for Biomedical Science and Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Shiro Watanabe
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
- Global Center for Biomedical Science and Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Kitagawa
- Oral Diagnosis and Medicine, Department of Oral Pathobiological Science, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Kudo
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
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Bhattacharya K, Mahajan A, Vaish R, Rane S, Shukla S, D'Cruz AK. Imaging of Neck Nodes in Head and Neck Cancers - a Comprehensive Update. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2023; 35:429-445. [PMID: 37061456 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2023.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Cervical lymph node metastases from head and neck squamous cell cancers significantly reduce disease-free survival and worsen overall prognosis and, hence, deserve more aggressive management and follow-up. As per the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual, extranodal extension, especially in human papillomavirus-negative cancers, has been incorporated in staging as it is important in deciding management and significantly impacts the outcome of head and neck squamous cell cancer. Lymph node imaging with various radiological modalities, including ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, has been widely used, not only to demonstrate nodal involvement but also for guided histopathological evaluation and therapeutic intervention. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, together with positron emission tomography, are used widely for the follow-up of treated patients. Finally, there is an emerging role for artificial intelligence in neck node imaging that has shown promising results, increasing the accuracy of detection of nodal involvement, especially normal-appearing nodes. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis and management of involved neck nodes with a focus on sentinel node anatomy, pathogenesis, imaging correlates (including radiogenomics and artificial intelligence) and the role of image-guided interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Bhattacharya
- Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - A Mahajan
- The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
| | - R Vaish
- Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - S Rane
- Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - S Shukla
- Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - A K D'Cruz
- Apollo Hospitals, India; Union International Cancer Control (UICC), Geneva, Switzerland; Foundation of Head Neck Oncology, India
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Röhrich M. Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor PET Imaging in Head and Neck Cancer. PET Clin 2023:S1556-8598(23)00015-9. [PMID: 37019786 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
68Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-PET is highly promising for head and neck cancers including oral squamous cell carcinomas, hypopharynx carcinomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas, thyroid cancer, and cervical cancer of unknown primary. For oral squamous cell carcinomas, hypopharynx carcinomas, and adenoid cystic carcinomas, 68Ga-FAPI-PET has high potential for the assessment of primary tumors with impact on radiotherapy planning. 68Ga-FAPI-PET can be applied for staging of metastasized thyroid carcinomas. To date, the data on cervical cancer of unknown primary are sparse but highly interesting as 68Ga-FAPI-PET may detect a significant portion of 18fluoro-deoxyglucose-PET-negative primary tumors.
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Application of Metabolic Reprogramming to Cancer Imaging and Diagnosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415831. [PMID: 36555470 PMCID: PMC9782057 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular metabolism governs the signaling that supports physiological mechanisms and homeostasis in an individual, including neuronal transmission, wound healing, and circadian clock manipulation. Various factors have been linked to abnormal metabolic reprogramming, including gene mutations, epigenetic modifications, altered protein epitopes, and their involvement in the development of disease, including cancer. The presence of multiple distinct hallmarks and the resulting cellular reprogramming process have gradually revealed that these metabolism-related molecules may be able to be used to track or prevent the progression of cancer. Consequently, translational medicines have been developed using metabolic substrates, precursors, and other products depending on their biochemical mechanism of action. It is important to note that these metabolic analogs can also be used for imaging and therapeutic purposes in addition to competing for metabolic functions. In particular, due to their isotopic labeling, these compounds may also be used to localize and visualize tumor cells after uptake. In this review, the current development status, applicability, and limitations of compounds targeting metabolic reprogramming are described, as well as the imaging platforms that are most suitable for each compound and the types of cancer to which they are most appropriate.
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Li H, Kong Z, Xiang Y, Zheng R, Liu S. The role of PET/CT in radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1017758. [PMID: 36338692 PMCID: PMC9634754 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1017758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy has already been developed as the standard of care for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and precision staging, target volume delineation, prognosis prediction, and post-treatment surveillance are essential in the management of NPC. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is increasingly recognized as an imaging modality to guide precision radiotherapy in these areas. The feasibility and efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT have been confirmed in tumor diagnosis, treatment planning, prognosis, surveillance, and assessment. Coupled with the capability of revealing tumor metabolic information, 18F-FDG PET/CT is more accurate in identifying primary lesions and metastases of NPC than other conventional imaging methods including CT and MRI and shows the independently diagnostic and prognostic value for radiotherapy. However, 18F-FDG has limitations due to its physiological distribution in brain tissue and increasing uptake in post-radiation inflammation. Novel PET radiotracers including FAPI, NaF, CHO, and FLT are explored as alternatives with potential superiority for radiotherapy in NPC. In this review, we summarized the evolving role of PET/CT in the management of radiotherapy in NPC patients, aiming to facilitate precision radiotherapy from a molecular imaging aspect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjia Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine/PET-CT Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ziren Kong
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongbo Xiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Zheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine/PET-CT Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shaoyan Liu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Swartz JE, Smits HJG, Philippens MEP, de Bree R, H A M Kaanders J, Willems SM. Correlation and colocalization of HIF-1α and pimonidazole staining for hypoxia in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas: A digital, single-cell-based analysis. Oral Oncol 2022; 128:105862. [PMID: 35447566 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.105862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tumor hypoxia results in worse local control and patient survival. We performed a digital, single-cell-based analysis to compare two biomarkers for hypoxia (hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha [HIF-1α] and pimonidazole [PIMO]) and their effect on outcome in laryngeal cancer patients treated with accelerated radiotherapy with or without carbogen breathing and nicotinamide (AR versus ARCON). MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunohistochemical staining was performed for HIF-1α and PIMO in consecutive sections of 44 laryngeal cancer patients randomized between AR and ARCON. HIF-1α expression and PIMO-binding were correlated using digital image analysis in QuPath. High-density areas for each biomarker were automatically annotated and staining overlap was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses for local control, regional control and disease-free survival were performed to predict a response benefit of ARCON over AR alone for each biomarker. RESULTS 106 Tissue fragments of 44 patients were analyzed. A weak, significant positive correlation was observed between HIF-1α and PIMO positivity on fragment level, but not on patient level. A moderate strength correlation (r = 0.705, p < 0.001) was observed between the number of high-density staining areas for both biomarkers. Staining overlap was poor. HIF-1α expression, PIMO-binding or a combination could not predict a response benefit of ARCON over AR. CONCLUSION Digital image analysis to compare positive cell fractions and staining overlap between two hypoxia biomarkers using open-source software is feasible. Our results highlight that there are distinct differences between HIF-1α and PIMO as hypoxia biomarkers and therefore suggest co-existence of different forms of hypoxia within a single tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin E Swartz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Hilde J G Smits
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Remco de Bree
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes H A M Kaanders
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan M Willems
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Clinical Role of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Imaging in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. PET Clin 2022; 17:213-222. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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9
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Debacker JM, Schelfhout V, Brochez L, Creytens D, D’Asseler Y, Deron P, Keereman V, Van de Vijver K, Vanhove C, Huvenne W. High-Resolution 18F-FDG PET/CT for Assessing Three-Dimensional Intraoperative Margins Status in Malignancies of the Head and Neck, a Proof-of-Concept. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10163737. [PMID: 34442033 PMCID: PMC8397229 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10163737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The surgical treatment of head and neck malignancies relies on the complete removal of tumoral tissue, while inadequate margins necessitate the use of adjuvant therapy. However, most positive margins are identified postoperatively as deep margins, and intraoperative identification of the deep positive margins could help achieve adequate surgical margins and decrease adjuvant therapies. To improve deep-margin identification, we investigated whether the use of high-resolution preclinical PET and CT could increase certainty about the surgical margins in three dimensions. Patients with a malignancy of the head and neck planned for surgical resection were administered a clinical activity of 4MBq/kg 18F-FDG approximately one hour prior to surgical initiation. Subsequently, the resected specimen was scanned with a micro-PET-CT imaging device, followed by histopathological assessment. Eight patients were included in the study and intraoperative PET/CT-imaging of 11 tumoral specimens and lymph nodes of three patients was performed. As a result of the increased resolution, differentiation between inflamed and dysplastic tissue versus malignant tissue was complicated in malignancies with increased peritumoral inflammation. The current technique allowed the three-dimensional delineation of 18F-FDG using submillimetric PET/CT imaging. While further optimization and patient stratification is required, clinical implementation could enable deep margin assessment in head and neck resection specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens M. Debacker
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.B.); (P.D.); (W.H.)
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Brussels, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (V.S.); (D.C.); (Y.D.); (K.V.d.V.); (C.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-9-332-39-90
| | - Vanessa Schelfhout
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (V.S.); (D.C.); (Y.D.); (K.V.d.V.); (C.V.)
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieve Brochez
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.B.); (P.D.); (W.H.)
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (V.S.); (D.C.); (Y.D.); (K.V.d.V.); (C.V.)
- Department of Dermatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - David Creytens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (V.S.); (D.C.); (Y.D.); (K.V.d.V.); (C.V.)
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yves D’Asseler
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (V.S.); (D.C.); (Y.D.); (K.V.d.V.); (C.V.)
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philippe Deron
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.B.); (P.D.); (W.H.)
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (V.S.); (D.C.); (Y.D.); (K.V.d.V.); (C.V.)
| | - Vincent Keereman
- Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- XEOS Medical NV, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Van de Vijver
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (V.S.); (D.C.); (Y.D.); (K.V.d.V.); (C.V.)
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Vanhove
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (V.S.); (D.C.); (Y.D.); (K.V.d.V.); (C.V.)
- Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- INFINITY Lab, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Huvenne
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.B.); (P.D.); (W.H.)
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (V.S.); (D.C.); (Y.D.); (K.V.d.V.); (C.V.)
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Schobert IT, Savic LJ. Current Trends in Non-Invasive Imaging of Interactions in the Liver Tumor Microenvironment Mediated by Tumor Metabolism. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3645. [PMID: 34359547 PMCID: PMC8344973 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
With the increasing understanding of resistance mechanisms mediated by the metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, there is a growing clinical interest in imaging technologies that allow for the non-invasive characterization of tumor metabolism and the interactions of cancer cells with the tumor microenvironment (TME) mediated through tumor metabolism. Specifically, tumor glycolysis and subsequent tissue acidosis in the realms of the Warburg effect may promote an immunosuppressive TME, causing a substantial barrier to the clinical efficacy of numerous immuno-oncologic treatments. Thus, imaging the varying individual compositions of the TME may provide a more accurate characterization of the individual tumor. This approach can help to identify the most suitable therapy for each individual patient and design new targeted treatment strategies that disable resistance mechanisms in liver cancer. This review article focuses on non-invasive positron-emission tomography (PET)- and MR-based imaging techniques that aim to visualize the crosstalk between tumor cells and their microenvironment in liver cancer mediated by tumor metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Theresa Schobert
- Department of Radiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Lynn Jeanette Savic
- Department of Radiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
- Berlin Institute of Health, 10178 Berlin, Germany
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Michael Sathekge M, Bouchelouche K. Letter from the Editors. Semin Nucl Med 2021; 51:1-2. [PMID: 33246534 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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