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Chen P, Peng Y, Lv G, Xu L, Hua D, Xie M, Lin J. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Nonsteroidal 18F-Labeled PET Probes Specifically Targeting Estrogen Receptor α. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:3513-3524. [PMID: 38867453 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00214] [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: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The estrogen receptor α positive (ERα+) subtype represents nearly 70% of all breast cancers (BCs), which seriously threaten women's health. Positron emission computed tomography (PET) characterizes its superiority in detecting the recurrence and metastasis of BC. In this article, an array of novel PET probes ([18F]R-1, [18F]R-2, [18F]R-3, and [18F]R-4) targeting ERα based on the tetrahydropyridinyl indole scaffold were developed. Among them, [18F]R-3 and [18F]R-4 showed good target specificity toward ERα and could distinguish MCF-7 (ERα+) and MDA-MB-231 (ERα-) tumors efficiently. Especially, [18F]R-3 could differentiate the ERα positive/negative tumors successfully with a higher tumor-to-muscle uptake ratio (T/M) than that of [18F]R-4. The radioactivity of [18F]R-3 in the MCF-7 tumor was 5.24 ± 0.84%ID/mL and its T/M ratio was 2.49 ± 0.62 at 25 min postinjection, which might be the optimal imaging time point in PET scanning. On the contrary, [18F]R-3 did not accumulate in the MDA-MB-231 tumor at all. The autoradiography analysis of [18F]R-3 on the MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice model was consistent with the PET imaging results. [18F]R-3 exhibited the pharmacokinetic property of rapid distribution and slow clearance, making it suitable for use as a diagnostic PET probe. Overall, [18F]R-3 was capable of serving as a PET radiotracer to delineate the ERα+ tumor and was worthy of further exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
- Department of Radiopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ying Peng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Gaochao Lv
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Liang Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Di Hua
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
- Department of Radiopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Minhao Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
- Department of Radiopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jianguo Lin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
- Department of Radiopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
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Gilardi L, Airò Farulla LS, Bonatto E, Ceci F. Novel PET tracers in breast cancer for treatment optimization: clinical utility and future perspectives. Curr Opin Oncol 2024:00001622-990000000-00177. [PMID: 39011728 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000001057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is a critical need for timely and accurate decisions in breast cancer management. This narrative review aims to clarify the potential role of novel PET tracers in optimizing treatment strategies for different breast cancer subtypes. RECENT FINDINGS 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose PET/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) has a pivotal role in response assessment in metastatic breast cancer, despite its limitations in certain histological and molecular subtypes. Further PET radiopharmaceuticals have been proposed to address these clinical needing. SUMMARY FES PET/CT demonstrates its usefulness in assessing ER expression and predicting response to therapy in luminal breast cancer, with implications for treatment optimization and monitoring. In HER2-positive and HER2-low breast cancer, HER2-targeted PET tracers show potential in assessing HER2 status, while their accuracy in predicting response to targeted therapies is still debated. PARP-targeted PET imaging holds potential for selecting patients for PARP inhibitors treatments, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), where imaging tools are crucial due to the absence of specific targets. Immunotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are emerging treatment options for TNBC, and PET imaging targeting immune checkpoints could aid in treatment selection and response monitoring. The dynamic role of PET/CT imaging in tailoring breast cancer treatments requires further multidisciplinary research to validate the clinical utility of targeted tracers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gilardi
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS
| | - Lighea Simona Airò Farulla
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Bonatto
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS
| | - Francesco Ceci
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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3
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Munter-Young R, Fuentes-Alburo A, DiGregorio N, Neeser K, Gultyaev D. Clinical and economic outcomes of adding [18F]FES PET/CT in estrogen receptor status identification in metastatic and recurrent breast cancer in the US. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302486. [PMID: 38743917 PMCID: PMC11093585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Correct identification of estrogen receptor (ER) status in breast cancer (BC) is crucial to optimize treatment; however, standard of care, involving biopsy and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and other diagnostic tools such as 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose or 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG), can yield inconclusive results. 16α-[18F]fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol ([18F]FES) can be a powerful tool, providing high diagnostic accuracy of ER-positive disease. The aim of this study was to estimate the budget impact and cost-effectiveness of adding [18F]FES PET/CT to biopsy/IHC in the determination of ER-positive status in metastatic (mBC) and recurrent breast cancer (rBC) in the United States (US). METHODS An Excel-based decision tree, combined with a Markov model, was developed to estimate the economic consequences of adding [18F]FES PET/CT to biopsy/IHC for determining ER-positive status in mBC and rBC over 5 years. Scenario A, where the determination of ER-positive status is carried out solely through biopsy/IHC, was compared to scenario B, where [18F]FES PET/CT is used in addition to biopsy/IHC. RESULTS The proportion of true positive and true negative test results increased by 0.2 to 8.0 percent points in scenario B compared to scenario A, while re-biopsies were reduced by 94% to 100%. Scenario B resulted in cost savings up to 142 million dollars. CONCLUSIONS Adding [18F]FES PET/CT to biopsy/IHC may increase the diagnostic accuracy of the ER status, especially when a tumor sample cannot be obtained, or the risk of a biopsy-related complication is high. Therefore, adding [18F]FES PET/CT to biopsy/IHC would have a positive impact on US clinical and economic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Munter-Young
- Global Market Access, GE HealthCare, Marlborough, MA, United States of America
| | | | | | - Kurt Neeser
- Certara Germany GmbH, Evidence and Access, Loerrach, Germany
| | - Dmitry Gultyaev
- Certara Germany GmbH, Evidence and Access, Loerrach, Germany
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4
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Keigley QJ, Fowler AM, O'Brien SR, Dehdashti F. Molecular Imaging of Steroid Receptors in Breast Cancer. Cancer J 2024; 30:142-152. [PMID: 38753748 PMCID: PMC11101139 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Steroid receptors regulate gene expression for many important physiologic functions and pathologic processes. Receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and androgen have been extensively studied in breast cancer, and their expression provides prognostic information as well as targets for therapy. Noninvasive imaging utilizing positron emission tomography and radiolabeled ligands targeting these receptors can provide valuable insight into predicting treatment efficacy, staging whole-body disease burden, and identifying heterogeneity in receptor expression across different metastatic sites. This review provides an overview of steroid receptor imaging with a focus on breast cancer and radioligands for estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinton J Keigley
- From the Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | | | - Sophia R O'Brien
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Farrokh Dehdashti
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
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5
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Liu C, Ma G, Xu X, Song S, Yang Z. Can 18F-FES PET Improve the Evaluation of 18F-FDG PET in Patients With Metastatic Invasive Lobular Carcinoma? Clin Nucl Med 2024; 49:301-307. [PMID: 38427956 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000005085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) exhibits a low affinity for 18F-FDG. The estrogen receptor (ER) is commonly expressed in ILCs, suggesting a potential benefit of targeting with the ER probe 18F-FES in this patient population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of 18F-FES imaging in patients with metastatic ILC and compare it with that of 18F-FDG. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 ILC patients who underwent concurrent 18F-FES and 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations in our center. 18F-FES and 18F-FDG imaging were analyzed to determine the total count of tracer-avid lesions in nonbone sites and their corresponding organ systems, assess the extent of anatomical regions involved in bone metastases, and measure the SUVmax values for both tracers. RESULTS Among 20 ILC patients, 65 nonbone lesions were found to be distributed in 13 patients, and 16 patients were diagnosed with bone metastasis, which was distributed in 54 skeletal anatomical regions. The detection rate of 18F-FDG in nonbone lesions was higher than that of 18F-FES (57 vs 37, P < 0.001). 18F-FES demonstrated a superior ability to detect nonbone lesions in 4 patients, whereas 18F-FDG was superior in 5 patients (P > 0.05). Among 9/16 patients with bone metastasis, 18F-FES demonstrated a significant advantage in the detection of bone lesions compared with 18F-FDG (P = 0.05). Furthermore, patients with only 18F-FES-positive lesions (12/12) were administered endocrine regimens, whereas patients lacking 18F-FES uptake (2/3) predominantly received chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS 18F-FES is more effective than 18F-FDG in detecting bone metastasis in ILC, but it does not demonstrate a significant advantage in nonbone lesions. Additionally, the results of examination with 18F-FES have the potential to guide patient treatment plans.
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Ulaner GA, Vaz SC, Groheux D. Quarter-Century Transformation of Oncology: Positron Emission Tomography for Patients with Breast Cancer. PET Clin 2024; 19:147-162. [PMID: 38177052 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2023.12.002] [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: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
PET radiotracers have become indispensable in the care of patients with breast cancer. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose has become the preferred method of many oncologists for systemic staging of breast cancer at initial diagnosis, detecting recurrent disease, and for measuring treatment response after therapy. 18F-Sodium Fluoride is valuable for detection of osseous metastases. 18F-fluoroestradiol is now FDA-approved with multiple appropriate clinical uses. There are multiple PET radiotracers in clinical trials, which may add utility of PET imaging for patients with breast cancer in the future. This article will describe the advances during the last quarter century in PET for patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary A Ulaner
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Hoag Family Cancer Institute, Irvine, CA, USA; Departments of Radiology and Translational Genomics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Sofia Carrilho Vaz
- Nuclear Medicine-Radiopharmacology, Champalimaud Clinical Center, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - David Groheux
- Nuclear Department of Nuclear Medicine, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France; Centre d'Imagerie Radio-Isotopique (CIRI), La Rochelle, France; University Paris-Diderot, INSERM U976, HIPI, Paris, France
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7
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Hu J, Zhu BY, Niu ZX. Catalysts of Healing: A Symphony of Synthesis and Clinical Artistry in Small-Molecule Agents for Breast Cancer Alleviation. Molecules 2024; 29:1166. [PMID: 38474678 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, characterized by its molecular intricacy, has witnessed a surge in targeted therapeutics owing to the rise of small-molecule drugs. These entities, derived from cutting-edge synthetic routes, often encompassing multistage reactions and chiral synthesis, target a spectrum of oncogenic pathways. Their mechanisms of action range from modulating hormone receptor signaling and inhibiting kinase activity, to impeding DNA damage repair mechanisms. Clinical applications of these drugs have resulted in enhanced patient survival rates, reduction in disease recurrence, and improved overall therapeutic indices. Notably, certain molecules have showcased efficacy in drug-resistant breast cancer phenotypes, highlighting their potential in addressing treatment challenges. The evolution and approval of small-molecule drugs have ushered in a new era for breast cancer therapeutics. Their tailored synthetic pathways and defined mechanisms of action have augmented the precision and efficacy of treatment regimens, paving the way for improved patient outcomes in the face of this pervasive malignancy. The present review embarks on a detailed exploration of small-molecule drugs that have secured regulatory approval for breast cancer treatment, emphasizing their clinical applications, synthetic pathways, and distinct mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hu
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou 450018, China
| | - Bi-Yue Zhu
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400015, China
| | - Zhen-Xi Niu
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou 450018, China
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8
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Ndlovu H, Lawal IO, Mokoala KMG, Sathekge MM. Imaging Molecular Targets and Metabolic Pathways in Breast Cancer for Improved Clinical Management: Current Practice and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1575. [PMID: 38338854 PMCID: PMC10855575 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031575] [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] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Timely decision-making that enables implementation of the most appropriate therapy or therapies is essential for achieving the best clinical outcomes in breast cancer. While clinicopathologic characteristics and immunohistochemistry have traditionally been used in decision-making, these clinical and laboratory parameters may be difficult to ascertain or be equivocal due to tumor heterogeneity. Tumor heterogeneity is described as a phenomenon characterized by spatial or temporal phenotypic variations in tumor characteristics. Spatial variations occur within tumor lesions or between lesions at a single time point while temporal variations are seen as tumor lesions evolve with time. Due to limitations associated with immunohistochemistry (which requires invasive biopsies), whole-body molecular imaging tools such as standard-of-care [18F]FDG and [18F]FES PET/CT are indispensable in addressing this conundrum. Despite their proven utility, these standard-of-care imaging methods are often unable to image a myriad of other molecular pathways associated with breast cancer. This has stimulated interest in the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals targeting other molecular pathways and processes. In this review, we discuss validated and potential roles of these standard-of-care and novel molecular approaches. These approaches' relationships with patient clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics as well as their influence on patient management will be discussed in greater detail. This paper will also introduce and discuss the potential utility of novel PARP inhibitor-based radiopharmaceuticals as non-invasive biomarkers of PARP expression/upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honest Ndlovu
- Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI), Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (H.N.); (K.M.G.M.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria & Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Private Bag X169, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
| | - Ismaheel O. Lawal
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria & Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Private Bag X169, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kgomotso M. G. Mokoala
- Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI), Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (H.N.); (K.M.G.M.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria & Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Private Bag X169, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
| | - Mike M. Sathekge
- Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI), Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (H.N.); (K.M.G.M.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria & Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Private Bag X169, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
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9
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Gram-Nielsen R, Christensen IY, Naghavi-Behzad M, Dahlsgaard-Wallenius SE, Jakobsen NM, Gerke O, Jensen JD, Ewertz M, Hildebrandt MG, Vogsen M. The Pattern of Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Prospective Head-to-Head Comparison of [ 18F]FDG-PET/CT and CE-CT. J Imaging 2023; 9:222. [PMID: 37888329 PMCID: PMC10607582 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging9100222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to compare the metastatic pattern of breast cancer and the intermodality proportion of agreement between [18F]FDG-PET/CT and CE-CT. Women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were enrolled prospectively and underwent a combined [18F]FDG-PET/CT and CE-CT scan to diagnose MBC. Experienced nuclear medicine and radiology physicians evaluated the scans blinded to the opposite scan results. Descriptive statistics were applied, and the intermodality proportion of agreement was used to compare [18F]FDG-PET/CT and CE-CT. In total, 76 women with verified MBC were enrolled in the study. The reported number of site-specific metastases for [18F]FDG-PET/CT vs. CE-CT was 53 (69.7%) vs. 44 (57.9%) for bone lesions, 31 (40.8%) vs. 43 (56.6%) for lung lesions, and 16 (21.1%) vs. 23 (30.3%) for liver lesions, respectively. The proportion of agreement between imaging modalities was 76.3% (95% CI 65.2-85.3) for bone lesions; 82.9% (95% CI 72.5-90.6) for liver lesions; 57.9% (95% CI 46.0-69.1) for lung lesions; and 59.2% (95% CI 47.3-70.4) for lymph nodes. In conclusion, bone and distant lymph node metastases were reported more often by [18F]FDG-PET/CT than CE-CT, while liver and lung metastases were reported more often by CE-CT than [18F]FDG-PET/CT. Agreement between scans was highest for bone and liver lesions and lowest for lymph node metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Gram-Nielsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; (R.G.-N.); (M.N.-B.); (S.E.D.-W.); (N.M.J.); (M.G.H.)
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark;
| | | | - Mohammad Naghavi-Behzad
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; (R.G.-N.); (M.N.-B.); (S.E.D.-W.); (N.M.J.); (M.G.H.)
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark;
- Centre for Personalized Response Monitoring in Oncology (PREMIO), Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Sara Elisabeth Dahlsgaard-Wallenius
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; (R.G.-N.); (M.N.-B.); (S.E.D.-W.); (N.M.J.); (M.G.H.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, DK-7100 Vejle, Denmark
| | - Nick Møldrup Jakobsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; (R.G.-N.); (M.N.-B.); (S.E.D.-W.); (N.M.J.); (M.G.H.)
| | - Oke Gerke
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; (R.G.-N.); (M.N.-B.); (S.E.D.-W.); (N.M.J.); (M.G.H.)
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark;
| | | | - Marianne Ewertz
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Malene Grubbe Hildebrandt
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; (R.G.-N.); (M.N.-B.); (S.E.D.-W.); (N.M.J.); (M.G.H.)
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark;
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, DK-7100 Vejle, Denmark
- Centre for Innovative Medical Technology, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Marianne Vogsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; (R.G.-N.); (M.N.-B.); (S.E.D.-W.); (N.M.J.); (M.G.H.)
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark;
- Centre for Personalized Response Monitoring in Oncology (PREMIO), Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark;
- Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
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10
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Hammoud DA, Clifford Lane H, Jain SK. Molecular Imaging of Infections: Advancing the Search for the Hidden Enemy. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S233-S236. [PMID: 37788496 PMCID: PMC10547366 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Even before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, infections were a major threat to human health, as the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of morbidity among all human diseases. Although conventional imaging studies are routinely used for patients with infections, they provide structural or anatomic information only. Molecular imaging technologies enable noninvasive visualization of molecular processes at the cellular level within intact living subjects, including patients, and hold great potential for infections. We hope that this supplement will spur interest in the field and establish new collaborations to develop and translate novel molecular imaging approaches to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dima A Hammoud
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - H Clifford Lane
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sanjay K Jain
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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11
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Abstract
Breast carcinomas classified based on traditional morphologic assessment provide useful prognostic information. Although morphology is still the gold standard of classification, recent advances in molecular technologies have enabled the classification of these tumors into four distinct subtypes based on its intrinsic molecular profile that provide both predictive and prognostic information. This article describes the association between the different molecular subtypes with the histologic subtypes of breast cancer and illustrates how these subtypes may affect the appearance of tumors on imaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuchhanda Roy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison, B1761 WIMR, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Amy M Fowler
- Department of Radiology, Section of Breast Imaging and Intervention, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-3252, USA; Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-3252, USA
| | - Gary A Ulaner
- Hoag Family Cancer Institute, 16105 Sand Canyon Avenue, Ste 215, Irvine, CA 92618, USA; Department of Radiology, Department of Translational Genomics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
| | - Aparna Mahajan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison, B1781 WIMR, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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12
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Ulaner GA, Fowler AM, Clark AS, Linden H. Estrogen Receptor-Targeted and Progesterone Receptor-Targeted PET for Patients with Breast Cancer. PET Clin 2023; 18:531-542. [PMID: 37270377 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2023.04.008] [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] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor (ER)-targeted imaging with 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) has multiple proven clinical applications for patients with ER-positive breast cancer, including helping to select optimal patients for endocrine therapies, assessing ER status in lesions that are difficult to biopsy, and evaluating lesions with inconclusive results on other imaging tests. This has led to US Food and Drug Administration approval of 18F-FES PET for patients with ER-positive breast cancer. Newer progesterone receptor-targeted imaging agents are in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary A Ulaner
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Hoag Family Cancer Institute, Newport Beach, CA, USA; Radiology and Translational Genomics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Amy M Fowler
- Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Amy S Clark
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hannah Linden
- Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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13
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Vaz SC, Oliveira C, Teixeira R, Arias-Bouda LMP, Cardoso MJ, de Geus-Oei LF. The current role of nuclear medicine in breast cancer. Br J Radiol 2023; 96:20221153. [PMID: 37097285 PMCID: PMC10461286 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20221153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females worldwide. Nuclear medicine plays an important role in patient management, not only in initial staging, but also during follow-up. Radiopharmaceuticals to study breast cancer have been used for over 50 years, and several of these are still used in clinical practice, according to the most recent guideline recommendations.In this critical review, an overview of nuclear medicine procedures used during the last decades is presented. Current clinical indications of each of the conventional nuclear medicine and PET/CT examinations are the focus of this review, and are objectively provided. Radionuclide therapies are also referred, mainly summarising the methods to palliate metastatic bone pain. Finally, recent developments and future perspectives in the field of nuclear medicine are discussed. In this context, the promising potential of new radiopharmaceuticals not only for diagnosis, but also for therapy, and the use of quantitative imaging features as potential biomarkers, are addressed.Despite the long way nuclear medicine has gone through, it looks like it will continue to benefit clinical practice, paving the way to improve healthcare provided to patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carla Oliveira
- Nuclear Medicine-Radiopharmacology, Champalimaud Clinical Center, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Teixeira
- Nuclear Medicine-Radiopharmacology, Champalimaud Clinical Center, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
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Huang YT, Chen TWW, Chen LY, Huang YY, Lu YS. The Application of 18F-FES PET in Clinical Cancer Care: A Systematic Review. Clin Nucl Med 2023:00003072-990000000-00634. [PMID: 37482660 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000004760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION [18F]fluoroestradiol (FES) can be used for the noninvasive visualization and quantification of tumor estrogen receptor (ER) expression and activity and was FDA-approved as a diagnostic agent in May 2022 for detecting ER-positive lesions in patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. PET imaging was also used to detect ER-positive lesions and malignancy among patients with uterine, ovarian, and other ER-positive solid tumors. We conducted a systemic review of the studies on FES PET imaging used among patients with cancer not limited to breast cancer to better understand the application of FES PET imaging. METHODS PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases were used to perform a comprehensive and systematic search and were updated until August 15, 2022. Two authors independently reviewed the titles and abstracts of the retrieved articles by using the search algorithm and selected the articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All statistical analyses were conducted using R statistical software. RESULTS Forty-three studies with 2352 patients were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 23 studies with 1388 patients were included in the quantitative analysis, which estimated the FES-positive detection rate. Thirty-two studies (77%) included breast cancer patients in 43 included studies. The FES SUVmean was higher in patients with endometrial cancer (3.4-5.3) than in those with breast cancer (2.05) and uterine sarcoma (1.1-2.6). The pooled detection rates of FES PET imaging were 0.80 for breast and 0.84 for ovarian cancer patients, both similar to that of 18F-FDG. The FES uptake threshold of 1.1 to 1.82 could detect 11.1% to 45% ER heterogeneity, but the threshold of FES uptake did not have consistent predictive ability for prognosis among patients with breast cancer, unlike uterine cancer. However, FES uptake can effectively predict and monitor treatment response, especially endocrine therapy such as estradiol, ER-blocking agents (fulvestrant and tamifoxen), and aromatase inhibitors (such as letrozole and Z-endoxifen). CONCLUSIONS [18F]fluoroestradiol PET is not only a convenient and accurate diagnostic imaging tool for detecting ER-expressing lesions in patients with breast and ovarian cancer but also among patients with uterine cancer. [18F]fluoroestradiol PET is a noninvasive predictive and monitoring tool for treatment response and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Li-Yu Chen
- From the Primo Biotechnology Co, Ltd, Taipei
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Ulaner GA, Mankoff DA, Clark AS, Fowler AM, Linden HM, Peterson LM, Dehdashti F, Kurland BF, Mortimer J, Mouabbi J, Moon DH, de Vries EGE. Summary: Appropriate Use Criteria for Estrogen Receptor-Targeted PET Imaging with 16α- 18F-Fluoro-17β-Fluoroestradiol. J Nucl Med 2023; 64:351-354. [PMID: 36863779 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.265420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PET imaging with 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES), a radiolabeled form of estradiol, allows whole-body, noninvasive evaluation of estrogen receptor (ER). 18F-FES is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a diagnostic agent "for the detection of ER-positive lesions as an adjunct to biopsy in patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer." The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) convened an expert work group to comprehensively review the published literature for 18F-FES PET in patients with ER-positive breast cancer and to establish appropriate use criteria (AUC). The findings and discussions of the SNMMI 18F-FES work group, including example clinical scenarios, were published in full in 2022 and are available at https://www.snmmi.org/auc Of the clinical scenarios evaluated, the work group concluded that the most appropriate uses of 18F-FES PET are to assess ER functionality when endocrine therapy is considered either at initial diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer or after progression of disease on endocrine therapy, the ER status of lesions that are difficult or dangerous to biopsy, and the ER status of lesions when other tests are inconclusive. These AUC are intended to enable appropriate clinical use of 18F-FES PET, more efficient approval of FES use by payers, and promotion of investigation into areas requiring further research. This summary includes the rationale, methodology, and main findings of the work group and refers the reader to the complete AUC document.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary A Ulaner
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Hoag Family Cancer Institute, Newport Beach, California;
| | - David A Mankoff
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amy S Clark
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amy M Fowler
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Hannah M Linden
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Lanell M Peterson
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Farrokh Dehdashti
- Department of Radiology, Washington University of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Joanne Mortimer
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Jason Mouabbi
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Dae Hyuk Moon
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; and
| | - Elisabeth G E de Vries
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Zhang-Yin J. State of the Art in 2022 PET/CT in Breast Cancer: A Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12030968. [PMID: 36769616 PMCID: PMC9917740 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging with positron emission tomography is a powerful and well-established tool in breast cancer management. In this review, we aim to address the current place of the main PET radiopharmaceuticals in breast cancer care and offer perspectives on potential future radiopharmaceutical and technological advancements. A special focus is given to the following: the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the clinical management of breast cancer patients, especially during staging; detection of recurrence and evaluation of treatment response; the role of 16α-18Ffluoro-17β-oestradiol positron emission tomography in oestrogen receptors positive breast cancer; the promising radiopharmaceuticals, such as 89Zr-trastuzumab and 68Ga- or 18F-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor; and the application of artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules Zhang-Yin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinique Sud Luxembourg, Vivalia, B-6700 Arlon, Belgium
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17
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Parent EE, Fowler AM. Nuclear Receptor Imaging In Vivo-Clinical and Research Advances. J Endocr Soc 2022; 7:bvac197. [PMID: 36655003 PMCID: PMC9838808 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are transcription factors that function in normal physiology and play important roles in diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and diabetes. Noninvasive imaging of nuclear receptors can be achieved using radiolabeled ligands and positron emission tomography (PET). This quantitative imaging approach can be viewed as an in vivo equivalent of the classic radioligand binding assay. A main clinical application of nuclear receptor imaging in oncology is to identify metastatic sites expressing nuclear receptors that are targets for approved drug therapies and are capable of binding ligands to improve treatment decision-making. Research applications of nuclear receptor imaging include novel synthetic ligand and drug development by quantifying target drug engagement with the receptor for optimal therapeutic drug dosing and for fundamental research into nuclear receptor function in cells and animal models. This mini-review provides an overview of PET imaging of nuclear receptors with a focus on radioligands for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and androgen receptor and their use in breast and prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ephraim E Parent
- Mayo Clinic Florida, Department of Radiology, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA
| | - Amy M Fowler
- Correspondence: Amy M. Fowler, MD, PhD, Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792-3252, USA.
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18
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Pan B, Hao Z, Xu Y, Wang Z, Yao R, Wang X, Ren C, Zhou Y, Sun Q, Huo L. Case report: 18F-FES PET/CT predicted treatment responses of second-line and third-line CDK4/6 inhibitors after disease progression on first-line CDK4/6 inhibitor in a HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer patient. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1095779. [PMID: 36620595 PMCID: PMC9816999 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1095779] [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: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) has become the commonest first-line treatment of hormonal receptor positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, therapy is quite individualized after progression of disease (PD) when CDK4/6i fails. Estrogen receptor (ER) status of metastatic lesions of bone, lung or liver might be different from the primary tumor and biopsy of metastatic lesions was invasive and not always available. Prediction of treatment response after PD of CDK4/6i remains unsolved. 18F-fluoroestradiol (FES) PET/CT could non-invasively reveal ER expression both in primary and metastatic breast cancer and recognize heterogeneity of ER status. Case presentation A 70-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease, osteoporosis and cardiovascular co-morbidity was diagnosed with HR+/HER2- breast cancer (pT2N2M0, stage IIIa). Three years later, she developed metastases in right lung and pleura with pleural effusion and received palbociclib + letrozole. After 8 months the disease progressed, and 18F-FES PET/CT revealed multiple ER-positive pleural lesions and ER-negative pulmonary nodules after PD and the progression-free survival (PFS) of first-line CDK4/6i was 8 months. Since most of the metastatic lesions were ER-positive, abemaciclib + fulvestrant were chosen as the second-line CDK4/6i treatment and the PFS was 15 months. Another 18F-FES PET/CT showed a new ER-positive pleural mass with multiple ER-negative pulmonary nodules. Since 18F-FES PET/CT revealed that the dominant lesions were still ER-positive, dalpiciclib + exemestane + fulvestrant were prescribed as the third-line CDK4/6i treatment. Currently the patient's disease had been stable for 2 months. Conclusion This case demonstrated that 18F-FES PET/CT could show ER heterogeneity non-invasively and reveal the treatment responses a predictive imaging tool of serial second- and third-line of CDK4/6i treatments when first-line CDK4/6i failed in HR+/HER2- MBC. So long as the dominant or newly-developed metastatic lesion was ER-positive on 18F-FES PET after first-line CDK4/6i, the patient might show certain therapeutic response towards endocrine-based treatment including second- and third-line of CDK4/6i, and thus increased the time to chemotherapy (TTC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Pan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhixin Hao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China,Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ru Yao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefei Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Ren
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China,Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yidong Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Qiang Sun, ; Li Huo,
| | - Li Huo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China,Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Qiang Sun, ; Li Huo,
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Bouchelouche K, Sathekge MM. Letter from the Editors. Semin Nucl Med 2022; 52:505-507. [PMID: 35906038 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2022.07.004] [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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Lauwerys L, Smits E, Van den Wyngaert T, Elvas F. Radionuclide Imaging of Cytotoxic Immune Cell Responses to Anti-Cancer Immunotherapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051074. [PMID: 35625811 PMCID: PMC9139020 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is an evolving and promising cancer treatment that takes advantage of the body’s immune system to yield effective tumor elimination. Importantly, immunotherapy has changed the treatment landscape for many cancers, resulting in remarkable tumor responses and improvements in patient survival. However, despite impressive tumor effects and extended patient survival, only a small proportion of patients respond, and others can develop immune-related adverse events associated with these therapies, which are associated with considerable costs. Therefore, strategies to increase the proportion of patients gaining a benefit from these treatments and/or increasing the durability of immune-mediated tumor response are still urgently needed. Currently, measurement of blood or tissue biomarkers has demonstrated sampling limitations, due to intrinsic tumor heterogeneity and the latter being invasive. In addition, the unique response patterns of these therapies are not adequately captured by conventional imaging modalities. Consequently, non-invasive, sensitive, and quantitative molecular imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using specific radiotracers, have been increasingly used for longitudinal whole-body monitoring of immune responses. Immunotherapies rely on the effector function of CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells (NK) at tumor lesions; therefore, the monitoring of these cytotoxic immune cells is of value for therapy response assessment. Different immune cell targets have been investigated as surrogate markers of response to immunotherapy, which motivated the development of multiple imaging agents. In this review, the targets and radiotracers being investigated for monitoring the functional status of immune effector cells are summarized, and their use for imaging of immune-related responses are reviewed along their limitations and pitfalls, of which multiple have already been translated to the clinic. Finally, emerging effector immune cell imaging strategies and future directions are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Lauwerys
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp (MICA), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.L.); (T.V.d.W.)
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Tim Van den Wyngaert
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp (MICA), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.L.); (T.V.d.W.)
- Nuclear Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Filipe Elvas
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp (MICA), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.L.); (T.V.d.W.)
- Correspondence:
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