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Gelardi F, Lazar A, Ninatti G, Pini C, Chiti A, Luster M, Eilsberger F, Sollini M. Match Point: Nuclear Medicine Imaging for Recurrent Thyroid Cancer in TENIS Syndrome-Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2024; 13:5362. [PMID: 39336848 PMCID: PMC11432630 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13185362] [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: 07/29/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Disease recurrence and resistance to radioiodine (RAI) therapy are major challenges in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). In particular, the TENIS (Thyroglobulin Elevated Negative Iodine Scintigraphy) syndrome, characterised by elevated thyroglobulin (Tg) serum levels in addition to a negative radioiodine whole body scan (WBS), complicates disease monitoring and treatment decisions. Conventional imaging techniques often fail to detect disease in WBS-negative patients with rising Tg levels, leading to limitations in therapeutic intervention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of nuclear imaging modalities in detecting disease recurrence in patients with the TENIS syndrome and to provide insights to guide therapeutic approaches in this complex clinical scenario. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE databases up to March 2024 was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies were selected, and quality assessment was performed with the QUADAS-2 tool. For each study, relevant data were extracted and synthesised. A meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of [18F]FDG PET/CT was performed, and patient-based pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated using a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the I2 statistic. Results: Of the 538 studies initially identified, 22 were included in the systematic review, of which 18 were eligible for meta-analysis. The eligible studies, mainly focused on [18F]FDG PET/CT, showed variable sensitivity and specificity for the detection of RAI-refractory thyroid cancer lesions. For [18F]FDG PET/CT, pooled estimates displayed a sensitivity of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82-0.90) and a specificity of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.61-0.86), with moderate heterogeneity between studies. Conclusions: [18F]FDG PET/CT remains central in the detection of disease recurrence in patients with the TENIS syndrome. The emergence of novel radiopharmaceuticals with specific molecular targets is a promising way to overcome the limitations of [18F]FDG in these patients and to open new theranostics perspectives. This review highlights the great potential of nuclear medicine in guiding therapeutic strategies for RAI-refractory thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Gelardi
- Faculty of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milano, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Alexandra Lazar
- Faculty of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Gaia Ninatti
- IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milano, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Cristiano Pini
- IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milano, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Arturo Chiti
- Faculty of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milano, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Markus Luster
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Martina Sollini
- Faculty of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milano, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milano, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
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Volpe F, Nappi C, Zampella E, Di Donna E, Maurea S, Cuocolo A, Klain M. Current Advances in Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:3870-3884. [PMID: 39057158 PMCID: PMC11276085 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31070286] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients have an outstanding overall long-term survival rate, and certain subsets of DTC patients have a very high likelihood of disease recurrence. Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is a cornerstone in DTC management, but cancer cells can eventually develop resistance to RAI. Radioactive iodine-refractory DTC (RAIR-DTC) is a condition defined by ATA 2015 guidelines when DTC cannot concentrate RAI ab initio or loses RAI uptake ability after the initial therapy. The RAIR condition implies that RAI cannot reveal new met-astatic foci, so RAIR-DTC metabolic imaging needs new tracers. 18F-FDG PET/CT has been widely used and has demonstrated prognostic value, but 18F-FDG DTC avidity may remain low. Fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FA-Pi)s, prostatic-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), and somatostatin receptor (SSTR) tracers have been proposed as theragnostic agents in experimental settings and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides in the diagnostic trial field. Multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors are relatively new drugs approved in RAIR-DTC therapy. Despite the promising targeted setting, they relate to frequent adverse-event onset. Sorafenib and trametinib have been included in re-differentiation protocols aimed at re-inducing RAI accumulation in DTC cells. Results appear promising, but not excellent. CONCLUSIONS RAIR-DTC remains a challenging nosological entity. There are still controversies on RAIR-DTC definition and post-RAI therapy evaluation, with post-therapy whole-body scan (PT-WBS) the only validated criterion of response. The recent introduction of multiple diagnostic and therapeutic agents obliges physicians to pursue a multidisciplinary approach aiming to correct drug introduction and timing choice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carmela Nappi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (F.V.); (E.Z.); (E.D.D.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
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Abelleira E, Jerkovich F. Dynamic risk assessment in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2024; 25:79-93. [PMID: 38015344 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-023-09857-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The current approach for patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma should be individualized according to the risk of recurrence, and this stratification could be used to identify the risk of persistent/recurrent disease in three scenarios: preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and during long-term follow-up. The initial risk of recurrence will tailor the management of the patient in the preoperative and immediate postoperative settings, while the dynamic risk, which considers the responses to treatment, could guide the decision-making process for remnant ablation and long-term management.This review provides a summary of the existing information regarding the dynamic risk of recurrence and recommended management for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. The application of this approach is essential to avoid unnecessary treatments for most patients who will have a favorable prognosis. On the other hand, it allows specific therapeutic interventions for those patients at high risk of recurrence. In the future, analysis of tumor biology and prospective studies will surely improve the accuracy of recurrence risk prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Abelleira
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín (UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Córdoba 2351, 5th floor, Buenos Aires, C 1120, Argentina.
| | - Fernando Jerkovich
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín (UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Córdoba 2351, 5th floor, Buenos Aires, C 1120, Argentina
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Bang JI, Park S, Kim K, Seo Y, Chong A, Hong CM, Choi M, Lee SW, Oh SW. The Diagnostic Value of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients with Elevated Thyroglobulin/Thyroglobulin Antibody Levels and Negative Iodine Scintigraphy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Thyroid 2023; 33:1224-1236. [PMID: 37597200 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2023.0264] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in detecting recurrence in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who have negative whole-body scans (WBSs) but elevated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) or thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) levels. Methods: This systematic review/meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Diagnostic Test Accuracy criteria (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews registration number: CRD42022340924). A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases identified articles reporting the diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET/CT for the detection of recurrence in patients with DTC with negative WBS and elevated serum Tg or TgAb levels published between January 2012 and June 2023. Meta-analyses were performed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET/CT on the total target population as well as on subgroups stratified by serum Tg or TgAb, and thyrotropin (TSH) stimulation status at the time of FDG PET/CT. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) framework was applied to evaluate the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations to facilitate translation of the meta-analysis results into practical recommendations for clinical guidelines. Results: A total of 24 studies involving 1988 patients were included for analysis. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity values were 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.83-0.92; I2 = 75%) and 0.84 (CI = 0.80-0.89; I2 = 44%), respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed no significant differences in the diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET/CT in patients stratified by serum Tg or TgAb levels, and TSH stimulation status at the time of PET/CT. Treatment plans were changed following FDG PET/CT imaging in 40% (CI = 34-47%; I2 = 39%) of cases. The quality level of evidence for using FDG PET/CT was moderate in both sensitivity and specificity according to the GRADE system. Conclusion: There is moderate quality evidence demonstrating the high diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET/CT in detecting recurrence in patients with DTC with negative WBS and elevated serum Tg or TgAb levels. This evidence corroborates the current guidelines' endorsement of FDG PET/CT as a diagnostic tool in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-In Bang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohyun Park
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Keunyoung Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital and School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Pusan, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngduk Seo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong, Korea
| | - Ari Chong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Chae Moon Hong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Miyoung Choi
- Division for Healthcare Technology Assessment Research, National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang-Woo Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University, School of Medicine and Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - So Won Oh
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Hai R, Xie LJ, You Q, Wu F, Qiu GC, Zhou XY. Diagnosis of Ectopic Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Adenoma with Nodular Goiter by 18F Fluorocholine: A Case Report. EAR, NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL 2022:1455613221103082. [PMID: 35603434 DOI: 10.1177/01455613221103082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of ectopic intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma (EPTA) is very rare, which causes some difficulties in diagnosis and complicates treatment. In addition, the occurrence of EPTA with nodular goiter (NG) is rare, which makes diagnosis difficult and requires the assistance of clinical evidence, imaging data, and cytological examination results. Therefore, we present a patient with a final diagnosis of ETPA with NG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hai
- Department of Breast, Thyroid and Vessel Surgery, 609846The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lin-Jun Xie
- Department of General Surgery (Thyroid Surgery), 556508The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qian You
- Department of General Surgery (Thyroid Surgery), 556508The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Fei Wu
- Department of General Surgery (Thyroid Surgery), 556508The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Guo-Chun Qiu
- Department of Breast, Thyroid and Vessel Surgery, 609846The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiang-Yu Zhou
- Department of General Surgery (Thyroid Surgery), 556508The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Morris MA, Saboury B, Ahlman M, Malayeri AA, Jones EC, Chen CC, Millo C. Parathyroid Imaging: Past, Present, and Future. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 12:760419. [PMID: 35283807 PMCID: PMC8914059 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.760419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of parathyroid imaging is to identify all sources of excess parathyroid hormone secretion pre-operatively. A variety of imaging approaches have been evaluated and utilized over the years for this purpose. Ultrasound relies solely on structural features and is without radiation, however is limited to superficial evaluation. 4DCT and 4DMRI provide enhancement characteristics in addition to structural features and dynamic enhancement has been investigated as a way to better distinguish parathyroid from adjacent structures. It is important to recognize that 4DCT provides valuable information however results in much higher radiation dose to the thyroid gland than the other available examinations, and therefore the optimal number of phases is an area of controversy. Single-photon scintigraphy with 99mTc-Sestamibi, or dual tracer 99mTc-pertechnetate and 99mTc-sestamibi with or without SPECT or SPECT/CT is part of the standard of care in many centers with availability and expertise in nuclear medicine. This molecular imaging approach detects cellular physiology such as mitochondria content found in parathyroid adenomas. Combining structural imaging such as CT or MRI with molecular imaging in a hybrid approach allows the ability to obtain robust structural and functional information in one examination. Hybrid PET/CT is widely available and provides improved imaging and quantification over SPECT or SPECT/CT. Emerging PET imaging techniques, such as 18F-Fluorocholine, have the exciting potential to reinvent parathyroid imaging. PET/MRI may be particularly well suited to parathyroid imaging, where available, because of the ability to perform dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging and co-registered 18F-Fluorocholine PET imaging simultaneously with low radiation dose to the thyroid. A targeted agent specific for a parathyroid tissue biomarker remains to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Clara C. Chen
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Corina Millo
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Foppiani L, Sola S, Pitto F, Ansaldo G, Piccardo A. A Collision Intrathyroidal Tumor Causing Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Evidence From an 18F-Choline PET/CT Study. Clin Nucl Med 2021; 46:924-926. [PMID: 33867452 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000003650] [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: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT A 67-year-old man was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism and normofunctioning left nodular goiter. Fine-needle aspiration cytology showed thyroid (Thy) 4 (suspicious of malignancy). After first-line imaging proved negative, integrated 18F-choline PET/4D contrast-enhanced CT revealed uptake by the thyroid nodule and by 3 nodules of the left central compartment. Thyroidectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed. Histopathology revealed a collision tumor (ie, 2 histologically distinct tumors occurring at the same anatomic site) composed of both PTC (papillary thyroid carcinoma) and parathyroid carcinoma within the left thyroid nodule. Lymph nodes showed PTC metastases. Primary hyperparathyroidism and calcium levels normalized, and the patient underwent radioiodine therapy.
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Giovanella L, Bacigalupo L, Treglia G, Piccardo A. Will 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT replace other methods of preoperative parathyroid imaging? Endocrine 2021; 71:285-297. [PMID: 32892309 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-020-02487-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder usually due to hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands (HPs). Surgical removal of the HPs is the main treatment for PHPT, making the correct detection and localization of HPs crucial to guiding targeted and minimally invasive surgical treatment in patients with PHPT. To date, different imaging methods have been used to detect and localize HPs, including radiology, nuclear medicine, and hybrid techniques. METHODS The present work discusses the role and value of different imaging methods in PHPT and, particularly, evaluates the potential role of 18F-fluorcholine PET/CT as a "one-stop-shop" method for preoperative parathyroid localization in patients with PHPT. DISCUSSION Cervical ultrasound (US) and parathyroid scintigraphy using 99mTc-MIBI are the most commonly employed methods in clinical practice. More recently, four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) with radiolabeled choline have emerged as useful alternatives in cases of negative or discordant findings from first-line imaging methods. CONCLUSIONS Due to the excellent diagnostic performance of radiolabeled choline PET/CT and the low radiation burden, this technique seems to be an ideal candidate to substitute current imaging procedures including US, MIBI scintigraphy, 4D CT and MRI and perform a fast and reliable "one-stop-shop" preoperative localization of HP in patients with PHPT, including challenging cases of postoperative persistent/recurrent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Giovanella
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Lorenzo Bacigalupo
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Galliera, Genova, Italy
| | - Giorgio Treglia
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Research and Innovation Service, Academic Education, Research and Innovation Area, General Directorate, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Arnoldo Piccardo
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Galliera, Genova, Italy
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