Characterising 18F-fluciclovine uptake in breast cancer through the use of dynamic PET/CT imaging.

BACKGROUND: 18F-fluciclovine is a synthetic amino acid positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer that is approved for use in prostate cancer. In this clinical study, we characterised the kinetic model best describing the uptake of 18F-fluciclovine in breast cancer and assessed differences in tracer kinetics and static parameters for different breast cancer receptor subtypes and tumour grades. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with pathologically proven breast cancer underwent 20-min dynamic PET/computed tomography imaging following the administration of 18F-fluciclovine. Uptake into primary breast tumours was evaluated using one- and two-tissue reversible compartmental kinetic models and static parameters. RESULTS: A reversible one-tissue compartment model was shown to best describe tracer uptake in breast cancer. No significant differences were seen in kinetic or static parameters for different tumour receptor subtypes or grades. Kinetic and static parameters showed a good correlation. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-fluciclovine has potential in the imaging of primary breast cancer, but kinetic analysis may not have additional value over static measures of tracer uptake. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03036943.

Urography prior to prostatectomy.

As part of the pre-operative assessment for prostatectomy, the routine intravenous urogram continues to be requested by many practitioners. One hundred and ten patients being considered for prostatectomy underwent, prospectively, intravenous urography and trans-abdominal ultrasound. This paper specifically examines the respective contribution to management of these investigations. In 34% of patients, management was influenced in some way. This could have been achieved by ultrasound and plain abdominal radiograph alone. Additional intravenous urography would not have affected the clinical management of any patient.