FDG-PET/CT for investigation of pyrexia of unknown origin: a cost of illness analysis.

BACKGROUND: Our study aims to explore the current utilisation of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in the diagnostic pathway of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) and associated cost of illness in a large tertiary teaching hospital in Australia. METHOD: 1257 febrile patients between June 2016 and September 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 57 patients who met the inclusion criteria of "classical PUO", of which FDG-PET/CT was performed in 31 inpatients, 15 outpatients and 11 inpatients did not have an FDG-PET/CT scan. The patient demographics, clinical characteristics and inpatient cost were analysed, together with the diagnostic performance of FDG-PET/CT and impact on clinical management. RESULT: The mean age, length of stay and total cost of admission were higher for inpatients who received FDG-PET/CT versus those who did not. The median cost per patient-bed-day did not differ between the two groups. Inpatients who received earlier FDG-PET/CTs (≤ 7 days from admission) had shorter length of stays and lower total cost compared to those who received a later scan. A negative FDG-PET/CT scan, demonstrating no serious or life-threatening abnormalities resulted in subsequent discharge from hospital or outpatient clinic in 7/10 (70%) patients. There were 11/40 (28%) scans where ancillary abnormalities were identified, requiring further evaluation. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET/CT showed high diagnostic accuracy and significant impact on patient management in patients with PUO. FDG-PET/CT performed earlier in admission for PUO was associated with shorter length of stay and lower total cost.

Head-to-head comparison of cerebral blood flow single-photon emission computed tomography and 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND: Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) is only 70% accurate. Reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism in parieto-temporal and posterior cingulate cortex may assist diagnosis. While widely accepted that 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18 F-FDG PET) has superior accuracy to CBF-SPECT for AD, there are very limited head-to-head data from clinically relevant populations and these studies relied on clinical diagnosis as the reference standard. AIMS: To compare directly the accuracy of CBF-SPECT and 18 F-FDG PET in patients referred for diagnostic studies in detecting ß-amyloid PET confirmed AD. METHODS: A total of 126 patients, 56% with mild cognitive impairment and 44% with dementia, completed both CBF-SPECT and 18 F-FDG PET as part of their diagnostic assessment, and subsequently underwent ß-amyloid PET for research purposes. Transaxial slices and Neurostat 3D-SSP analyses of 18 F-FDG PET and CBF-SPECT scans were independently reviewed by five nuclear medicine clinicians blinded to all other data. Operators selected the most likely diagnosis and their diagnostic confidence. Accuracy analysis used final diagnosis incorporating ß-amyloid PET as the reference standard. RESULTS: Clinicians reported high diagnostic confidence in 83% of 18 F-FDG PET compared to 67% for CBF-SPECT (P = 0.001). All reviewers showed individually higher accuracy using 18 F-FDG PET. Based on majority read, the combined area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in diagnosing AD was 0.71 for 18 F-FDG PET and 0.61 for CBF-SPECT (P = 0.02). The sensitivity of 18 F-FDG PET and CBF-SPECT was 76% versus 43% (P < 0.001), while specificity was 74% versus 83% (P = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: 18 F-FDG PET is superior to CBF-SPECT in detecting AD among patients referred for the assessment of cognitive impairment.

Abnormalities at three musculoskeletal sites on whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography can diagnose polymyalgia rheumatica with high sensitivity and specificity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT findings in PMR and generate a diagnostic algorithm utilizing a minimum number of musculoskeletal sites. METHODS: Steroid-naïve patients with newly diagnosed PMR (2012 EULAR/ACR classification criteria) were prospectively recruited to undergo whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT. Each PMR case was age- and sex-matched to four PET/CT controls. Control scan indication, diagnosis and medical history were extracted from the clinical record. Qualitative and semi-quantitative scoring (maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax]) of abnormal 18F-FDG uptake at 21 musculoskeletal sites was undertaken for cases and controls. Results informed the development of a novel PET/CT diagnostic algorithm using a classification and regression trees (CART) method. RESULTS: Thirty-three cases met the inclusion criteria and were matched to 132 controls. Mean age was 68.6 ± 7.4 years for cases compared with 68.2 ± 7.3 for controls, and 54.5% were male. Median CRP was 49 mg/L (32-65) and ESR 41.5 mm/h (24.6-64.4) in the PMR group. The predominant control indication for PET/CT was malignancy (63.6%). Individual musculoskeletal sites proved insufficient for diagnostic purposes. A novel algorithm comprising 18F-FDG uptake ≥ 2 adjacent to the ischial tuberosities in combination with either abnormalities at the peri-articular shoulder or interspinous bursa achieved a sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 92.4% for diagnosing PMR. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of abnormal 18F-FDG uptake adjacent to the ischial tuberosities together with findings at the peri-articular shoulder or interspinous bursa on whole-body PET/CT is highly sensitive and specific for a diagnosis of PMR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, http://www.anzctr.org.au , ACTRN1261400696695.

Fusion of positron emission tomography/computed tomography with magnetic resonance imaging reveals hamstring peritendonitis in polymyalgia rheumatica.

Objectives: To characterize 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake on whole-body PET/CT in PMR, and identify its precise anatomic correlate using MRI. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed PMR according to the 2012 EULAR/ACR classification criteria were prospectively recruited. Participants with GCA were excluded. A whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT scan was performed in all untreated patients. Qualitative and semiquantitative [standardized uptake value maximum (SUVmax)] scoring of abnormal 18F-FDG uptake was undertaken. MRI of the pelvis, knee and wrist and hand was performed in three representative patients with anatomical correlation of FDG-avid sites carried out using Medview fusion software. Results: Twenty-two patients with PMR were recruited. Their mean age was 68.3 years (s.d. 6.3) and 13/22 were male. On whole-body PET/CT, 18F-FDG uptake adjacent to the ischial tuberosities was observed in 21 participants (95.4%) and recorded the highest mean SUVmax value [3.6 (s.d. 1.7)]. A high frequency of posteromedial knee (61.9%) and wrist and/or hand involvement (66.7%) was also appreciated. MRI of the pelvis revealed high T2 signal surrounding the proximal hamstring tendon origins of both semimembranosus and the conjoint tendon of the semitendinosus and biceps femoris. At the knee, peritendonitis at the distal insertion of the semimembranosus was observed. PET/MRI fusion at the pelvis and knee confirmed semimembranosus peritendonitis as the anatomical correlate of 18F-FDG uptake adjacent to the ischial tuberosities and of posteromedial knee structures. Conclusion: Hamstring peritendonitis is a common and distinctive manifestation of PMR on whole-body PET/CT. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, http://www.anzctr.org.au, ACTRN1261400696695.

Characterising polymyalgia rheumatica on whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT: an atlas.

The impact of modern imaging in uncovering the underlying pathology of PMR cannot be understated. Long dismissed as an inflammatory syndrome with links to the large vessel vasculitis giant cell arteritis (GCA), a pathognomonic pattern of musculotendinous inflammation is now attributed to PMR and may be used to confirm its diagnosis. Among the available modalities, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT is increasingly recognized for its high sensitivity and specificity, as well as added ability to detect concomitant large vessel GCA and exclude other relevant differentials like infection and malignancy. This atlas provides a contemporary depiction of PMR's pathology and outlines how this knowledge translates into a pattern of findings on whole body 18F-FDG PET/CT that can reliably confirm its diagnosis.

Imaging of giant cell arteritis - recent advances.

Imaging is increasingly being used to guide clinical decision-making in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). While ultrasound has been rapidly adopted in fast-track clinics worldwide as an alternative to temporal artery biopsy for the diagnosis of cranial disease, whole-body PET/CT is emerging as a potential gold standard test for establishing large vessel involvement. However, many unanswered questions remain about the optimal approach to imaging in GCA. For example, it is uncertain how best to monitor disease activity, given there is frequent discordance between imaging findings and conventional disease activity measures, and imaging changes typically fail to resolve completely with treatment. This chapter addresses the current body of evidence for the use of imaging modalities in GCA across the spectrum of diagnosis, monitoring disease activity, and long-term surveillance for structural changes of aortic dilatation and aneurysm formation and provides suggestions for future research directions.

A phase I biodistribution and pharmacokinetic trial of humanized monoclonal antibody Hu3s193 in patients with advanced epithelial cancers that express the Lewis-Y antigen.

PURPOSE: We report a first-in-man trial of a humanized antibody (hu3S193) against the Le(y) antigen. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients with advanced Le(y)-positive cancers received four infusions of hu3S193 at weekly intervals, with four dose levels (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/m(2)). The first infusion of hu3S193 was trace labeled with Indium-111, and biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, tumor uptake, and immune response were evaluated in all patients. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients (7 male/8 female; age range, 42-76 years; 6 breast, 8 colorectal cancer, and 1 non-small-cell lung cancer) were entered into the study. Transient grade 1 to 2 nausea and vomiting was observed following infusion of hu3S193 at the 40 mg/m(2) dose level only. There was one episode of dose-limiting toxicity with self-limiting Common Toxicity Criteria grade 3 elevated alkaline phosphatase observed in one patient with extensive liver metastases. The biodistribution of (111)In-hu3S193 showed no evidence of any consistent normal tissue uptake, and (111)In-hu3S193 uptake was observed in cutaneous, lymph node, and hepatic metastases. Hu3S193 displayed a long serum half-life (T(1/2)beta = 189.63 +/- 62.17 h). Clinical responses consisted of 4 patients with stable disease and 11 patients with progressive disease, although one patient experienced a 89% decrease in a lymph node mass, and one patient experienced inflammatory symptoms in cutaneous metastases, suggestive of a biological effect of hu3S193. No immune responses (human anti-human antibody) to hu3S193 were observed. CONCLUSION: Hu3S193 is well tolerated and selectively targets tumors, and the long half-life and biological function in vivo of this antibody makes it an attractive potential therapy for patients with Le(y)-expressing cancers.

Feasibility and accuracy of single time point imaging for renal dosimetry following 177Lu-DOTATATE ('Lutate') therapy.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess both feasibility and accuracy of renal dosimetry imaging protocols in patients receiving Lutate therapy for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), when data acquisition over multiple days is not possible on all cycles. METHOD: Patients who had received a full 4 cycles of Lutate therapy with complete imaging at each cycle were included. Imaging consisted of quantitative SPECT/CT of the kidneys at 4, 24 and 96-120 h post injection. Renal absorbed dose was calculated for each data set, and in addition, five alternative methods were explored for comparison. Method 1: a patient average clearance time (t1/2 average) derived from the first half of contributing patient data was used to estimate absorbed dose for subsequent patients based on 4 h imaging alone; method 2: t1/2 average was applied to subsequent patients on 24 h imaging alone; method 3: a patient-specific clearance rate (t1/2 patient) was determined from complete image data of cycle 1 and applied subsequently to remaining cycles using 4 h image data alone; method 4: t1/2 patient was applied to 24 h imaging alone in subsequent cycles; method 5: the 120 h data was estimated on subsequent cycles based on the cycle 1 fraction of injected activity (%IA) at 24 and 120 h. RESULTS: Twenty treatments from 18 patients, resulting in 80 cycles of therapy, were analysed. The measured average renal absorbed dose per cycle of treatment was 0.38 ± 0.19 Gy/GBq when derived from full imaging data. The use of t1/2 average applied to a single time point led to large deviations of dose estimates from true values (on average 59% and 30%, when using 4 h data and 24 h data, respectively). The use of complete image data on cycle 1 and the derivation of t1/2 patient led to improved dose estimates, with an average deviation from true values of 13% and 2% when using 4 h data only and 24 h data only, respectively. The use of a 120 h %IA derived from cycle 1 led to an average deviation from true dose estimates of 14%. CONCLUSION: In instances where demands on both patients and facilities make multiple time point data acquisition impractical, renal dosimetry is best derived through complete imaging at cycle 1 only followed by a single 24 h imaging time point on subsequent cycles, assuming no significant changes in renal function during the time course of therapy.

Long-Acting Somatostatin Analog Therapy Differentially Alters 68Ga-DOTATATE Uptake in Normal Tissues Compared with Primary Tumors and Metastatic Lesions.

Synthetic somatostatin analogs have been posed as a potential source of error in somatostatin receptor imaging through interference with tumor detection; however, experimental models and clinical studies have shown a complex mechanism of the effect of octreotide on tumors. The aim of this study was to assess whether 68Ga-DOTATATE uptake before treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogs differs from that after treatment. Methods: Thirty patients (15 men; age [mean ± SD], 64.6 ± 13.4 y) who had intermediately differentiated to well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors and who underwent 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scanning before and after receiving long-acting repeatable octreotide (Sandostatin LAR) were included in the study. The SUVmax and SUVmean of healthy target organs, residual primary tumor, and up to 5 lesions with the highest SUVmax in each organ were compared before and after octreotide treatment. Results: The mean time interval between the 2 68Ga-DOTATATE studies was 9.6 ± 7.2 mo, and the mean time gap between the last Sandostatin LAR injection and the second 68Ga-DOTATATE study was 25.1 ± 14.8 d. The pretreatment mean SUVmax and SUVmean were both significantly higher in the thyroid, liver, and spleen (P < 0.05) than the values measured after the administration of Sandostatin LAR. No significant differences were found among the uptake indices for residual primary tumor or any metastatic lesions in the liver, bone, lung, or lymph nodes before and after Sandostatin LAR administration (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Long-acting octreotide treatment diminished 68Ga-DOTATATE uptake in the liver, spleen, and thyroid but did not compromise tracer uptake in residual primary tumor and metastatic lesions. These findings have a direct impact on the interpretation of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scans.

A pilot study of monoclonal antibody cG250 and low dose subcutaneous IL-2 in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

The chimeric monoclonal antibody cG250 recognizes the CAIX/MN antigen. cG250 induces antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses in vitro that can be enhanced by IL-2. We studied the effects of adding daily low-dose subcutaneous IL-2 to cG250 for treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The primary endpoints of the trial were toxicity and immunological effects (human anti-chimeric antibodies [HACA], ADCC, natural killer [NK] and lymphokine-activated killer cell [LAK] activity); secondary endpoints were cG250 biodistribution and pharmacokinetics (PK) and tumour response rates. Eligible patients had unresectable metastatic or locally advanced clear cell RCC with measurable or evaluable disease. Nine patients were treated with six doses of cG250 (10 mg/m(2)/week, first and fifth doses trace-labelled with (131)I), and 1.25 x 10(6) IU/m(2)/day IL-2 for six weeks. Treatment was generally well tolerated with no adverse events attributable to cG250. Two patients required a 50% dose reduction of IL-2 due to toxicity. No HACA was detected. (131)I-labeled cG250 showed excellent targeting of tumour deposits. (131)I cG250 PK: T(1/2)alpha 20.16 +/- 6.59 h, T(1/2)beta 126.21 +/- 34.04 h, CL 39.67 +/- 23.06 mL/h, Cmax 5.12 +/- 0.86 microg/mL, V(1) 3.88 +/- 1.05 L. IL-2 did not affect cG250 PK. A trend for increased percentage of circulating CD3-/CD16+CD56+ NK cells was observed. Some patients showed enhanced ADCC or LAK activity. No antitumour responses were observed. In conclusion, weekly cG250 with daily low-dose subcutaneous IL-2 is well tolerated. IL-2 does not influence cG250 biodistribution or increase HACA.

Lack of correlation of hypoxic cell fraction and angiogenesis with glucose metabolic rate in non-small cell lung cancer assessed by 18F-Fluoromisonidazole and 18F-FDG PET.

UNLABELLED: PET offers a noninvasive means to assess neoplasms, in view of its sensitivity and accuracy in staging tumors and potentially in monitoring treatment response. The aim of this study was to evaluate newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for the presence of hypoxia, as indicated by the uptake of (18)F-Fluoromisonidazole ((18)F-FMISO), and to examine the relationship of hypoxia to the uptake of (18)F-FDG, microvessel density, and other molecular markers of hypoxia. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with suspected or biopsy-proven NSCLC were enrolled prospectively in this study. All patients had PET studies with (18)F-FMISO and (18)F-FDG. Seventeen patients subsequently underwent surgery, with analysis performed for tumor markers of angiogenesis and hypoxia. RESULTS: In the 17 patients with resectable NSCLC (13 men, 4 women; age range, 51-77 y), the mean (18)F-FMISO uptake in tumor was significantly lower than that of (18)F-FDG uptake (P < 0.0001) and showed no correlation with (18)F-FDG uptake (r = 0.26). The mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) (18)F-FMISO SUV(max) (maximum standardized uptake value) was 1.20 [0.95-1.45] compared with the mean [95% CI] (18)F-FDG SUV(max) of 5.99 [4.62-7.35]. The correlation between (18)F-FMISO uptake, (18)F-FDG uptake, and tumor markers of hypoxia and angiogenesis was poor. A weakly positive correlation between (18)F-FMISO and (18)F-FDG uptake and Ki67 was found. CONCLUSION: The hypoxic cell fraction of primary NSCLC is consistently low, and there is no significant correlation in NSCLC between hypoxia and glucose metabolism in NSCLC assessed by (18)F-FDG. These findings have direct implications in understanding the role of angiogenesis and hypoxia in NSCLC biology.

Phase I trial of 131I-huA33 in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Humanized monoclonal antibody A33 (huA33) targets the A33 antigen which is expressed on 95% of colorectal cancers. A previous study has shown excellent tumor-targeting of iodine-131 labeled huA33 (131I-huA33). Therefore, we did a phase I dose escalation trial of 131I-huA33 radioimmunotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS: Fifteen patients with pretreated metastatic colorectal carcinoma each received two i.v. doses of 131I-huA33. The first was an outpatient trace-labeled "scout" dose for biodistribution assessment, followed by a second "therapy" dose. Three patients were treated at 20, 30, and 40 mCi/m2 dose levels, and six patients at 50 mCi/m2 to define the maximum tolerated dose. RESULTS: Hematologic toxicity was 131I dose-dependent, with one episode of grade 4 neutropenia and two episodes of grade 3 thrombocytopenia observed at 50 mCi/m2. The maximum tolerated dose was determined to be 40 mCi/m2. There were no acute infusion-related adverse events, and gastrointestinal toxicity was not observed despite uptake of 131I-huA33 in bowel. Seven patients developed pruritus or rash, which was not related to 131I dose. There was excellent tumor-targeting of 131I-huA33 shown in all patients. The serum T1/2beta of 131I-huA33 was (mean +/- SD) 135.2 +/- 46.9 hours. The mean absorbed tumor dose was 6.49 +/- 2.47 Gy/GBq. Four patients developed human anti-human antibodies. At restaging, 4 patients had stable disease, whereas 11 patients had progressive disease. CONCLUSION: Radioimmunotherapy using 131I-huA33 shows promise in targeting colorectal tumors, and is deliverable at a maximum tolerated dose of 40 mCi/m2. Further studies of 131I-huA33 in combination with chemotherapy are planned.

Estimating glomerular filtration rate: Performance of the CKD-EPI equation over time in patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: To assess the performance of the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation at baseline and longitudinally in people with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Adults with type 2 diabetes attending Austin Health, Melbourne, with≥3 prospective GFR measurements were included in this retrospective study. Plasma disappearance rate of DTPA (diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid) was used to calculate measured GFR (mGFR) and compared to estimated GFR (eGFR). The agreement between mGFR and eGFR was estimated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: 152 patients had a median of 4 (IQR: 3, 5) mGFR measurements over a period of 11years (IQR: 9, 12). The difference between mGFR and eGFR increased proportionally to the magnitude of the GFR, increasing by 0.2ml/min/1.73m(2) for every 1ml/min/1.73m(2) increase in mGFR, indicative of proportional bias. At lower mGFR levels, eGFR overestimated mGFR, and at higher mGFR levels, eGFR underestimated mGFR. There was a significant association between LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c, diastolic blood pressure and the difference between mGFR and eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: The CKD-EPI formula underestimates mGFR and the rate of decline of mGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes with an mGFR greater than 60ml/min/1.73m(2). The association between LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c, diastolic blood pressure and the difference between mGFR and eGFR warrants further study.

Targeted chemoradiation in metastatic colorectal cancer: a phase I trial of 131I-huA33 with concurrent capecitabine.

UNLABELLED: huA33 is a humanized antibody that targets the A33 antigen, which is highly expressed in intestinal epithelium and more than 95% of human colon cancers but not other normal tissues. Previous studies have shown huA33 can target and be retained in a metastatic tumor for 6 wk but eliminated from normal colonocytes within days. This phase I study used radiolabeled huA33 in combination with capecitabine to target chemoradiation to metastatic colorectal cancer. The primary objective was safety and tolerability of the combination of capecitabine and (131)I-huA33. Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, immunogenicity, and tumor response were also assessed. METHODS: Eligibility included measurable metastatic colorectal cancer, adequate hematologic and biochemical function, and informed consent. An outpatient scout (131)I-huA33 dose was followed by a single-therapy infusion 1 wk later, when capecitabine was commenced. Dose escalation occurred over 5 dose levels. Patients were evaluated weekly, with tumor response assessment at the end of the 12-wk trial. Tumor targeting was assessed using a γ camera and SPECT imaging. RESULTS: Nineteen eligible patients were enrolled. The most frequently observed toxicity included myelosuppression, gastrointestinal symptoms, and asymptomatic hyperbilirubinemia. Biodistribution analysis demonstrated excellent tumor targeting of the known tumor sites, expected transient bowel uptake, but no other normal tissue uptake. (131)I-huA33 demonstrated a mean terminal half-life and serum clearance suited to radioimmunotherapy (T1/2ß, 100.24 ± 20.92 h, and clearance, 36.72 ± 8.01 mL/h). The mean total tumor dose was 13.8 ± 7.6 Gy (range, 5.1-26.9 Gy). One patient had a partial response, and 10 patients had stable disease. CONCLUSION: (131)I-huA33 achieves specific targeting of radiotherapy to colorectal cancer metastases and can be safely combined with chemotherapy, providing an opportunity to deliver chemoradiation specifically to metastatic disease in colorectal cancer patients.

Pharmacodynamic analysis of tumour perfusion assessed by 15O-water-PET imaging during treatment with sunitinib malate in patients with advanced malignancies.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated pharmacodynamic changes in tumour perfusion using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 15O-water to assess biological response to sunitinib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor. METHODS: Patients with advanced malignancies received sunitinib 50 mg/day orally, once daily for 4 weeks on treatment, followed by 2 weeks off treatment, in repeated 6-week cycles. Quantitative measurement of tumour perfusion was assessed using 15O-water-PET at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment. At least one reference tumour lesion was included in the fields of view and assessed at both time points. Patients also underwent 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET imaging at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Radiological response of the reference tumour lesion and overall radiological response were assessed at week 12. Serum pharmacokinetic and biomarker analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Data were available for seven patients. Compared with baseline, all patients experienced a decrease in reference tumour blood flow ranging from 20 % to 85 % and also a reduction in the FDG standard uptake value ranging from 29 % to 67 %. Six patients experienced a partial metabolic response based on FDG-PET criteria. Four patients had stable disease defined by radiological response (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) lasting between 4 and 12 cycles. An association between perfusion change and clinical benefit, and biomarker levels including vascular endothelial growth factor was observed. CONCLUSION: Administering sunitinib to patients with advanced malignancies is associated with early biological responses, including decreased blood flow in secondary tumour deposits.

The use of PET in assessing tumor response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the correlation of 18F-FDG-PET (PET) response to pathological response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) for locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were identified between 2001 and 2005. The median age was 57 years (range 37-72) with 14 males and 6 females. All patients were staged with endorectal ultrasound and/or MRI, CT, and PET. The clinical staging was T3N0M0 (16), T3N1M0 (2), and T3N0M1 (2). Restaging PET was performed after CRT, and prior to definitive surgery. The response on PET and pathology was assessed and correlated. Patient outcome according to PET response was also assessed. RESULTS: Following CRT, a complete PET response occurred in 7 patients, incomplete response in 10, and no response in 3 patients. At surgery, complete pathological response was recorded in 7 patients, incomplete response in 10 and no response in 3. There was a good correlation of PET and pathological responses in complete responders (5/7 cases) and non-responders (3/3 cases). After a median follow-up of 62 months (range 7-73), twelve patients were alive with no evidence of disease. All patients achieving complete metabolic response were alive with no evidence of disease, while as those who had no metabolic response, all died as a result of metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: PET is a promising complementary assessment tool for assessing tumor response after CRT if there is a complete or no response. PET response may also predict for outcome.

A phase I clinical trial with monoclonal antibody ch806 targeting transitional state and mutant epidermal growth factor receptors.

An array of cell-surface antigens expressed by human cancers have been identified as targets for antibody-based therapies. The great majority of these antibodies do not have specificity for cancer but recognize antigens expressed on a range of normal cell types (differentiation antigens). Over the past two decades, our group has analyzed thousands of mouse monoclonal antibodies for cancer specificity and identified a battery of antibodies with limited representation on normal human cells. The most tumor-specific of these antibodies is 806, an antibody that detects a unique epitope on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that is exposed only on overexpressed, mutant, or ligand-activated forms of the receptor in cancer. In vitro immunohistochemical specificity analysis shows little or no detectable 806 reactivity with normal tissues, even those with high levels of wild-type (wt)EGFR expression. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that 806 specifically targets a subset of EGFR expressed on tumor cells, and has significant anti-tumor effects on human tumor xenografts, primarily through abrogation of signaling pathways. The present clinical study was designed to examine the in vivo specificity of a chimeric form of mAb 806 (ch806) in a tumor targeting/biodistribution/pharmacokinetic analysis in patients with diverse tumor types. ch806 showed excellent targeting of tumor sites in all patients, no evidence of normal tissue uptake, and no significant toxicity. These in vitro and in vivo characteristics of ch806 distinguish it from all other antibodies targeting EGFR.

Assessing regional hypoxia in human renal tumours using 18F-fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess renal tumours for hypoxic regions using 18F-fluoromisonidazole (18F-FMISO) positron emission tomography (PET), a recognized noninvasive method for detecting hypoxia in tumours, as renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can be potentially cured with nephrectomy but recurrence develops in most patients, who then respond poorly to treatments such as chemotherapy, and hypoxia is known to confer resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in many solid tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 17 patients had 18F-FMISO PET scans before nephrectomy for presumed RCC. Specimens were examined histologically, and immunohistochemistry was used to compare the microvessel density (MVD) as an indicator of angiogenesis in the tumour and normal parenchyma, in 15 patients. Tumour oxygenation was measured invasively in three patients using a polarographic oxygen sensor probe. RESULTS: Of the 15 patients with histological results, 11 had RCC and four had other tumours. Although there was a trend there was no statistically significant (P = 0.14) difference in the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) when comparing the region of the kidney involved with RCC; the mean (95% confidence interval) SUV(max) in the tumours was 1.3 (0.15), whilst that in the normal contralateral kidney was 1.1 (0.22). The MVD was greater in RCC, at 13.7 (3.1) mean vessels per high-power field than in normal tissue, at 6.9 (1.9). Hypoxia as measured polarographically was detected in three RCCs (median pO2 9.6 mmHg) compared to normal parenchyma at 37.6 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Although 18F-FMISO scans showed significant uptake in other solid tumours, there was only mild 18F-FMISO uptake in the present RCCs. The invasive measurements indicated that there was hypoxia in RCC, but the median pO2 did not fall below 9.5 mmHg. Further direct studies of renal tumour oxygenation combined with therapies directed towards hypoxia may allow a better understanding of the relationship between 18F-FMISO results and the biological significance of hypoxia in RCC.