Current practice in intermediate risk differentiated thyroid cancer - a review.

Although the overall prognosis for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is excellent, a subset of patients will experience disease recurrence or may not respond to standard treatments. In recent years, DTC management has become more personalized in order to enhance treatment efficacy and avoid unnecessary interventions.In this context, major guidelines recommend post-surgery staging to assess the risk of disease persistence, recurrence, and mortality. Consequently, risk stratification becomes pivotal in determining the necessity of postoperative adjuvant therapy, which may include radioiodine therapy (RIT), the degree of TSH suppression, additional imaging studies, and the frequency of follow-up.However, the intermediate risk of recurrence is a highly heterogeneous category that encompasses various risk criteria, often combined, resulting in varying degrees of aggressiveness and a recurrence risk ranging from 5 to 20%. Furthermore, there is not enough long-term prognosis data for these patients. Unlike low- and high-risk DTC, the available literature is contradictory, and there is no consensus regarding adjuvant therapy.We aim to provide an overview of intermediate-risk differentiated thyroid cancer, focusing on criteria to consider when deciding on adjuvant therapy in the current context of personalized approach, including molecular analysis to enhance the accuracy of patient management.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a complementary treatment in neuroblastoma - a narrative review.

Neuroblastoma is the most frequently diagnosed cancer during the first year of life. This neoplasm originates from neural crest cells derived from the sympathetic nervous system, adrenal medulla, or paraspinal ganglia. The clinical presentation can vary from an asymptomatic mass to symptoms resulting from local invasion and/or spread of distant disease spread. The natural history of neuroblastoma is highly variable, ranging from relatively indolent biological behavior to a high-risk clinical phenotype with a dismal prognosis. Age, stage, and biological features are important prognostic risk stratification and treatment assignment prognostic factors. The multimodal therapy approach includes myeloablative chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and aggressive surgical resection. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been proposed as a complementary measure to overcome tumor hypoxia, which is considered one of the hallmarks of this cancer treatment resistance. This article aims to review the relevant literature on the neuroblastoma pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and different biological and genetic profiles, and to discuss its management, focusing on HBOT.

Analysis of treatment effect of 125I seed implantation in patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of 125I seed implantation in the treatment of radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC). Methods:Fourteen patients (8 males, 6 females, age: (62.0±10.7) years) with RAIR-DTC confirmed by pathology or imaging examination in the Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College between July 2017 and March 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were treated with 125I seed implantation guided by CT. Ultrasound, CT, 125I-SPECT/CT or MRI were performed at 1.5, 3, 6 and 12 months after the implantation to evaluate the changes of lesion volume, and serum thyroglobulin (Tg), as well as symptom relief were monitored and recorded. The paired t-test was used for data analysis. Results:The 125I seeds were successfully implanted (16 operations) in 14 patients with 25 lesions. Patients were followed up for 3-44 months (median: 6.5(4.5, 11.5) months). The total effective rate was 60.0%(15/25) and the total local control rate was 96.0%(24/25). The effective rate for metastatic lymph nodes was 10/17, and the local control rate was 16/17. The effective rate and the local control rate for local recurrence were 1/3 and 3/3 respectively, and those for bone metastasis were both 3/3, those for sinus metastasis were 0/1 and 1/1 respectively, and those for lung metastasis were both 1/1. In 8 patients with clinical symptoms, symtoms of 4 cases were completely relieved, those of 3 cases were partially relieved and 1 case had no remission. The Tg level and the tumor length were both decreased after operation ((245.99±44.85) μg/L vs (330.38±50.78) μg/L, t=2.92, P=0.010; (2.71±0.34) cm vs (3.78±0.27) cm, t=3.13, P=0.007). Conclusions:125I seed implantation, as a supplementary treatment for RAIR-DTC, is safe and effective. It has a good effect against metastatic and local recurrent lesions.

Effect of using 131I therapy or not after thyroidectomy in patients with intermediate-risk differentiated thyroid cancer / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

The main goal of radioactive iodine (RAI) administrated for patients with indeterminate-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is removing occult microscopic residual disease after a total thyroidectomy, aiming to reduce recurrence and metastasis, then to improve disease-free survival. This treatment is called as adjuvant therapy, which also ablates the remnant thyroid tissue together. According to the current thyroid cancer management guidelines (2015 American Thyroid Association management guidelines), intermediate-risk patients can be selectively administered RAI. By reviewing articles about DTC patients with indeterminate-risk who underwent RAI or not after thyroidectomy, this article shows that there are inconsistent opinions on 131I decreasing recurrence and improving survival. In addition, apart from unexplained hyperthyroglobulinemia as an indication for 131I therapy, no other uniform clinicalpathological characteristics are recommended.

Application value of psTg combined with lymph node ratio in prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer patients treated with 131I / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To explore the value of pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin (psTg) before 131I treatment combined with lymph node ratio (LNR) in predicting 131I treatment response in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods:From January 2016 to December 2018, 178 PTC patients (47 males, 131 females; age (43.2±12.6) years) treated with 131I in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. According to 131I treatment response, patients were divided into excellent response (ER) group and non-ER group. The clinical data of the two groups were compared by χ2 test, independent-sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test. The cut-off values and AUCs of psTg and LNR to predict treatment response were calculated according to the ROC curve. Factors affecting 131I treatment response were analyzed by logistic multivariate regression analysis. Results:There were 118 patients (66.3%, 118/178) in ER group and 60 patients (33.7%, 60/178) in non-ER group, and there were significant differences in N stage ( χ2=11.15, P=0.004), 131I treatment dose ( χ2=12.65, P<0.001), American Thyroid Association (ATA) initial risk stratification ( χ2=15.25, P<0.001), number of metastatic lymph nodes ( χ2=22.63, P<0.001), LNR ( U=1 506.00, P<0.001) and psTg ( U=919.00, P<0.001) between the two groups. The cut-off values of psTg and LNR predicting ER were 3.97 μg/L and 0.29, with the AUC of 0.870 and 0.787 respectively. PsTg (odds ratio ( OR)=10.88, 95% CI: 4.67-25.36, P<0.001) and LNR ( OR=5.30, 95% CI: 1.85-15.23, P=0.002) were independent factors to predict 131I treatment response in PTC patients. When psTg≥3.97 μg/L, LNR ( OR=9.40, 95% CI: 2.06-42.92, P=0.004) was an independent factor affecting 131I treatment response in PTC patients. Conclusions:PsTg and LNR are independent factors affecting 131I treatment response in PTC patients. When psTg≥3.97 μg/L, LNR can be used as a supplementary factor to predict 131I treatment response. The combination of psTg and LNR can better predict 131I treatment response in PTC patients.

Lenvatinib and sorafenib for differentiated thyroid cancer after radioactive iodine: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer is a rare cancer, accounting for only 1% of all malignancies in England and Wales. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) accounts for ≈94% of all thyroid cancers. Patients with DTC often require treatment with radioactive iodine. Treatment for DTC that is refractory to radioactive iodine [radioactive iodine-refractory DTC (RR-DTC)] is often limited to best supportive care (BSC). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of lenvatinib (Lenvima®; Eisai Ltd, Hertfordshire, UK) and sorafenib (Nexar®; Bayer HealthCare, Leverkusen, Germany) for the treatment of patients with RR-DTC. DATA SOURCES: EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, The Cochrane Library and EconLit were searched (date range 1999 to 10 January 2017; searched on 10 January 2017). The bibliographies of retrieved citations were also examined. REVIEW METHODS: We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, prospective observational studies and economic evaluations of lenvatinib or sorafenib. In the absence of relevant economic evaluations, we constructed a de novo economic model to compare the cost-effectiveness of lenvatinib and sorafenib with that of BSC. RESULTS: Two RCTs were identified: SELECT (Study of [E7080] LEnvatinib in 131I-refractory differentiated Cancer of the Thyroid) and DECISION (StuDy of sorafEnib in loCally advanced or metastatIc patientS with radioactive Iodine-refractory thyrOid caNcer). Lenvatinib and sorafenib were both reported to improve median progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo: 18.3 months (lenvatinib) vs. 3.6 months (placebo) and 10.8 months (sorafenib) vs. 5.8 months (placebo). Patient crossover was high (≥ 75%) in both trials, confounding estimates of overall survival (OS). Using OS data adjusted for crossover, trial authors reported a statistically significant improvement in OS for patients treated with lenvatinib compared with those given placebo (SELECT) but not for patients treated with sorafenib compared with those given placebo (DECISION). Both lenvatinib and sorafenib increased the incidence of adverse events (AEs), and dose reductions were required (for > 60% of patients). The results from nine prospective observational studies and 13 systematic reviews of lenvatinib or sorafenib were broadly comparable to those from the RCTs. Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) data were collected only in DECISION. We considered the feasibility of comparing lenvatinib with sorafenib via an indirect comparison but concluded that this would not be appropriate because of differences in trial and participant characteristics, risk profiles of the participants in the placebo arms and because the proportional hazard assumption was violated for five of the six survival outcomes available from the trials. In the base-case economic analysis, using list prices only, the cost-effectiveness comparison of lenvatinib versus BSC yields an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained of £65,872, and the comparison of sorafenib versus BSC yields an ICER of £85,644 per QALY gained. The deterministic sensitivity analyses show that none of the variations lowered the base-case ICERs to < £50,000 per QALY gained. LIMITATIONS: We consider that it is not possible to compare the clinical effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of lenvatinib and sorafenib. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo/BSC, treatment with lenvatinib or sorafenib results in an improvement in PFS, objective tumour response rate and possibly OS, but dose modifications were required to treat AEs. Both treatments exhibit estimated ICERs of > £50,000 per QALY gained. Further research should include examination of the effects of lenvatinib, sorafenib and BSC (including HRQoL) for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, and the positioning of treatments in the treatment pathway. STUDY REGISTRATION: This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42017055516. FUNDING: The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM?: Differentiated thyroid cancer is a common type of thyroid cancer. For many patients, radioactive iodine is an effective treatment; however, for some patients, the treatment stops working or becomes unsafe. Two new drugs, lenvatinib (Lenvima®; Eisai Ltd, Hertfordshire, UK) and sorafenib (Nexar®; Bayer HealthCare, Leverkusen, Germany), may be new treatment options. WHAT DID WE DO?: We reviewed the clinical evidence of lenvatinib and sorafenib. We also estimated the costs and benefits of treatment. WHAT DID WE FIND?: Compared with no treatment, treatment with lenvatinib or sorafenib may increase the time that people live with thyroid cancer before their disease gets worse; however, both drugs are expensive and may have unpleasant side effects. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?: At their published (undiscounted) prices, lenvatinib or sorafenib may not be considered to provide good value for money to the NHS.

Factors influencing the short-term efficacy of CT-guided 125I seeds implantation in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic tumors of head and neck / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective@#To analyze the factors influencing the short-term efficacy of CT-guided 125I seeds implantation in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic tumors in head and neck.@*Methods@#A total of 73 patients (61 males, 12 females; age: (59.1±11.5) years) with head and neck tumors recurrence and metastasis treated by 125I seeds implantation in Hebei General Hospital from January 2015 to April 2019 were retrospectively enrolled. The implanted seeds activity was 11.1-29.6 MBq, and the prescription dose was 80.0-145.0 Gy. CT examination was conducted 3 months after 125I seeds implantation. According to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1, short-term efficacy was classified as effective (complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR)) and ineffective (stable disease (SD), progressive disease (PD)). Univariate analysis of factors affecting short-term effect (gender, age, history of radiation therapy, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores, pathological type, the longest diameter of tumor, implantation patterns, seeds activity, immediate postoperative dose delivered to 90% gross tumor volume (D90), and with adjuvant chemotherapy post-surgery or not) were conducted. Variables with P<0.2 were enrolled in logistic multivariate regression analysis. In addition, artificial neural network (ANN) was constructed with all influencing factors as independent variables and short-term efficacy as dependent variables. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for the common influencing factors in logistic regression analysis and ANN analysis.@*Results@#There were 34 with effective results and 39 with ineffective results. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the longest diameter of tumor, immediate postoperative D90, with adjuvant chemotherapy post-surgery or not had significant impacts on the short-term efficacy (Wald values: 6.950, 4.804, 4.790, all P<0.05); According to results of ANN analysis, the top 5 in order of importance for short-term efficacy prediction were immediate postoperative D90, the longest diameter of tumor, age, seeds activity and gender. ROC curve analysis indicated that the longest diameter of tumor and immediate postoperative D90 were the best predictors for short-term efficacy, with the threshold of 5.25 cm and 110.05 Gy respectively, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.843 and 0.847 respectively (both P<0.001).@*Conclusions@#The short-term efficacy of 125I seeds implantation in the recurrence and metastasis of head and neck tumors is mainly related to the longest diameter of tumor and immediate postoperative D90. Patients with the longest diameter of tumor <5.25 cm and with D90>110.05 Gy can achieve better efficacy.

Factors influencing the short-term efficacy of CT-guided 125I seeds implantation in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic tumors of head and neck / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To analyze the factors influencing the short-term efficacy of CT-guided 125I seeds implantation in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic tumors in head and neck.Methods A total of 73 patients (61 males,12 females;age:(59.1±11.5) years) with head and neck tumors recurrence and metastasis treated by 125I seeds implantation in Hebei General Hospital from January 2015 to April 2019 were retrospectively enrolled.The implanted seeds activity was 11.1-29.6 MBq,and the prescription dose was 80.0-145.0 Gy.CT examination was conducted 3 months after 125I seeds implantation.According to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1,short-term efficacy was classified as effective (complete remission (CR),partial remission (PR)) and ineffective (stable disease (SD),progressive disease (PD)).Univariate analysis of factors affecting short-term effect (gender,age,history of radiation therapy,Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores,pathological type,the longest diameter of tumor,implantation patterns,seeds activity,immediate postoperative dose delivered to 90％ gross tumor volume (D90),and with adjuvant chemotherapy post-surgery or not) were conducted.Variables with P＜ 0.2 were enrolled in logistic multivariate regression analysis.In addition,artificial neural network (ANN) was constructed with all influencing factors as independent variables and short-term efficacy as dependent variables.Finally,receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for the common influencing factors in logistic regression analysis and ANN analysis.Results There were 34 with effective results and 39 with ineffective results.Logistic regression analysis indicated that the longest diameter of tumor,immediate postoperative D90,with adjuvant chemotherapy post-surgery or not had significant impacts on the shortterm efficacy (Wald values:6.950,4.804,4.790,all P＜0.05);According to results of ANN analysis,the top 5 in order of importance for short-term efficacy prediction were immediate postoperative D90,the longest diameter of tumor,age,seeds activity and gender.ROC curve analysis indicated that the longest diameter of tumor and immediate postoperative D90 were the best predictors for short-term efficacy,with the threshold of 5.25 cm and 110.05 Gy respectively,and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.843 and 0.847 respectively (both P＜0.001).Conclusions The short-term efficacy of 125I seeds implantation in the recurrence and metastasis of head and neck tumors is mainly related to the longest diameter of tumor and immediate postoperative D90.Patients with the longest diameter of tumor ＜5.25 cm and with D90＞110.05 Gy can achieve better efficacy.

Comparison of I-131 Biokinetics after Recombinant Human TSH Stimulation and Thyroid Hormone Withdrawal Measured by External Detector in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

The aim of this study was to compare radioactive iodine (I-131) biokinetics after recombinant human TSH stimulation (rhTSH) and thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). External effective dose rates were measured using external detectors and imaged quantitatively at the time of discharge from the isolation wards. We retrospectively analyzed 32 patients who had been diagnosed with DTC, papillary or follicular, and underwent remnant ablation after either rhTSH stimulation (n=22) or THW (n=10). The uptake of I-131 by remnant thyroid tissue was measured from 20.0 cm, 100.0 cm and 200.0 cm distances using a handheld external detector. The remnant thyroid tissue measured by the whole body images two to five days from administration was 10.7+26.0% (range 0.5 to 60.0%). The values measured at 20 cm were best correlated to the thyroid residual uptake measured by SPECT/CT. The half-lives of I-131washout (T1/2) in rhTSH group measured by external detector were shorter than those of THW group. T1/2 becomes longer when it was measured over longer distances. They were 10.9, 12.3 and 13.1 hours at distances of 20, 100, and 200 cm in rhTSH group, respectively. The TWH group showed 12.8, 14.9 and 17.7 hours, respectively. We conclude that I-131 biokinetics can be measured by external detector after high dose I-131 therapy for DTC. It showed that washout of I-131 was faster after rhTSH stimulation than THW, and slower in patients with distant metastasis than those without metastasis.

Comparison of I-131 Biokinetics after Recombinant Human TSH Stimulation and Thyroid Hormone Withdrawal Measured by External Detector in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer / 전남의대학술지

The aim of this study was to compare radioactive iodine (I-131) biokinetics after recombinant human TSH stimulation (rhTSH) and thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). External effective dose rates were measured using external detectors and imaged quantitatively at the time of discharge from the isolation wards. We retrospectively analyzed 32 patients who had been diagnosed with DTC, papillary or follicular, and underwent remnant ablation after either rhTSH stimulation (n=22) or THW (n=10). The uptake of I-131 by remnant thyroid tissue was measured from 20.0 cm, 100.0 cm and 200.0 cm distances using a handheld external detector. The remnant thyroid tissue measured by the whole body images two to five days from administration was 10.7+26.0% (range 0.5 to 60.0%). The values measured at 20 cm were best correlated to the thyroid residual uptake measured by SPECT/CT. The half-lives of I-131washout (T1/2) in rhTSH group measured by external detector were shorter than those of THW group. T1/2 becomes longer when it was measured over longer distances. They were 10.9, 12.3 and 13.1 hours at distances of 20, 100, and 200 cm in rhTSH group, respectively. The TWH group showed 12.8, 14.9 and 17.7 hours, respectively. We conclude that I-131 biokinetics can be measured by external detector after high dose I-131 therapy for DTC. It showed that washout of I-131 was faster after rhTSH stimulation than THW, and slower in patients with distant metastasis than those without metastasis.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Subsequent Malignant Neoplasm Risk After Radioactive Iodine Treatment of Thyroid Cancer.

Background: The potential risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) after radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment of thyroid cancer (TC) is an important concern. Methods: A systematic review was updated comparing the risk of SMNs in TC patients treated with RAI to TC patients without RAI. Six electronic databases were searched (up to March, 2018), supplemented with a hand search. Two reviewers independently screened citations, reviewed full-text papers, and critically appraised/abstracted data. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using crude data and data statistically adjusted for confounders. The outcomes were any SMN and specific SMNs for which sufficient data were available. Results: In total, 3506 unique electronic search citations and 93 full-text papers were examined, including 17 studies (3 systematic reviews and 14 original studies). Published knowledge syntheses were limited by inclusion of small numbers of studies, with two systematic reviews suggesting an increased risk of any SMN and one meta-analysis suggesting a reduced risk of breast SMN after RAI treatment. In a meta-analysis of crude data, the risk ratio of any SMN in RAI-treated TC patients was 0.98 ([confidence interval (CI) 0.76-1.27]; n = 10 studies of 65,539 individuals, heterogeneity Q = 64.26, degrees of freedom [df] = 9, p < 0.001, I2 = 85.99). The pooled risk ratio for any SMN, adjusted for confounders, was 1.16 ([CI 0.97-1.39]; n = 6 studies, data from at least 11,241 TC patients, Q = 10.86, df = 5, p = 0.054, I2 = 53.96). In secondary analyses examining specific SMNs, although relatively rare, the risk of subsequent leukemia was increased, but the risk of multiple myeloma was reduced in RAI-treated TC patients. There was no significant increased relative risk of breast cancer, salivary cancer, or combined hematologic malignancies according to RAI treatment status. Conclusions: The body of evidence on whether 131I treatment of thyroid cancer is associated with the primary outcome of any SMN is highly heterogeneous and complex. More research examining the long-term risk of specific SMNs after 131I treatment is needed.

Intermediate-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Risk Factors for Early Recurrence in Patients with Excellent Response to Initial Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with excellent response to initial therapy have a low rate of tumor recurrence. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the rate of early tumor recurrence in patients with intermediate-risk papillary thyroid cancer who had an excellent response to initial treatment and to identify risk factors. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 217 patients with American Thyroid Association intermediate-risk papillary thyroid cancer who had a documented excellent response to initial treatment (total thyroidectomy and adjuvant therapy with 100-150 mCi [3.7-5.5 GBq] of radioactive iodine [RAI]). The assessed outcome was recurrence, defined as new evidence of disease after any disease-free period. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression models were used to determine the factors associated with recurrence upon recording clinical, surgical, and pathology variables. RESULTS: Sixteen (7.4%) cases of recurrent disease were documented after a median follow-up period of 42 months (range 17-88 months). Structural recurrence was documented in 10 (62.5%) patients, and biochemical recurrence was documented in the remaining six patients. The logistic regression model identified a significant association between early recurrence and pN1b involvement (odds ratio [OR] = 10.81 [confidence interval (CI) 1.87-62.59]), lateral neck RAI uptake (OR = 6.06 [CI 1.67-22]), and pre-ablation thyroglobulin >10 ng/mL (OR = 4.01 [CI 1.16-13.85]). Variables that proved significant in the Cox regression model were: pN1b involvement (hazard ratio = 9.6 [CI 1.91-48.52]) and lateral neck RAI uptake (hazard ratio = 5.95 [CI 1.86-18.97]). CONCLUSION: The observed early recurrence rate of 7.4% is uncharacteristically high for a population of patients who had an excellent response to initial treatment. The significant association that was found between recurrent disease and lateral neck lymph node metastasis, lateral neck I131 uptake in post-therapy whole-body scan, and pre-ablation thyroglobulin levels >10 ng/mL indicates that early recurrence (<5 years) most likely indicates progression of micrometastatic disease already present at diagnosis and unsuccessfully eradicated with initial therapy.

Low- and high-dose radioiodine therapy for low-/intermediate-risk differentiated thyroid cancer: a preliminary clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the ablation results, therapeutic responses and adverse reactions between a low dose (1.1 GBq) or high dose (3.7 GBq) of 131I in low-/intermediate-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients. The factors influencing the ablation result and therapeutic response were also analyzed. METHODS: The researchers used a random number table to randomly assign the enrolled patients to the low-dose group or high-dose group at a 1:1 ratio, and assessment of ablation result, therapeutic response, and adverse reactions evaluated 6 ± 3 months after therapy. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were enrolled in the study through October 2014-June 2015. Until February 2016, 132 patients completed the trial. 99 patients were re-examined under thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation 3-9 months after 131I therapy. For the low-dose and high-dose groups, the success rates of ablation were 52.7 % (29/55) and 59.1 % (26/44), respectively. The ablation results did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = 0.548). One hundred and thirty two patients were re-examined 2-9 months after 131I therapy. The low-dose group had an excellent response rate of ~80 % (53/66), an indeterminate response rate of ~20 % (13/66), and no cases with a biochemical incomplete response. The high-dose group had an excellent response rate of ~85 % (56/66), an indeterminate response rate of ~11 % (7/66), and a biochemical incomplete response rate of ~4 % (3/66). No significant differences in the therapeutic response were observed between the two groups (P = 0.087). Patients in stage N1b had a significantly lower success rate of ablation than those in stage N0 (P = 0.000). The success rate of ablation increased significantly with lower thyroglobulin (Tg) levels (P = 0.000). A pre-treatment Tg level was significantly associated with a higher excellent response rate (P = 0.002). Pre-treatment-stimulated Tg of 0.47 and 3.09 µg/L were identified as cut-off values for predicting the ablation result and therapeutic response, respectively. The incidences of adverse reactions were 18 % (12/66) and 39 % (26/66) in the low-dose and high-dose groups, respectively, and this difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The result of thyroid remnant ablation and the response to therapy did not differ significantly between the two groups. The low-dose group had a lower incidence of adverse reactions than the high-dose group. N1b and pre-treatment-stimulated Tg were factors influencing the ablation result, whereas pre-treatment-stimulated Tg was a factor influencing the therapeutic response. Pre-treatment-stimulated Tg of 0.47 and 3.09 µg/L were identified as cut-off values for predicting the ablation result and therapeutic response, respectively. The study protocol was approved by the Clinical Trials and Biomedical Ethics Committee of our hospital and registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry under the registration number ChiCTR-IOR-15006139.

Benefits of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma in different risk stratification from 131I therapy / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

As an important postsurgical adjuvant treatment for DTC, radioactive iodine (RAI) is administered to eliminate residual thyroid tissue as well as the potentially persistent or distant metastatic lesions.It plays a significant role in reducing disease recurrence and tumor-related mortality.The major challenge at present in RAI treatment decision-making is how to achieve optimum clinical outcome with minimal radiation exposure.ATA guidelines recommends a postsurgical recurrence-risk adapted approach to RAI treatment management based on the clinicopathological features.However, RAI therapy is not beneficial to all DTC patients.The potential benefits from RAI therapy in DTC patients with different risk stratification have attracted much attention, and are reviewed in this article in order to provide more evidence-based basis for clinical decision-making.

Second malignancies in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated with low and medium activities of radioactive I-131.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed at determining whether there is a risk regarding the development of second primary malignancies after patient exposure to the low and medium radioiodine activity used during the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC). METHODS: Second primary malignancies that occurred after DTC were detected in 1,990 patients treated between 1970 and 2003. The mean long-term follow-up period was 182 months. RESULTS: Radioiodine I-131was administrated at a mean dose of 63.2 mCi. There were 93 patients with at least one second primary malignancy. The relative risk of development of second malignancy in DTC patients was increased (p<0.0001) for breast, uterine and ovarian cancers compared with the general population. CONCLUSIONS: The overall risk concerning the development of second primary malignancies was related to the presence of DTC, but not to exposure to the low and medium activities of radioiodine administered as adjuvant therapy.

Outcome of radioiodine therapy in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma concurrent with Hashimoto's thyroiditis / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To evaluate the impact of low-dose 131I therapy and high-dose 131I therapy on the clinical outcome in PTC patients coexisting with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).Methods A total of 140 non-distant metastatic PTC patients (16 males,124 females,age range:16-66 years) from July 2010 to December 2014 were enrolled in this retrospective study.Patients concurrent with HT (n=84,group A) were divided into low-dose group (1 110 MBq,n=56,group A1) and high-dose group (5 550 MBq,n=28,group A2) according to 131I ablation dose.Patients without HT (n =56) were enrolled as control group (group B),and received 1 110 MBq of 131I.The thyroid remnant ablation outcome was evaluated according to 131I diagnostic whole-body scan (Dx-WBS),neck ultrasonography (US),serum Tg and TgAb level 6-8 months after 131I ablation therapy.The successful ablation rates were compared by x2 test.Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was also used.Results There were no significant differences among the 3 groups in terms of both clinicopathological features and postoperative remnant thyroid (H:0.203-2.944,x2:0.271-0.970,all P＞0.05).When negative Dx-WBS and US were deemed as successful ablation criterion,complete ablation rate was found significantly more in group B (94.6％,53/56) than that in group A1 (82.1％,46/56;x2=4.264,P＜0.05),but no significant difference was found between group A2 (85.7％,24/28) and group A1 (x2 =0.318,P＞0.05).When combining negative sTg (sTg＜1 μg/L,TgAb＜46 kU/L) with the above 2 criterions to assess remnant ablation outcome,group B also had a higher successful rate to achieve complete ablation (85.7％,48/56) compared with group A1 (75.6％,34/45),but without statistical significance (x2=2.978,P＞0.05),and no difference was observed between group A2 (12/15) and group A1 (x2=1.320,P＞ 0.05).Conclusion Non-distant metastatic PTC patients coexisting with HT has undesirable 131I ablation outcome compared with those without HT,increasing 131I dose is unhelpful to enhance efficiency of remnant ablation for PTC patients with HT.

Dynamic change of peripheral blood cell in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer before and after 131I treatment / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To evaluate the kinetics of peripheral blood cells in DTC patients before and after 131I treatment.Methods A total of 64 patients were divided into 2 groups with different therapeutic doses:high-dose group (3.70-5.55 GBq,n =24) and low-dose group (1.11 GBq,n =40).The WBC,neutrophils (NEUT),lymphocytes (LY),RBC and PLT were counted before operation,before 131I treatment,and on 3 d and 7 d after 131I treatment.One-way analysis of variance and two-sample t test were used to analyze the data.Results The counts of WBC and NEUT in both groups along with the LY in high-dose group varied significantly before,and on 3 d and 7 d after 131I treatment(WBC:high-dose group,(6.30±1.04),(8.86±2.07),(6.59±1.64) × 109/L;low-dose group,(6.65±1.48),(10.17±3.04),(7.17± 1.57) ×109/L; NEUT:high-dose group,(3.75±0.88),(6.42± 1.91),(4.53± 1.54) × 109/L; low-dose group,(3.88±0.90),(7.12±2.77),(4.40±1.17) × 109/L;LY:(2.11±0.67),(2.06±0.74),(1.59±0.49) × 109/L;F values:3.88 to 30.20,all P＜0.05).The counts of WBC and NEUT in both groups were significantly higher on 3 d after 131I treatment than that before treatment (all P＜0.05).The counts of WBC and NEUT in both groups along with the LY in high-dose group decreased significantly on 7 d compared to that on 3 d after 131I treatment (all P＜0.05).The counts of LY in high-dose group also significantly decreased on 7 d after 131I treatment than before treatment(P＜0.05).The counts of RBC before 131I treatment and LY on 7 d after 131I treatment were significantly different between the 2 groups(t=2.36,-4.30,both P＜0.05).Compared with the counts before operation,LY,RBC and PLT were significantly higher (t values:from-4.92 to-2.45,all P＜0.05) during hypothyroid state induced by thyroxine withdrawal before 131I treatment.Conclusions Short-term kinetics of WBC and NEUT present as an increase first followed by a decrease after 131I treatment; while LY of high-dose group presents as a gradually decrease.Hypothyroid state induced by levo-thyroxine withdrawal leads to increased counts of LY,RBC and PLT before 131I treatment.

Clinical significance of negative thyroglobulin and positive diagnostic whole body scan in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma who underwent thyroid remnant ablation / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Diagnostic whole body scan (Dx-WBS) with 131I and serum Tg level are the main parameters to evaluate the effectiveness of thyroid remnant ablation in patients with DTC.Undetectable Tg and positive radioiodine uptake in the thyroid bed (Tg-/Dx-WBS+) may be found in some patients.However,the clinical significance is uncertain.A small amount of thyroidal remnant,a small DTC lesion,increased expression of NIS gene and autoimmune inflammation may all result in Tg-/Dx-WBS+.A wait-and-watch approach without rushing for high-dose radioiodine treatment might be a more reasonable approach for these patients.

The trends in clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies of differentiated thyroid cancer in pediatrics and adolescents / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

DTC in pediatric and adolescent patients has lower incidence and is generally reported to have better prognosis.However,compared with DTC in adults,it is more aggressive and the recurrence rate is higher.Surgery and adjuvant radioiodine therapy can minimize the risk of recurrence.Total or near total thyroidectomy combined with central compartment lymph node dissection is the preferred surgical procedure for most of these patients.Radioiodine therapy for ablation of thyroidal remnant or residual disease is recommended in order to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence,but there is slight chance of increased risk of a sec ond primary malignancy (SPM).Long-term follow-up is therefore recommended for the pediatrics and adolescents with DTC after treatment.Multi-disciplinary collaborative management is needed to optimize treatment efficacy and to minimize adverse effects.

Comparison of131I-whole Body Scan and18F-FDG PET/CT on the Metastatic Management of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer After Operation / 中国医学影像学杂志

Purpose To explore the clinical value of131I-whole body scan (131I-WBS) and 18F-FDG PET/CT on the metastatic management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) after operation.Materials and Methods Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) of 27 patients after DTC surgery was measured one day before131I therapy, and the patients underwent131I-WBS on 3-5 days after131I therapy. According to the results of Tg and 131I-WBS, all the patients were divided into 4 types as follows: type I: Tg (+),131I-WBS (-); type II: Tg (+),131I-WBS (+); type III: Tg (-),131I-WBS (+); and type IV: Tg (-), 131I-WBS (-). Then the patients received18F-FDG PET/CT scan within a week after 131I-WBS. The results of131I-WBS and18F-FDG PET/CT scan were analyzed according to histopathologic findings or clinical and imaging follow-up of at least 6 months as diagnosis standard.Results The examinations uncovered that metastasis occurred in 52 lesions of 22 cases out of the 27 cases.131I-WBS revealed 24 metastatic lesions (46.2%) in 8 cases (36.4%), and18F-FDG PET/CT showed 35 metastatic lesions (67.3%) in 15 cases (68.2%), the difference with statistic significance (χ2=4.46 and 4.74,P0.05). Based on that, therapeutic plans were modified for 13 patients with type I metastasis and 1 patient with type IV metastasis.Conclusion131I-WBS and18F-FDG PET/CT are complementary for detecting metastatic lesion and help to decide the following treatment of DTC patients after surgery. Moreover,18F-FDG PET/CT shows advantages in detecting metastatic lesion in Tg-positive and negative131I-WBS type of DTC patients after surgery, thus can provide an important clinical guidance for this type of patients.