Imaging findings and clinical relevance of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET in atherosclerosis: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to perform a qualitative synthesis of evidence on the role of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET in atherosclerosis. METHODS: A systematic search of the PubMed and Embase databases for studies reporting the evaluation of atherosclerotic lesions by 68Ga-Pentixafor PET was performed with a search time frame from database creation to 2022-12-26. The diagnostic test evaluation tool QUADAS-2 was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature and to perform descriptive analyses of relevant outcome indicators. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies with 280 patients were included. One study reported only imaging outcome metrics, while the other five studies reported imaging outcome metrics and clinical correlation metrics. For imaging outcomes, three studies reported imaging results for 68Ga-Pentixafor PET only, and the other three studies reported imaging results for comparative analysis of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET with 18F-FDG PET. For clinical correlation, three studies reported the correlation between tracer uptake and cardiovascular risk factors, one study reported the correlation between tracer uptake and plaque calcification, and one study reported the correlation between all three: tracer uptake, cardiovascular risk factors, and plaque calcification. CONCLUSION: 68Ga-Pentixafor PET has a good imaging effect on atherosclerotic lesions, and it is a promising imaging modality that may replace 18F-FDG PET for atherosclerosis imaging in the future. In patients with atherosclerosis, there is a clear clinical correlation between cardiovascular risk factors, tracer uptake, and plaque calcification.

An unusual false-positive uptake of radioiodine caused by pulmonary vasculature: The usefulness of SPECT/CT.

There are numerous conditions that may cause false-positive findings on iodine scintigraphy, such as vascular structure, mediastinum, bronchiectasis, cystic lesions and mature cystic teratoma; however, many of their mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging can be conducive to avoiding potential pitfalls. In addition, the nuclear physicians have to bear in mind that iodine-131 (131I) uptake in pulmonary vasculature can be a possible cause of false-positive uptake when they interpret 131I whole body scan (WBS).

Preoperative prediction of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor grade based on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a prediction model for preoperatively predicting grade 1 and grade 2/3 tumors in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) based on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. METHODS: Clinical data of 41 patients with PNETs were included in this study. According to the pathological results, they were divided into grade 1 and grade 2/3. 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT images were collected within one month before surgery. The clinical risk factors and significant radiological features were filtered, and a clinical predictive model based on these clinical and radiological features was established. 3D slicer was used to extracted 107 radiomic features from the region of interest (ROI) of 68Ga-dotata PET/CT images. The Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC), recursive feature elimination (REF) based five-fold cross validation were adopted for the radiomic feature selection, and a radiomic score was computed subsequently. The comprehensive model combining the clinical risk factors and the rad-score was established as well as the nomogram. The performance of above clinical model and comprehensive model were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Adjacent organ invasion, N staging, and M staging were the risk factors for PNET grading (p < 0.05). 12 optimal radiomic features (3 PET radiomic features, 9 CT radiomic features) were screen out. The clinical predictive model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.785. The comprehensive model has better predictive performance (AUC = 0.953). CONCLUSION: We proposed a comprehensive nomogram model based on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT to predict grade 1 and grade 2/3 of PNETs and assist personalized clinical diagnosis and treatment plans for patients with PNETs.

Structural characterization and potential anti-tumor activity of a polysaccharide from the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii Torr.

Plant polysaccharides are highly potent bioactive molecules. Clarifying the structural composition and bioactivities of plant polysaccharides will provide insights into their structure-activity relationships. Therefore, herein, we identified a polysaccharide produced by Salicornia bigelovii Torr. and analyzed the structure and anti-tumor activity of its component, SabPS-1. SabPS-1 was 3.24 × 104 Da, primarily composed of arabinose (24.96 %), galactose (30.39 %), and galacturonic acid (23.20 %), rhamnose (6.21 %), xylose (4.99 %), glucuronic acid (3.12 %), mannuronic acid (1.75 %), mannose (1.69 %), glucose (1.54 %), fucose (1.12 %), and guluronic acid (1.03 %). The backbone of SabPS-1 was a â†’ 4)-ß-D-GalpA-(1→, →5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, and→4)-ß-D-Galp-(1 â†’ molecule with a branched chain of α-L-Araf-(1 â†’ connected to sugar residues of →3,6)-ß-D-Galp-(1 â†’ in the O-3 position. SabPS-1 induced apoptosis and inhibited the growth of HepG-2 cells, with viability of 47.90 ± 4.14 (400 µg/mL), indicating anti-tumor activity. Apoptosis induced by SabPS-1 may be associated with the differential regulation of caspase 3, caspase 8, Bax, and Bcl-2. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the principal structures and anti-tumor biological activities of SabPS-1. Our findings demonstrated the excellent anti-tumor properties of SabPS-1, which will aid in the development of anti-tumor drugs utilizing Salicornia bigelovii Torr.

Comparison of 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and 68 Ga-Pentixiafor PET/CT Imaging in a Case of Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma with a high rate of metastasis and mortality. We present 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and 68 Ga-pentixiafor PET/CT findings of MCC in a 62-year-old man. Both 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and 68 Ga-pentixiafor PET/CT revealed increased radioactive uptake of lesions in the scan range. Compared with 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT, the lesions showed higher uptake in 68 Ga-pentixiafor PET/CT. Our case showed that 68 Ga-pentixiafor might be a promising radiotracer in the evaluation of MCC.

68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT in the Detection of Non-FDG-Avid Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas.

ABSTRACT: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is a rare tumor. A 46-year-old woman presented with chest pain for 6 months. Chest CT revealed a large mass of the right mediastinum. Then, she underwent 18F-FDG and 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT scans for staging. However, we accidentally found that a non-FDG focus nodule in the body of the pancreas with elevated FAPI activity. Finally, biopsy of the nodule in the body of the pancreas confirmed the diagnosis of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm.

68Ga-FAPI PET/CT Imaging of Intracranial Syphilitic Gumma: Comparison to 18F-FDG PET/CT.

ABSTRACT: Intracranial syphilitic gumma is a rare neurological disease. We present 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 and 18F-FDG PET/CT findings of intracranial syphilitic gumma in a 46-year-old man with HIV. In this case, 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT outperforms 18F-FDG in helping to visualizing syphilitic gumma. Syphilitic gumma can also cause increase FAPI activity. Our findings suggest the potential value of 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 in the diagnosis of syphilis.

Increased 68 Ga-FAPI Activity in Hepatic Inflammatory Myofibroblastoma.

ABSTRACT: Hepatic inflammatory myofibroblastoma is an uncommon borderline tumor. We present 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT findings of hepatic inflammatory myofibroblastoma in a 58-year-old man. The rare hepatic inflammatory myofibroblastoma demonstrated intense tracer uptake on 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT. This case demonstrates the potential value of 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT for the evaluation of hepatic inflammatory myofibroblastoma.

Dermatomyositis on 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT in a Patient With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy often associated with malignancies. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT was performed on a 58-year-old man with newly diagnosed dermatomyositis. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT showed multiple increased FAPI activity in whole-body muscles and nasopharyngeal lesion. A biopsy of the nasopharyngeal lesion confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT can provide a "1-stop" imaging method for patients with dermatomyositis.

Comparison of 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT in Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans.

ABSTRACT: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare soft tissue sarcoma with a high recurrence rate. Herein, we present 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT findings of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a 45-year-old man. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans only shows limited FDG uptakes on 18F-FDG PET/CT, but demonstrated intense tracer uptakes on 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT. In this case, 68Ga-FAPI was superior to 18F-FDG PET/CT in detecting dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Elevated 68 Ga-FAPI Uptake by Primary Benign Intraosseous Meningioma.

ABSTRACT: Intraosseous meningioma is an extremely rare benign tumor. We present the 68 Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT findings of primary intraosseous meningioma in a 71-year-old woman. 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT revealed an intraosseous mass in the right parietal bone with increased FAPI activity. Primary skull malignancy was suspected. However, pathological examination after resection of the mass in the right parietal bone confirmed the diagnosis of benign meningioma (WHO I). A final diagnosis of benign intraosseous meningioma was made.

Primary Adrenal Sarcomatoid Carcinoma Detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT.

ABSTRACT: Adrenal sarcomatoid carcinoma is extremely rare. A 53-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to pain in the upper right abdomen for 1 month. Abdominal CT revealed a huge mass in the right adrenal gland, and a malignancy was suspected. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed a mass in the right adrenal gland with intense FDG uptake. Finally, postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of adrenal sarcomatoid carcinoma.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Mimicking Malignancy on 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT: Potential Advantages of FAPI.

ABSTRACT: A 43-year-old man presented with weakness in his right upper limb for 2 months. Head MRI showed intracranial multiple abnormal signal foci. Malignancy was suspected. The patient was subsequently enrolled in the clinical trial of 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT showed intracranial multiple FAPI-avid foci. It was also highly suggestive of malignancy. However, the combination of clinical manifestations, imaging findings, cerebral spinal fluid examinations, and effective immunotherapy confirmed the diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. 68Ga-FAPI may have potential advantages in the diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Bone Tuberculous Granulomatous Inflammation Mimicking Malignancy on 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT.

ABSTRACT: A 50-year-old woman presented with back pain for 1 month. Chest CT showed osteolytic destruction of T6 vertebral body. A malignancy was suspected. The patient was subsequently enrolled in the clinical trial of 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT revealed multiple bone destruction with increased FAPI activity. It was also highly suggestive of malignancy or metastases. However, pathological examination after T6 vertebral surgery confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculous granulomatous inflammation.