Unraveling the clinicopathological and molecular changes induced by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and endocrine therapy in hormone receptor-positive/HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The characterization and comparison of gene expression and intrinsic subtype (IS) changes induced by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and endocrine therapy in hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low versus HR+/HER2-0 breast cancer (BC) has not been conducted so far. Most evidence on the association of HER2 status with pathologic responses and prognosis in HR+/HER2-negative BC is controversial and restricted to NACT-treated disease. Similarly, a temporal heterogeneity in HER2 status has been described only with NACT. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited a consecutive cohort of 186 patients with stage I-IIIB HR+/HER2-negative BC treated with neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). Available diagnostic biopsies and surgical samples were characterized for main pathological features, PAM50 IS and ROR-P score, and gene expression. Associations with pathologic complete response, residual cancer burden-0/I, event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) based on HER2 status were assessed. Pre/post pathologic/molecular changes were analyzed in matched samples. RESULTS: The HER2-low (62.9%) and HER2-0 (37.1%) cohorts did not differ significantly in main baseline features, treatments administered, breast-conserving surgery, pathologic complete response and residual cancer burden-0/I rates, EFS, and OS. NAT induced, regardless of HER2 status, a significant reduction of estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor and Ki67 levels, a down-regulation of PAM50 proliferation- and luminal-related genes/signatures, an up-regulation of selected immune genes, and a shift towards less aggressive IS and lower ROR-P. Moreover, 25% of HER2-0 changed to HER2-low and 34% HER2-low became HER2-0. HER2 shifts were significant after NACT (P < 0.001), not neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (P = 0.063), with consistent ERBB2 mRNA level dynamics. HER2 changes were not associated with EFS/OS. CONCLUSIONS: HER2-low and HER2-0 status change after NAT in ∼30% of cases, mostly after NACT. Targeted adjuvant strategies should be investigated accordingly. Molecular downstaging with current chemo/endocrine agents and immunotherapy should not rely on HER2 immunohistochemical levels in HR+/HER2-negative BC. Instead, HER2-low-targeted approaches should be explored to pursue more effective and/or less toxic dimensional downstaging.

Equipo multidisciplinar de cirugía radioguiada: Alternativa de cambio al paradigma actual / Multidisciplinary radio-guided surgery team: Alternative to change the current paradigm

IntroducciónAnte el aumento constante de la demanda asistencial de exploraciones relacionadas con cirugía radioguiada (CRG), nuestro hospital adoptó incluir en el equipo de CRG nuevos perfiles profesionales con el fin de reducir parcialmente el tiempo de dedicación de los médicos nucleares a esta tarea.Objetivos: Analizar el proceso de incorporación de los perfiles de Técnico Superior en Imagen para el Diagnóstico (TSID) y Enfermera Referente de Ganglio Centinela (ERGC), evaluando su despliegue en los procedimientos ligados a la técnica. Material y métodos: Análisis de la actividad de CRG durante el periodo 2018-2022, centrándolo en los procedimientos prequirúrgicos y quirúrgicos relativos a cáncer de mama (CaM) y melanoma maligno (MM), por ser aquellas patologías en las que se concentró la transferencia de competencias asistenciales. Evolución cronológica de las competencias asumidas por los diferentes perfiles durante su integración en el equipo de CRG. Resultados: La actividad asistencial de CRG durante el periodo analizado experimentó un incremento del 109%. CaM y MM son las patologías que aglutinaron con diferencia una mayor demanda asistencial. La transferencia de competencias en estas dos patologías se ha producido de manera progresiva, asumiendo en 2022 el 74% (460/622) de la fase de administración el ERGC y el 64% (333/519) de las cirugías el TSID. Conclusiones: La creación de un equipo multidisciplinar de CRG, que incluye distintos perfiles profesionales (MN, ERGC y TSID), es una eficaz estrategia para dar respuesta al incremento de la complejidad y número de todos los procedimientos relacionados con la CRG.(AU)

Introduction: Given the constant increase in the healthcare demand for examinations related to radio-guided surgery (RGS), our hospital adopted new professional profiles in the RGS team, in order to partially reduce the time spent by nuclear medicine physicians on this task. Aim: To analyze the process of incorporating the profiles of Superior Diagnostic Imaging Technician (TSID) and Sentinel Node Referent Nurse (ERGC), evaluating their deployment in the procedures linked to the technique. Material and methods: Analysis of RGS activity during the period 2018-2022, focusing on pre-surgical and surgical procedures related to breast cancer (BC) and malignant melanoma (MM), as they are those pathologies on which the transfer of care competencies was concentrated. Chronological evolution of the competencies assumed by the different profiles during their integration into the RGS team. Results: RGS's healthcare activity during the analyzed period experienced an increase of 109%. BC and MM were the pathologies that accounted for by far the greatest demand for care. The transfer of competencies in these two pathologies occurred in a progressive and staggered manner, with 74% (460/622) of the administration phase being carried out by the ERGC and 64% (333/519) of the surgeries by the TSID in 2022. Conclusions: The creation of a multidisciplinary RGS team that includes different professional profiles (NM, ERGC and TSID) is an effective strategy to respond to the increase in the complexity and number of all procedures related to RGS.(AU)

Multidisciplinary radio-guided surgery team: Alternative to change the current paradigm.

INTRODUCTION: Given the constant increase in the healthcare demand for examinations related to radio-guided surgery (RGS), our hospital adopted new professional profiles in the RGS team, in order to partially reduce the time spent by nuclear medicine physicians on this task. AIM: To analyze the process of incorporating the profiles of Diagnostic Imaging Technician (DIT) and Sentinel Node Referent Nurse (SNRN), evaluating their deployment in the procedures linked to the technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of RGS activity during the period 2018-2022, focusing on pre-surgical and surgical procedures related to breast cancer (BC) and malignant melanoma (MM), as they are those pathologies on which the transfer of care competencies was concentrated. Chronological evolution of the competencies assumed by the different profiles during their integration into the RGS team. RESULTS: RGS's healthcare activity during the analyzed period experienced an increase of 109%. BC and MM were the pathologies that accounted for by far the greatest demand for care. The transfer of competencies in these two pathologies occurred in a progressive and staggered manner, with 74% (460/622) of the administration phase being carried out by the SNRN and 64% (333/519) of the surgeries by the DIT in 2022. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of a multidisciplinary RGS team that includes different professional profiles (nuclear medicine physician [MN], ERGC and TSID) is an effective strategy to respond to the increase in the complexity and number of all procedures related to RGS.

Contribución de la medicina nuclear en la cirugía de precisión en el cáncer de mama / Nuclear medicine contribution to precision surgery in breast cancer

La medicina nuclear ha contribuido significativamente en la cirugía de precisión en el cáncer de mama en las últimas décadas. La cirugía radioguiada (CRG) ha permitido la biopsia del ganglio centinela (GC) en la evaluación de la infiltración ganglionar regional modificando el manejo de pacientes con cáncer de mama precoz. Para la axila, el procedimiento de la biopsia del GC ha significado un decremento de complicaciones y una mejor calidad de vida en comparación con la disección de los ganglios linfáticos axilares. Originalmente, la biopsia del GC se indicó principalmente en tumores cT1-2, sin evidencia de metástasis en los ganglios linfáticos axilares. Sin embargo, en los últimos años la biopsia del GC también se está ofreciendo a pacientes con tumores grandes o multifocales, carcinoma ductal in situ, recidiva del cáncer de mama ipsilateral y a pacientes que reciben tratamiento sistémico neoadyuvante (TSN) para cirugía conservadora de mama. Paralelamente a esta evolución, varias asociaciones científicas están tratando de homogeneizar cuestiones como la elección del radiotrazador, el lugar de inyección de la mama, la estandarización de las imágenes preoperatorias y el momento de la biopsia del GC en relación con el TSN, así como el manejo de las metástasis no axilares del GC (p. ej., cadena mamaria interna). Además, la CRG se usa actualmente para lograr la extirpación de tumores de mama primarios mediante inyección intralesional de radiocoloides o mediante implantación de semillas de yodo radiactivo que también se emplean para marcar los ganglios linfáticos axilares metastásicos. Este último procedimiento contribuye a manejar la axila con ganglios positivos en combinación con la PET/TC con [18F]FDG en un esfuerzo por adaptar el tratamiento sistémico y locorregional (AU)

Nuclear medicine has significantly contributed to precision surgery in breast cancer in the past decades. Radioguided surgery (RGS) has enabled sentinel node (SN) biopsy in assessing regional nodal involvement modifying the management of patients with early breast cancer. For the axilla the SN procedure has resulted in fewer complications and better quality of life when compared with axillary lymph node dissection. Originally, SN biopsy principally concerned cT1-2 tumors without evidence of axillary lymph node metastases. However, in last years SN biopsy is also being offered to patients with large or multifocal tumors, ductal carcinoma in situ, ipsilateral breast cancer relapse, and to patients receiving neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) for breast sparing surgery. Parallel to this evolution various scientific associations are trying to homogenise issues such as radiotracer choice, breast injection site, preoperative imaging standardisation and SN biopsy timing in relation to NST as well as management of non-axillary SN metastasis (e.g. internal mammary chain). Additionally, RGS is currently used to accomplish primary breast tumour excision either by intralesional radiocolloid injection or by radioactive iodine seed implantation which is also employed to target metastatic axillary lymph nodes. This latter procedure contributes to manage the node-positive axilla in combination with 18F-FDG PET/CT in an effort to tailor systemic and loco regional treatment (AU)

Perfil enfermera referente de ganglio centinela: descripción, validación y aplicación en la práctica asistencial / Sentinal lymph node reference nurse model: description, validation, and application in clinical practice

Introducción En 2019 se genera la oportunidad de integrar un enfermero en el equipo de cirugía radioguiada (CRG), adaptando el modelo de enfermera referente a las exploraciones de ganglio centinela (GC). Objetivos Describir el procedimiento adoptado para definir el perfil enfermera referente de ganglio centinela (ERGC), validar su aplicación práctica y establecer su implementación asistencial. Material y métodos Metodología de análisis y mejora continua en gestión de procesos (ciclo PDCA): definición y planificación de las funciones de ERGC en el protocolo de cáncer de mama, realización prueba piloto con 20 pacientes y análisis de los datos de cara a validar el circuito y establecer su implementación asistencial. Resultados Se elaboraron flujos del procedimiento, integrando la figura de ERGC. En la prueba piloto, un 15% de las mujeres presentaron un resultado positivo de ansiedad frente a un 60% de valoración subjetiva positiva de ansiedad. Tras las intervenciones enfermeras realizadas, se obtuvo una reducción del 58,3% en valoración subjetiva de ansiedad, un 100% de conocimiento de la prueba y una valoración del dolor en la administración del radiotrazador aceptable en las pacientes. En el nivel de calidad técnica, 8/10 ítems valorados consiguieron el objetivo previamente establecido por el equipo de CRG. Conclusiones La creciente complejidad de la técnica de biopsia de GC ha creado la oportunidad de implementar cuidados enfermeros en el procedimiento de localización prequirúrgica del GC. El perfil ERGC es el idóneo para llevarlo a cabo y ha conllevado mejoras objetivas en los diagnósticos enfermeros e ítems evaluados (AU)

Introduction In 2019 the opportunity to add a nurse within the radioguided surgery (RGS) team was generated. The referent nurse model was adapted to, the sentinel node (SN) preoperative approaches. Objectives To describe the process performed to define the sentinel node referentnurse (SNRN) profile, to validate its practical application and to establish its clinical implementation. Material and methods Methodology of analysis and continuous improvement in the management of processes (cycle PDCA): Definition and planning of the SNRN functions in the breast cancer protocol, performance of a pilot test with 20 patients and analysis of the data in order to validate the circuit and establish its final clinical implementation. Results New procedure flows-charts were elaborated, adding the figure of the SNRN, its function and nursing interventions during the process. In the pilot test a 58.3% reduction in subjective anxiety, a 75% decrease of the overall anxiety level, a 100% knowledge of the test and an acceptable patient perception of pain's level during the radiotracer administration were obtained. Regarding technical quality, 8/10 items assessed reached the level previously established by the RGS team. Conclusions The increasing complexity of the SN biopsy technique has created the opportunity to implement nursing care in the presurgical SN localization process. The profile of the SNRN is ideal for carrying it out and has led to improvements in the nursing diagnoses and assessed items (AU)

Aportación de la medicina nuclear intervencionista a la cirugía de precisión molecularmente dirigida / nterventional nuclear medicine's contribution to molecularly targeted precision surgery

El abordaje quirúrgico de las distintas enfermedades, no solo oncológicas, ha evolucionado. Como ha sido acuñado de forma muy gráfica por el grupo de Veronesi, estamos pasando de los «tratamientos máximos tolerables a los mínimos eficaces» y este recorrido no puede ser llevado a cabo de otra forma que mediante un planteamiento de trabajo multidisciplinar y multimodalidad. Obligatoriamente multidisciplinar porque es necesaria la colaboración entre cirujanos, oncólogos, radiólogos, médicos nucleares, patólogos y todo aquel relacionado con el seguimiento de los pacientes, y obligatoriamente multimodalidad porque nos debemos encaminar hacia una cirugía de precisión a la medida de cada paciente en la que, por parte de la Medicina Nuclear, tiene mucho que decir la imagen híbrida (SPECT/TC y PET/TC), los trazadores bimodales, el empleo de nuevos aliados como la ecografía o nuestra propia adaptación a la cirugía robótica. Todo un amplio abanico de posibilidades construido a partir de un sólido cimiento como es la gammagrafía preoperatoria, que posibilita la identificación de los tejidos diana y cuyo conocimiento previo a la intervención permite plantear el abordaje quirúrgico necesario para cada paciente (AU)

The surgical approach to different pathologies, not only oncological, has evolved. As Veronesi's group has coined very graphically, we are moving from “maximum tolerable treatments to minimum effective treatments” and this journey cannot be carried out in any other way than through a multidisciplinary and multimodality approach. Multidisciplinary, because collaboration between surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, nuclear physicians, pathologists, and all those involved in patient follow-up is necessary, and multimodality, because we must move towards precision surgery tailored to each patient in which, on the part of Nuclear Medicine, hybrid imaging (SPECT/CT and PET/CT), bimodal tracers, the use of new allies such as ultrasound or our own adaptation to robotic surgery have a great deal to say A wide range of possibilities is built on the solid foundation of preoperative scintigraphy, which makes it possible to identify the target tissues and whose knowledge prior to surgery allows the necessary surgical approach to be considered for each patient (AU)

Interventional nuclear medicine's contribution to molecularly targeted precision surgery.

The surgical approach to different pathologies, not only oncological, has evolved. As Veronesi's group has coined very graphically, we are moving from "maximum tolerable treatments to minimum effective treatments" and this journey cannot be carried out in any other way than through a multidisciplinary and multimodality approach. Multidisciplinary, because collaboration between surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, nuclear physicians, pathologists, and all those involved in patient follow-up is necessary, and multimodality, because we must move towards precision surgery tailored to each patient in which, on the part of Nuclear Medicine, hybrid imaging (SPECT/CT and PET/CT), bimodal tracers, the use of new allies such as ultrasound or our own adaptation to robotic surgery have a great deal to say. A wide range of possibilities is built on the solid foundation of preoperative scintigraphy, which makes it possible to identify the target tissues and whose knowledge prior to surgery allows the necessary surgical approach to be considered for each patient.

Sentinel node referent nurse: Description, validation and application in clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: In 2019 the opportunity to add a nurse within the radioguided surgery (RGS) team was generated. The referent nurse model was adapted to, the sentinel node (SN) preoperative approaches. OBJECTIVES: To describe the process performed to define the sentinel node referent nurse (SNRN) profile, to validate its practical application and to establish its clinical implementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Methodology of analysis and continuous improvement in the management of processes (cycle PDCA): definition and planning of the SNRN functions in the breast cancer protocol, performance of a pilot test with 20 patients and analysis of the data in order to validate the circuit and establish its final clinical implementation. RESULTS: New procedure flows-charts were elaborated, adding the figure of the SNRN, its function and nursing interventions during the process. In the pilot test a 58.3% reduction in subjective anxiety, a 75% decrease of the overall anxiety level, a 100% knowledge of the test and an acceptable patient perception of pain's level during the radiotracer administration were obtained. Regarding technical quality, 8/10 items assessed reached the level previously established by the RGS team. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing complexity of the SN biopsy technique has created the opportunity to implement nursing care in the presurgical SN localization process. The profile of the SNRN is ideal for carrying it out and has led to improvements in the nursing diagnoses and assessed items.

Radioguided surgery in primary hyperparathyroidism: a review of the different available techniques. / Cirugía radioguiada en el hiperparatiroidismo primario: revisión de las diferentes técnicas disponibles.

Parathyroidectomy has evolved over the years from bilateral neck exploration to a single gland approach using minimally invasive surgery. The precise presurgical localization of the problem gland, using functional techniques, such as double-phase scintigraphy with [99mTc] Tc-MIBI including SPECT-CT and PET-CT with [18F]-Choline and morphological ones, such as ultrasound have played a crucial role in this paradigm's shift. Radioguided surgery techniques have also adapted and grown with new contributions known for their indication in other fields. Thus, we currently have a wide range of techniques that have been added to the minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy with [99mTc] Tc-MIBI, which was the first on the stage and for which more experience exists. Among them, in this update, we will discuss parathyroidectomy using ultrasound-guided ROLL technique as well as with the use of 125I seeds and finally, hybrid techniques that use radiotracer and fluorescence.

Actualización en cirugía radioguiada: del consenso internacional en ganglio centinela de cabeza y cuello a los avances en tumores ginecológicos y localización de lesiones no palpables / Update on radioguided surgery: from international consensus on sentinel node in head and neck cancer to the advances on gynaecological tumors and localization of non-palpable lesions

La presente revisión tiene como objetivo brindar una visión actualizada en diferentes campos de la cirugía radioguiada. En lo que se refiere a la biopsia del ganglio centinela en el carcinoma escamoso oral, se exponen los resultados del debate interactivo llevado a cabo en el reciente Congreso de nuestra especialidad sobre los aspectos más relevantes del Consenso de Londres. En los tumores ginecológicos, cáncer de endometrio y cérvix, se detallan las particularidades del drenaje, las indicaciones establecidas según las guías actuales y se presentan nuevos escenarios para el médico nuclear, como pueden ser la cirugía robótica y los trazadores híbridos. Por otra parte, la notable expansión de las indicaciones de la cirugía radioguiada de lesiones no palpables, ampliamente utilizada en patología mamaria, hace conveniente la puesta al día en dos procedimientos que han demostrado resultados satisfactorios, como son el nódulo pulmonar solitario y el osteoma osteoide

The aim of this review is to provide an updated perspective on different fields of radioguided surgery. With reference to the sentinel lymph node biopsy in oral squamous cell carcinoma, we present the results of the interactive debate held at the recent Congress of our specialty about the more relevant aspects of the London Consensus. Drainage peculiarities and indications according to the current guidelines on gynaecological tumours, endometrial and cervical cancer, are detailed and new scenarios for nuclear medicine physicians are presented; robotic surgery and hybrid tracers, for instance. Moreover, the notable growth in radioguided surgery indications for non-palpable lesions, widely used in mammary pathology, make it advisable to update two procedures which have shown satisfying results, such as the solitary pulmonary nodule and the osteoid osteoma

Update on radioguided surgery: from international consensus on sentinel node in head and neck cancer to the advances on gynaecological tumors and localization of non-palpable lesions. / Actualización en cirugía radioguiada: del consenso internacional en ganglio centinela de cabeza y cuello a los avances en tumores ginecológicos y localización de lesiones no palpables.

The aim of this review is to provide an updated perspective on different fields of radioguided surgery. With reference to the sentinel lymph node biopsy in oral squamous cell carcinoma, we present the results of the interactive debate held at the recent Congress of our specialty about the more relevant aspects of the London Consensus. Drainage peculiarities and indications according to the current guidelines on gynaecological tumours, endometrial and cervical cancer, are detailed and new scenarios for nuclear medicine physicians are presented; robotic surgery and hybrid tracers, for instance. Moreover, the notable growth in radioguided surgery indications for non-palpable lesions, widely used in mammary pathology, make it advisable to update two procedures which have shown satisfying results, such as the solitary pulmonary nodule and the osteoid osteoma.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of imaging strategy for an intensive follow-up of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IIB, IIC and III malignant melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Many follow-up guidelines for patients with high-risk melanoma include expensive imaging studies, serum biomarkers and regular visits to the dermatologist, with little attention to cost-effectiveness. OBJECTIVES: To establish the cost-effectiveness of chest-abdomen-pelvis computed tomography (CT) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a follow-up protocol for patients at high risk of relapse. METHODS: This was a prospective single-centre cohort study of 290 patients with clinicopathological American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage IIB, IIC and III melanoma. Patients had a body CT scan and brain MRI every 6 months and were withdrawn from the study after completing a 5-year follow-up or when metastases were detected. A cost-effectiveness analysis for each follow-up radiological procedure was performed. RESULTS: Patients underwent 1805 body CT scans and 1683 brain MRIs. Seventy-six metastases (26·2%) were identified by CT or MRI. CT scan was cost-effective in the first 4 years (cost-effectiveness ratio €4710·70-€14 437·10/patient with metastasis); brain MRI was cost-effective during the first year (cost-effectiveness ratio €14 090·60/patient with metastasis). Limitations included lack of survival analysis and comparisons with willingness-to-pay thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: Six-monthly CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis is a cost-effective technique for the early detection of metastases in the first 4 years of follow-up in patients with AJCC stage IIC and III melanoma, and in the first 3 years in patients with AJCC stage IIB melanoma. In addition, brain MRI has been shown to be cost-effective only in the first year of follow-up in patients with AJCC stage IIC and III melanoma.

Nueva generación de radiotrazadores para la biopsia del ganglio centinela: ¿qué es necesario para establecer nuevos paradigmas de imagen? / Next generation of radiotracers for sentinel lymph node biopsy: What is still necessary to establish new imaging paradigms?

La biopsia del ganglio centinela (GC) es, en la actualidad, la técnica estándar para la estadificación regional de diversos tumores sólidos. La administración intersticial de un radiotrazador alrededor del tumor primario proporciona la posibilidad de obtener imágenes secuenciales con una gammacámara y visualizar el mapa linfático y los GC. Existe, sin embargo, una amplia variabilidad geográfica en estos radiotrazadores y, de este modo, los nanocoloides se utilizan mayoritariamente en Europa (con un intervalo de tamaño de partícula entre 15-100nm), mientras que en Estados Unidos se utiliza ampliamente el azufre coloidal (filtrado o no) marcado con 99mTc (rango 20-1.000nm). El nuevo radiotrazador 99mTc-Tilmanocept, diseñado específicamente para la identificación de los GC, y recientemente introducido comercialmente en Estados Unidos y en Europa, parece tener la potencia para solucionar los inconvenientes descritos para los radiotrazadores convencionales utilizados hasta la fecha, transformando al mismo tiempo los paradigmas actuales de la imagen gammagráfica. Tras definir los retos para la nueva generación de radiotrazadores, este artículo describe las propiedades del 99mTc-Tilmanocept, su proceso de validación para la biopsia del GC y sus aplicaciones clínicas emergentes en diversas neoplasias malignas

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is now the standard of care for regional staging in several solid tumors. The interstitial administration of a radiotracer around the primary tumor provide the possibility to sequentially obtain images with a gamma camera and visualize lymphatic mapping and the SLN. There is, however, a large geographical variability in those radiotracers and nanocolloids ranging from 15-100nm which are most widely employed in Europe, while filtered and unfiltered 99mTc-sulfur colloid (range 20-1000nm) is usually used in the USA with different drawbacks in its use. The new radiotracer 99mTc-Tilmanocept, designed specifically for the identification of SLNs and recently becoming commercially available in USA and Europe, appears to have the potency to overcome the shortcomings described for the conventional radiotracers used until now for SLN biopsy and at the same time to transform current imaging paradigms. After delineating the challenges for the next generation of radiotracers, this paper discusses the properties of 99mTc-Tilmanocept, its validation process for SLN biopsy and its emerging clinical applications in various malignancies

Next generation of radiotracers for sentinel lymph node biopsy: What is still necessary to establish new imaging paradigms? / Nueva generación de radiotrazadores para la biopsia del ganglio centinela: ¿qué es necesario para establecer nuevos paradigmas de imagen?

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is now the standard of care for regional staging in several solid tumors. The interstitial administration of a radiotracer around the primary tumor provide the possibility to sequentially obtain images with a gamma camera and visualize lymphatic mapping and the SLN. There is, however, a large geographical variability in those radiotracers and nanocolloids ranging from 15-100nm which are most widely employed in Europe, while filtered and unfiltered 99mTc-sulfur colloid (range 20-1000nm) is usually used in the USA with different drawbacks in its use. The new radiotracer 99mTc-Tilmanocept, designed specifically for the identification of SLNs and recently becoming commercially available in USA and Europe, appears to have the potency to overcome the shortcomings described for the conventional radiotracers used until now for SLN biopsy and at the same time to transform current imaging paradigms. After delineating the challenges for the next generation of radiotracers, this paper discusses the properties of 99mTc-Tilmanocept, its validation process for SLN biopsy and its emerging clinical applications in various malignancies.

De la imagen intervencionista a la guía intraoperatoria: nuevas perspectivas combinando herramientas avanzadas y navegación con la cirugía radioguiada / From interventionist imaging to intraoperative guidance: new perspectives by combining advanced tools and navigation with radio-guided surgery

La integración de tecnologías de imagen médica en los enfoques diagnósticos y terapéuticos puede proporcionar una perspectiva preoperatoria tanto en los aspectos anatómicos (tomografía computarizada, resonancia magnética o ecografía) como funcional (tomografía computarizada de emisión de fotón único, tomografía por emisión de positrones, linfogammagrafía o imagen óptica). Además, algunas modalidades de imagen se utilizan también en un entorno intervencionista (tomografía computarizada, ecografía, imágenes gammagráficas o imágenes ópticas), donde proporcionan al cirujano información en tiempo real durante el procedimiento. En la actualidad son factibles diversas herramientas y enfoques metodológicos para la navegación guiada por imágenes en la cirugía del cáncer. Con el desarrollo de nuevos trazadores y dispositivos portátiles de imagen, estos avances reforzarán el papel de la imagen molecular intervencionista (AU)

The integration of medical imaging technologies into diagnostic and therapeutic approaches can provide a preoperative insight into both anatomical (e.g. using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound), as well as functional aspects (e.g. using single photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography, lymphoscintigraphy, or optical imaging). Moreover, some imaging modalities are also used in an interventional setting (e.g. computed tomography, ultrasound, gamma or optical imaging) where they provide the surgeon with real-time information during the procedure. Various tools and approaches for image-guided navigation in cancer surgery are becoming feasible today. With the development of new tracers and portable imaging devices, these advances will reinforce the role of interventional molecular imaging (AU)