68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in the evaluation of locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer, a single center experience.

Current research indicates that prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is related to angiogenesis of many solid tumors including breast cancer (BC), our objective is evaluating PSMA expression in primary tumor and metastatic BC by Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). In this retrospective study twenty-one patients with BC included all molecular subtypes, was evaluated with 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging as stratification and 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT. Primary sites of BC was identifying in all patients with 18F-FDG-PET/CT. We identified lymph node metastases in 17 patients (81%) and metastatic disease in 15 patients (71%). A total 127 lesions were detected by 18F-FDG-PET/CT, 30 of which were in the breast, 31 axillary lymph-node metastases, 25 mediastinal lymph-node metastases, 15 distant non-bone metastases and 26 bone metastases. 68Ga-PSMA-11-PET/CT showed lower detection-rate (DRs) than did 18F-FDG-PET/CT in all patients with LUM-A and LUM-B HER2. All 18F-FDG PET/CT positive lesions in patients TPN (local, lymph nodes, and metastatic lesions) showed 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT uptake (P<0.05). Sensitivities and specificities of 99.2% and 93.6% for 18F-FDG-PET/CT and for 68Ga-PSMA-11-PET/CT of 84% and 91.8% (P<0.05). Accuracy measured as AUC was 0.86-0.95 in 18F-FDG-PET/CT and 0.74-0.94 for 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT (P<0.05). In Patient-Based analysis we found that patients triple-negative subtype (TPN) evaluated with 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT identified a higher number of positive patients than did LUM A. We conclude that a significate DRs to imaging with 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT in the staging of locally advanced and metastatic BC with high rates in patients TPN, LUM B HER2+ and HER2 overexpression. We believe that concept of theranostics it may be considered as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target.

Usefulness of positron emission mammography in the evaluation of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.

Our study examines the association between two Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) semi-quantitative parameters: PUVmax (maximum uptake value) and LTB (lesion to background) baseline and the end of Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with pathologic response in each of the following breast cancer subtype: Triple negative breast cancer (TPN), HER2-positive, and ER-positive/HER2-negative cancers. One-hundred and eight patients, 71 with invasive ductal carcinoma and 37 with infiltrating lobular carcinoma were evaluate with 18F-FDG-PEM scans before and after of NAC. We assessed the impact of 2 PEM semi-quantitative parameters for molecular subtype correlated with pathologic response according Miller-Payne grade (MPG). After NAC, an overall reduction of 2 PEM semi-quantitative parameters was found. Neither breast cancer subtypes nor Ki67 modified chemotherapy responses. Compared to PUVmax, an overall increase of LTB was found in baseline condition, independent of the expressed immunophenotype. Post-treatment values of PUVmax revealed a significant reduction compared to baseline values (4.8 ± 0.26 vs. 1.9 ± 0.18; P < 0.001) and LTB exhibited a significant decay after the first course of NAC (15.8 ± 1.36 vs. 5.5 ± 0.49; P < 0.001). Using the Kruskal-Wallis H test which showed no correlation between the different molecular subtypes and the MPG and PUVmax and LTB (P = 0.52). Two PEM semi-quantitative parameters demonstrated a statically significant correlation and equivalence across the different breast cancer subtypes correlated with pathologic response according to MPG. PEM did not allow for prediction of NAC response in terms of breast cancer biomarkers, it is not discarded that this technology might be helpful for individual treatment stratification in breast cancer.

Impact of a federal program on response rate & survival, in a cohort of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Analysis in a single national reference institution in México.

The actual standard of care of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) includes rituximab in combination with chemotherapy, with response rates up to 76%. However, this treatment may not be accessible to many patients, particularly in developing countries, where most of the treatment must be paid from the pocket of patients or their families. In México, since 2011 a federal program has fully covered this treatment of patients with DLBCL. At the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan) in Mexico City, 214 new cases with this disease were treated without cost with the standard of care in 20 months. The mean age at diagnosis was 56.7 ± 15.9 (22-91). This series of cases was compared with a retrospective analysis of cases with DLBCL attended at the INCan between 2006-2009. A total of 264 cases were retrospectively analyzed. No differences were found in demographic and clinical characteristics at time of diagnosis. However a clear positive impact was found in the group that received full treatment thanks to this new social coverage by this new social security program. The follow-up and completion of treatment was 99 %. In contrast; from 264 in the retrospective group (79%) were treated, but only 29 (10.9%) were able to receive an optimal treatment, including rituximab. These differences in treatments had a clearly impact on the response rate: 66.8 vs. 50.7% global response (full treatment vs. retrospective group, respectively). These results demonstrate the importance of social programs that may accessible standard treatment options in countries with limited resources.

[National guidelines of diagnosis and treatment of the non-Hodgkin lymphoma]. / Guías nacionales de diagnóstico y tratamiento de linfoma no Hodgkin.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma comprises a heterogeneous group of haematological malignancies, classified according to their clinic, anatomic-pathological features and, lately, to their molecular biomarkers. Despite the therapeutic advances, nearly half of the patients will die because of this disease. The new diagnostic tools have been the cornerstone to design recent therapy targets, which must be included in the current treatment guidelines of this sort of neoplasms by means of clinical trials and evidence-based medicine. In the face of poor diagnoses devices in most of the Mexican hospitals, we recommend the present diagnose stratification, and treatment guidelines for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, based on evidence. They include the latest and most innovative therapeutic approaches, as well as specific recommendations for hospitals with limited framework and therapy resources.

Volume-of-interest assessment of oncologic response using 18F-FDG PET/CT: a phantom study.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the volume-of-interest (VOI) technique in the measurement of volume radioactivity and in the differentiation of necrotic sites from residual tumor activity in a phantom. METHODS: PET/CT was performed on a phantom filled with (18)F-FDG solution at different concentrations. The VOI was quantified in 2 sessions to evaluate the VOI measurements as a function of activity concentration in the phantom. Software was used to build the VOI, determine the volume radioactivity of the cylindric inserts (cm(3)), and compare them with their real volumes. The VOI technique was also used to discern the mixed distribution of regions of (18)F-FDG activity from cold regions that represent areas of necrosis without tumor activity. RESULTS: Volumes measured with the VOI technique were similar to the actual volumes of cylinders in the phantom (no statistical differences; P > 0.05 after t test analysis). The diameter of cold inserts correlated positively with the percentage of visualization (P < 0.01); in both sessions, it was possible to visualize 100% of the 12.7-, 11.1-, and 9.5-mm cold rods. CONCLUSION: VOI technique has shown great potential for evaluating volume radioactivity and differentiating hot and cold regions in a phantom; clinical studies should be performed with this technique to evaluate its utility.

Autoclaved bone autograph reconstituted with autologous bone marrow.

BACKGROUND: Bone reconstruction is a common problem in the oncological setting. Mandibular reconstruction is done with microvascularized free flaps, but noticeable differences in shape and size exist in relation to the normal mandible; consequently, new reconstructive methods are desirable. We explored the feasibility of recovering osseous viability using a sterilized mandibular segment reconstituted with autologous bone marrow. METHODS: A 6- to 7-cm mandibular segment was excised in three Creole dogs. The segment was autoclaved for 40 min. The bone was then drilled, producing 3-mm holes every 10-mm. Bone was reconstituted with autologous bone marrow from the iliac spine mixed with particulated bone. Bone autograph was installed underneath the latissimus dorsi muscle. RESULTS: On week four after surgery, dogs received colloidal rhenium and were placed in a gamma camera. The study showed uptake of the radiotracer in the bone graft, demonstrating viability of bone marrow. One hour later, the autograph was excised in two dogs and a histopathological study corroborated the viability of the bone marrow and the formation of new vessels and osteoid. On week twelve, the third dog was administered MDP-99Tc and placed in a gamma camera. Results proved production of new bone. CONCLUSIONS: Osseous reconstruction with microvascularized flaps may cause problems, but sterilized bone reconstituted with bone marrow becomes viable. This observation eventually would allow osseous reconstruction, including the mandibule, easily and reliably in patients with osseous tumors. Autoclaved bone reconstituted with bone marrow recovers its viability.