Prognostic Impact of Elevation of Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) in Patients With Early Breast Cancer With Normal Serum CA15-3 Level / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose@#Cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) is a serum tumor marker for breast cancer (BC) extensively used in clinical practice. CA15-3 is non-invasive, easily available, and a costeffective tumor marker for immediate diagnosis, monitoring and prediction of BC recurrence. We hypothesized that an elevation of CA15-3 may have prognostic impact in patients with early BC with normal serum CA15-3 level. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective cohort study, which included patients with BC who received curative surgery at a comprehensive single institution between 2000 and 2016.CA15-3 levels from 0 to 30 U/mL were considered normal, and patients who had CA15-3 > 30 U/mL, were excluded from the study. @*Results@#The mean age of study participants (n = 11,452) was 49.3 years. The proportion of participants with elevated CA15-3 ≥ 1 standard deviation (SD) compared with the previous examination during follow-up was 23.3% (n = 2,666). During the follow-up (median followup 5.8 years), 790 patients experienced recurrence. The fully-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for recurrence comparing participants with stable CA15-3 level to subjects with elevated CA15-3 level was 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52–2.03). In addition, if the CA15-3was elevated ≥ 1 SD, the risk was much higher (HR, 6.87; 95% CI, 5.81–8.11) than in patients without elevated CA15-3 ≥ 1 SD. In sensitivity analysis, the recurrence risk was consistently higher in participants with elevated CA15-3 levels than in participants without elevated CA15-3 levels. The association between elevated CA15-3 levels and incidence of recurrence was observed in all subtypes and the association was stronger in patients with N+ than in patients with N0 stage (p-value for interaction < 0.01). @*Conclusion@#The results of the present study demonstrated that elevation of CA15-3 in patients with early BC and initial normal serum CA15-3 levels has a prognostic impact.

Discovery of potential imaging and therapeutic targets for severe inflammation in COVID-19 patients

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 540,000 deaths globally. Hyperinflammation mediated by dysregulated monocyte/macrophage function is considered to be the key factor that triggers severe illness in COVID-19. However, no specific targeting molecule has been identified for detecting or treating hyperinflammation related to dysregulated macrophages in severe COVID-19. Herein, we suggest candidate targets for imaging and therapy in severe COVID-19 by analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing data based on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of COVID-19 patients. We found that expression of SLC2A3, which can be imaged by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose, was higher in macrophages from severe COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, by integrating the surface target database and drug-target binding database with RNA-sequencing data of severe COVID-19, we identified CCR1 and FPR1 as surface and druggable targets for drug delivery as well as molecular imaging. Our results provide a resource for candidate targets in the development of specific imaging and therapy for COVID-19-related hyperinflammation.

Findings of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography and Its Relation with Quantitative Coronary Angiography in Patients with Significant Stenosis of the Left Main Coronary Artery

OBJECTIVE: Unrecognized left main coronary artery disease (LMCD) is often fatal; however, accuracy of non-invasive tests for diagnosing LMCD is still unsatisfactory. This study was performed to elucidate single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) detection of LMCD using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients (39 men; mean age, 68.1 ± 10.9 years) diagnosed with significant left main (LM) stenosis (≥ 50%) by invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were retrospectively reviewed. All study patients underwent SPECT with pharmacologic stress within 30 days of ICA. All coronary lesions were quantified via QCA, and SPECT findings were compared with QCA results. RESULTS: Only four patients (7.3%) had isolated LMCD; all others had combined significant stenosis (≥ 70%) of one or more other epicardial coronary arteries. Patients with more severe coronary artery disease tended to have higher values for summed difference scores in a greater number of regions, but the specific pattern was not clearly defined. Summed stress score of SPECT did not differ according to LM stenosis severity. Only three patients (5.4%) had a typical LM pattern of reversible perfusion defect on SPECT. A significant negative linear correlation between stenosis severity and stress perfusion percent was found in the left anterior descending artery region (r = −0.455, p < 0.001) but not in the left circumflex artery. CONCLUSION: Single-photon emission computed tomography findings were heterogeneous, not specific and poorly correlated to QCA data in patients with significant LMCD. This may be due to highly prevalent significant stenosis of other epicardial coronary arteries.

Quantitative Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Salivary Gland Dysfunction in Sjögren's Syndrome Patients / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the usefulness of quantitative salivary single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) using Tc-99m pertechnetate in Sjögren's syndrome (SS).METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed quantitative salivary SPECT/CT data from 95 xerostomic patients who were classified as either SS (n = 47, male:female = 0:47, age = 54.60 ± 13.16 y [mean ± SD]) or non-SS (n = 48, male:female = 5:43, age = 54.94 ± 14.04 y) by combination of anti-SSA/Ro antibody, labial salivary gland biopsy, unstimulated whole saliva flow rate, and Schirmer's test. Thyroid cancer patients (n = 43, male:female = 19:24, age = 46.37 ± 12.13 y) before radioactive iodine therapy served as negative controls. Quantitative SPECT/CT was performed pre-stimulatory 20 min and post-stimulatory 40 min after injection of Tc-99m pertechnetate (15 mCi). The %injected dose at 20 min and the %excretion between 20 and 40 min were calculated for parotid and submandibular glands, generating four quantitative parameters: %parotid uptake (%PU), %submandibular uptake (%SU), %parotid excretion (%PE), and %submandibular excretion (%SE). The most useful parameter for SS diagnosis was investigated.RESULTS: The uptake parameters (%PU and %SU) were significantly different among the SS, non-SS, and negative controls (p = 0.005 for %PU and p < 0.001 for %SU, respectively), but the excretion parameters (%PE and %SE) were not (p > 0.05 for both). The%PU and%SU were significantly lower in SS than in the negative controls and non-SS (p < 0.05 for all pair-wise comparisons). Additionally, the %SU was significantly lower in non-SS than in the negative controls (p < 0.05). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that the %SU had the greatest area-under-the curve of 0.720 (95% confidence interval = 0.618–0.807). Using the optimal cut-off value of %SU ≤ 0.07%, SS was identified with a sensitivity of 70.21% and a specificity of 70.83%.CONCLUSION: Reduced submandibular uptake of Tc-99m pertechnetate at 20 min (%SU) was proved useful for the diagnosis of SS. Quantitative salivary gland SPECT/CT holds promise as an objective imaging modality for assessment of salivary dysfunction and may facilitate accurate classification of SS.

Correlation of FDG PET/CT Findings with Long-Term Growth and Clinical Course of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Herein, we report characteristics of ¹⁸F–fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) during a long-term follow-up. In addition, we investigated the association between FDG uptake and the physician decision to perform an intervention.METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 42 patients with AAAs who underwent FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). The size of the AAA was measured in serial CT or PET/CT images. The long-term growth rate of AAAs was calculated by linear regression of the size change. Maximal SUV of the AAA (SUV(AAA)) and mean SUV of the blood pool (SUV(Blood)) were measured in PET/CT fusion images. To assess the FDG uptake of AAAs, the target-to-background ratio (TBR) was defined as the ratio of SUV(AAA) to SUV(Blood). We compared FDG uptake of AAAs with the long-term growth rate of AAAs and clinical data.RESULTS: TBR was not significantly different between patients with and without significant growth (1.55 ± 0.20 vs. 1.57 ± 0.14; P = 0.5599).However, in patients with significant growth, TBR exhibited a significant positive correlation with the growth rate (r² = 0.2601, P = 0.0306). TBR also exhibited a significant difference between patients with and without intervention (P = 0.0228).CONCLUSION: FDG uptake of AAA is associated with long-term growth of AAAs in a specified group that exhibits growth. FDG PET/CT may only be effective in predicting the long-term growth of AAAs in specific subgroups of patients. It is also suggested that FDG PET is potentially related to the clinical conditions of AAA patients who need surgical or interventional treatment.

Quantitative Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Salivary Gland Dysfunction in Sjögren's Syndrome Patients / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE@#The purpose of the study was to investigate the usefulness of quantitative salivary single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) using Tc-99m pertechnetate in Sjögren's syndrome (SS).@*METHODS@#We retrospectively reviewed quantitative salivary SPECT/CT data from 95 xerostomic patients who were classified as either SS (n = 47, male:female = 0:47, age = 54.60 ± 13.16 y [mean ± SD]) or non-SS (n = 48, male:female = 5:43, age = 54.94 ± 14.04 y) by combination of anti-SSA/Ro antibody, labial salivary gland biopsy, unstimulated whole saliva flow rate, and Schirmer's test. Thyroid cancer patients (n = 43, male:female = 19:24, age = 46.37 ± 12.13 y) before radioactive iodine therapy served as negative controls. Quantitative SPECT/CT was performed pre-stimulatory 20 min and post-stimulatory 40 min after injection of Tc-99m pertechnetate (15 mCi). The %injected dose at 20 min and the %excretion between 20 and 40 min were calculated for parotid and submandibular glands, generating four quantitative parameters: %parotid uptake (%PU), %submandibular uptake (%SU), %parotid excretion (%PE), and %submandibular excretion (%SE). The most useful parameter for SS diagnosis was investigated.@*RESULTS@#The uptake parameters (%PU and %SU) were significantly different among the SS, non-SS, and negative controls (p = 0.005 for %PU and p 0.05 for both). The%PU and%SU were significantly lower in SS than in the negative controls and non-SS (p < 0.05 for all pair-wise comparisons). Additionally, the %SU was significantly lower in non-SS than in the negative controls (p < 0.05). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that the %SU had the greatest area-under-the curve of 0.720 (95% confidence interval = 0.618–0.807). Using the optimal cut-off value of %SU ≤ 0.07%, SS was identified with a sensitivity of 70.21% and a specificity of 70.83%.@*CONCLUSION@#Reduced submandibular uptake of Tc-99m pertechnetate at 20 min (%SU) was proved useful for the diagnosis of SS. Quantitative salivary gland SPECT/CT holds promise as an objective imaging modality for assessment of salivary dysfunction and may facilitate accurate classification of SS.

Correlation of FDG PET/CT Findings with Long-Term Growth and Clinical Course of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE@#Herein, we report characteristics of ¹⁸F–fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) during a long-term follow-up. In addition, we investigated the association between FDG uptake and the physician decision to perform an intervention.@*METHODS@#We performed a retrospective review of 42 patients with AAAs who underwent FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). The size of the AAA was measured in serial CT or PET/CT images. The long-term growth rate of AAAs was calculated by linear regression of the size change. Maximal SUV of the AAA (SUV(AAA)) and mean SUV of the blood pool (SUV(Blood)) were measured in PET/CT fusion images. To assess the FDG uptake of AAAs, the target-to-background ratio (TBR) was defined as the ratio of SUV(AAA) to SUV(Blood). We compared FDG uptake of AAAs with the long-term growth rate of AAAs and clinical data.@*RESULTS@#TBR was not significantly different between patients with and without significant growth (1.55 ± 0.20 vs. 1.57 ± 0.14; P = 0.5599).However, in patients with significant growth, TBR exhibited a significant positive correlation with the growth rate (r² = 0.2601, P = 0.0306). TBR also exhibited a significant difference between patients with and without intervention (P = 0.0228).@*CONCLUSION@#FDG uptake of AAA is associated with long-term growth of AAAs in a specified group that exhibits growth. FDG PET/CT may only be effective in predicting the long-term growth of AAAs in specific subgroups of patients. It is also suggested that FDG PET is potentially related to the clinical conditions of AAA patients who need surgical or interventional treatment.

Unusual Contralateral Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in a Second Primary Breast Cancer Detected by FDG PET/CT and Lymphoscintigraphy / 대한핵의학회잡지

Contralateral metastatic axillary lymph nodes in a patient with breast cancer is a rare condition. Here, we present a 55-year-old woman with a second primary breast cancer. The patient underwent ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) for staging work-up. Additionally, preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed to detect sentinel lymph nodes. FDG PET/CT demonstrated increased FDG uptake in the left nipple and right axillary lymph nodes. Lymphoscintigraphy identified the right axillary lymph nodes which was consistent with the FDG PET/CT findings. This case emphasizes the usefulness of FDG PET/CT and lymphoscintigraphy for identifying unpredictable contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis from a second primary breast cancer.

Incidentally Detected Small Intestine Intussusception Caused by Primary Small Intestine Carcinoma on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT / 대한핵의학회잡지

Small intestine intussusception in adults is a rare condition mainly caused by primary or metastatic small intestine malignancy. Here, we present a 72-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with small intestine cancer that was presented as small intestine intussusception on hybrid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT). The patient was initially referred for an abnormality on a chest radiography and severe anemia. FDG PET/CT showed the lung lesion in the right upper lobe of lung as a high FDG uptake mass. Accidentally, FDG PET demonstrated another intense hypermetabolic intraluminal lesion in the small intestine accompanied with intussusception shown as a circumferential hypermetabolic wall. By pathologic examination, the patient was diagnosed as primary small intestine cancer with lung metastasis. This case highlights usefulness of hybrid FDG PET/CT to identify unexpected malignancy.

F-18 Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Detection of Thyroid Cancer Bone Metastasis Compared with Bone Scintigraphy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic performances of F-18 sodium fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography (bone PET/CT) and bone scintigraphy (BS) for the detection of thyroid cancer bone metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 6 thyroid cancer patients (age = 44.7 ± 9.8 years, M:F = 1:5, papillary:follicular = 2:4) with suspected bone metastatic lesions in the whole body iodine scintigraphy or BS, who subsequently underwent bone PET/CT. Pathologic diagnosis was conducted for 4 lesions of 4 patients. RESULTS: Of the 17 suspected bone lesions, 10 were metastatic and 7 benign. Compared to BS, bone PET/CT exhibited superior sensitivity (10/10 = 100% vs. 2/10 = 20%, p = 0.008), and accuracy (14/17 = 82.4% vs. 7/17 = 41.2%, p 0.05). CONCLUSION: Bone PET/CT may be more sensitive and accurate than BS for the detection of thyroid cancer bone metastasis.