Introduction

[¹¹C]metomidate, a methyl ester analogue of etomidate, is used for positron emission tomography of adrenocortical cancer, and has been tested in recent clinical trials for lateralization in primary aldosteronism (PA). However, in PA, visualization as well as uptake quantification are hampered by the tracer’s rather high non-specific liver uptake, and its overall clinical usefulness is also limited by the short 20-minute half-life of carbon-11. Therefore, we evaluated para-chloro-2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl-etomidate, [¹⁸F]CETO, a fluorine-18 (T1/2=109.8 min) analogue, as a potential new adrenocortical PET tracer.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess in vivo and in-human radiation dosimetry of [¹⁸F]CETO.

Methods: Residence times were calculated based on uptake data from rats (n=30, biodistribution study with ex vivo measurements) as well as in vivo PET/CT in cynomolgus (n=1) and humans (n=9). OLINDA 1.1 was used to obtain absorbed doses in human organs (mGy/MBq) and effective dose (mSv/MBq).

Results

[¹⁸F]CETO showed a high uptake in human adrenal glands, still increasing at 90 minutes post injection. Regardless of species used for input data (rat, cynomolgus or human), adrenal glands (absorbed dose 0.093 ± 0.038 mGy/MBq based on human data) were confirmed as the dose-limiting organs. The effective dose based on human data was 18.2 μSv/MBq and varied little when using rat (18.4 μSv/MBq) or cynomolgus data (16.1 μSv/MBq). 

Conclusions

[¹⁸F]CETO has a favourable biodistribution in humans for adrenal imaging. The effective dose for a typical clinical PET/CT examination with 200 MBq [¹⁸F]CETO  is 3.6 mSv.

Purpose

[¹¹C]Metomidate positron emission tomography (PET) is currently used for staging of adrenocortical carcinoma and for lateralization in primary aldosteronism (PA). Due to the short half-life of carbon-11 and a high non-specific liver uptake of [¹¹C]metomidate there is a need for improved adrenal imaging methods. In a previous pre-clinical study para-chloro-2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyletomidate has been proven to be a specific adrenal tracer. The objective is to perform a first evaluation of para-chloro-2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyletomidate positron emission computed tomography ([¹⁸F]CETO-PET/CT) in patients with adrenal tumours and healthy volunteers.

Methods

Fifteen patients underwent [¹⁸F]CETO-PET/CT. Five healthy volunteers were recruited for test-retest analysis and three out of the five underwent additional [¹⁵O]water PET/CT to measure adrenal blood flow. Arterial blood sampling and tracer metabolite analysis was performed. The kinetics of [¹⁸F]CETO were assessed and simplified quantitative methods were validated by comparison to outcome measures of tracer kinetic analysis.

Results

Uptake of [¹⁸F]CETO was low in the liver and high in adrenals. Initial metabolization was rapid, followed by a plateau. The kinetics of [¹⁸F]CETO in healthy adrenals and all adrenal pathologies, except for adrenocortical carcinoma, were best described by an irreversible single-tissue compartment model. Standardized uptake values (SUV) correlated well with the uptake rate constant K₁. Both K₁ and SUV were highly correlated to adrenal blood flow in healthy controls. Repeatability coefficients of K₁, SUV_65–70, and SUV₁₂₀ were 25, 22, and 17%.

Conclusions

High adrenal uptake combined with a low unspecific liver uptake suggests that ¹⁸F]CETO is a suitable tracer for adrenal imaging. Adrenal SUV, based on a whole-body scan at 1 h p.i., correlated well with the net uptake rate K_i.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05361083 Retrospectively registered 29 April 2022. at, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05361083

Introduction: [¹¹C]Metomidate ([¹¹C]MTO), the methyl ester analogue of etomidate, was developed as a positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for adrenocortical tumours and has also been suggested for imaging in primary aldosteronism (PA). A disadvantage of [¹¹C]MTO is the rather high non-specific binding in the liver, which impacts both visualization and quantification of the uptake in the right adrenal gland. Furthermore, the short 20-minute half-life of carbon-11 is a logistic challenge in the clinical setting.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to further evaluate the previously published fluorine-18 (T1/2=109.5 min) etomidate analogue, para-chloro-2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl etomidate; [¹⁸F]CETO, as an adrenal PET tracer.

Methods: In vitro experiments included autoradiography on human and cynomolgus monkey (non-human primate, NHP) tissues and binding studies on adrenal tissue from NHPs. In vivo studies with [¹⁸F]CETO in mice, rats and NHP, using PET and CT/MRI, assessed biodistribution and binding specificity in comparison to [¹¹C]MTO.

Results: The binding of [¹⁸F]CETO in the normal adrenal cortex, as well as in human adrenocortical adenomas and adrenocortical carcinomas, was shown to be specific, both in vitro (in humans) and in vivo (in rats and NHP) with an in vitro Kd of 0.66 nM. Non-specific uptake of [¹⁸F]CETO in NHP liver was found to be low compared to that of [¹¹C]MTO.

Conclusions: High specificity of [¹⁸F]CETO to the adrenal cortex was demonstrated, with in vivo binding properties qualitatively surpassing those of [¹¹C]MTO. Non-specific binding to the liver was significantly lower than that of [¹¹C]MTO. [¹⁸F]CETO is a promising new PET tracer for imaging of adrenocortical disease and should be evaluated further in humans.

With this summarized document we share the standard for positron emission tomography (PET)/(diagnostic)computed tomography (CT) imaging procedures in cardiovascular diseases that are inflammatory, infective, infiltrative, or associated with dysfunctional innervation (4Is) as recently published in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. This standard should be applied in clinical practice and integrated in clinical (multicentre) trials for optimal standardization of the procedurals and interpretations. A major focus is put on procedures using [18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG), but 4Is PET radiopharmaceuticals beyond [18F]FDG are also described in this summarized document. Whilst these novel tracers are currently mainly applied in early clinical trials, some multicentre trials are underway and we foresee in the near future their use in clinical care and inclusion in the clinical guidelines. Diagnosis and management of 4Is related cardiovascular diseases are generally complex and often require a multidisciplinary approach by a team of experts. The new standards described herein should be applied when using PET/CT and PET/magnetic resonance, within a multimodality imaging framework both in clinical practice and in clinical trials for 4Is cardiovascular indications.

With this document, we provide a standard for PET/(diagnostic) CT imaging procedures in cardiovascular diseases that are inflammatory, infective, infiltrative, or associated with dysfunctional innervation (4Is). This standard should be applied in clinical practice and integrated in clinical (multicenter) trials for optimal procedural standardization. A major focus is put on procedures using [¹⁸F]FDG, but 4Is PET radiopharmaceuticals beyond [¹⁸F]FDG are also described in this document. Whilst these novel tracers are currently mainly applied in early clinical trials, some multicenter trials are underway and we foresee in the near future their use in clinical care and inclusion in the clinical guidelines. Finally, PET/MR applications in 4Is cardiovascular diseases are also briefly described. Diagnosis and management of 4Is-related cardiovascular diseases are generally complex and often require a multidisciplinary approach by a team of experts. The new standards described herein should be applied when using PET/CT and PET/MR, within a multimodality imaging framework both in clinical practice and in clinical trials for 4Is cardiovascular indications.

In daily clinical practice, clinicians integrate available data to ascertain the diagnostic and prognostic probability of a disease or clinical outcome for their patients. For patients with suspected or known cardiovascular disease, several anatomical and functional imaging techniques are commonly performed to aid this endeavor, including coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and nuclear cardiology imaging. Continuous improvement in positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and CT hardware and software has resulted in improved diagnostic performance and wide implementation of these imaging techniques in daily clinical practice. However, the human ability to interpret, quantify, and integrate these data sets is limited. The identification of novel markers and application of machine learning (ML) algorithms, including deep learning (DL) to cardiovascular imaging techniques will further improve diagnosis and prognostication for patients with cardiovascular diseases. The goal of this position paper of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) is to provide an overview of the general concepts behind modern machine learning-based artificial intelligence, highlights currently prefered methods, practices, and computational models, and proposes new strategies to support the clinical application of ML in the field of cardiovascular imaging using nuclear cardiology (hybrid) and CT techniques.

PET/MR systems demanded great efforts for accurate attenuation correction (AC) but differences in technology, geometry and hardware attenuation may also affect quantitative results. Dedicated PET systems using transmission-based AC are regarded as the gold standard for quantitative brain PET. The study aim was to investigate the agreement between quantitative PET outcomes from a PET/MR scanner against a stand-alone PET system.Nine patients with Parkinsonism underwent two 80-min dynamic PET scans with the dopamine transporter ligand [11C]PE2I. Images were reconstructed with resolution-matched settings using 68Ge-transmission (standalone PET), and zero-echo-time MR (PET/MR) scans for AC. Non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) and relative delivery (R1) were evaluated using volumes of interest and voxel-wise analysis.Correlations between systems were high (r >= 0.85) for both quantitative outcome parameters in all brain regions. Striatal BPND was significantly lower on PET/MR than on stand-alone PET (-7%). R1 was significantly overestimated in posterior cortical regions (9%) and underestimated in striatal (-9%) and limbic areas (-6%). The voxel-wise evaluation revealed that the MR-safe headphones caused a negative bias in both parametric BPND and R1 images. Additionally, a significant positive bias of R1 was found in the auditory cortex, most likely due to the acoustic background noise during MR imaging. The relative bias of the quantitative [11C]PE2I PET data acquired from a SIGNA PET/MR system was in the same order as the expected test-retest reproducibility of [11C]PE2I BPND and R1, compared to a stand-alone ECAT PET scanner. MR headphones and background noise are potential sources of error in functional PET/MR studies.

Accurate attenuation correction (AC) in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is a prerequisite for obtaining quantitatively correct images and ⁶⁸Ge-AC is considered the gold standard for PET AC. In this study we developed an alternative AC method for PET/MR, based on the registration of a database of ⁶⁸Ge-AC maps and T1-weighted MR image pairs. The present work aimed to evaluate this composite ⁶⁸Ge transmission AC (CTR-AC) method’s reliability compared to 68Ge-AC. The CTR database comprised 125 pairs of previously acquired ⁶⁸Ge-AC maps and T1-MRI scans. Ten patients underwent 80-min dynamic PET scans with the dopamine transporter ligand [¹¹C]PE2I on a SIGNA PET/MR. Images were reconstructed using a CTR-AC map and a previously acquired patient-specific ⁶⁸Ge-AC map on a stand-alone PET scanner. SUV as well as outcome parameters of [¹¹C]PE2I kinetic analysis, i.e., relative delivery (R₁) and dopamine transporter availability (BP_ND), were compared on a VOI and voxel-by-voxel basis.

CTR-AC showed high accuracy, with a mean bias of 0 ± 3% for whole-brain SUV, -0.1 ± 3.2% for whole-brain R₁, and 3.7 ± 8.1% for striatal BP_ND. The precision of SUV and R1 was modest and lowest in the anterior cortex, with an R₁ bias of -1.1 ± 6.4%.

CTR-AC is straightforward and provides MRAC maps with continuous linear attenuation coefficient values. The method’s accuracy is comparable to the best MRAC methods published so far, with a near-zero bias in SUV and a bias similar to that previously found for ZTE-AC in outcome parameters of kinetic modelling.

Dedicated PET systems using transmission-based attenuation correction (AC) are regarded as the gold standard for quantitative brain PET. PET/MR systems demanded great efforts for accurate AC but differences in technology, geometry and hardware attenuation may also affect quantitative results. This study compares PET quantitative outcomes between a stand-alone PET and PET/MR scanner.

Ten patients with parkinsonism underwent two 80-min dynamic PET scans with the dopamine transporter ligand [11C]PE2I. Images were reconstructed using resolution-matched settings and transmission scans (stand-alone PET) and zero-echo-time (PET/MR) for AC. SUV, relative delivery (R1), and dopamine transporter availability (BPND) were compared on a VOI- and voxel-basis. 

Correlations between systems were high (≥ 0.85) for all quantitative parameters. On VOI-basis, striatal BPND was significantly lower on PET/MR than on stand-alone PET (-7%). R1 was significantly overestimated in posterior cortical regions (9%) and underestimated in striatal (-9%) and limbic areas (-6%). SUV showed a similar pattern as R1. Voxel-by-voxel analysis showed significant positive bias of R1 in the auditory cortex.

PET/MR significantly underestimated striatal BPND, similar to previously reported [11C]PE2I BPND  test-retest variability. The acoustic noise in the PET/MR environment may attribute to an overestimation of R1 in the auditory cortex, which needs consideration when using PET/MR data.

In positron emission tomography (PET), ⁶⁸Ge-transmission scanning is considered the gold standard in attenuation correction (AC) though not available in current dual imaging systems. In this experimental study we evaluated a novel AC method for PET/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging which is essentially based on a composite database of multiple ⁶⁸Ge-transmission maps and T1-weighted (T1w) MR image-pairs (composite transmission, CTR-AC). This proof-of-concept study used retrospectively a database with 125 pairs of co-registered ⁶⁸Ge-AC maps and T1w MR images from anatomical normal subjects and a validation dataset comprising dynamic [¹¹C]PE2I PET data from nine patients with Parkinsonism. CTR-AC maps were generated by non-rigid image registration of all database T1w MRI to each subject's T1w, applying the same transformation to every ⁶⁸Ge-AC map, and averaging the resulting ⁶⁸Ge-AC maps. [¹¹C]PE2I PET images were reconstructed using CTR-AC and a patient-specific ⁶⁸Ge-AC map as the reference standard. Standardized uptake values (SUV) and quantitative parameters of kinetic analysis were compared, i.e., relative delivery (R₁) and non-displaceable binding potential (BP_ND). CTR-AC showed high accuracy for whole-brain SUV (mean %bias ± SD: 0.5 ± 3.5%), whole-brain R₁ (-0.1 ± 3.2%), and putamen BP_ND (3.7 ± 8.1%). SUV and R₁ precision (SD of %bias) were modest and lowest in the anterior cortex, with an R₁ %bias of -1.1 ± 6.4%). The prototype CTR-AC is capable of providing accurate MRAC-maps with continuous linear attenuation coefficients though still experimental. The method's accuracy is comparable to the best MRAC methods published so far, both in SUV and as found for ZTE-AC in quantitative parameters of kinetic modelling.

Background: MRI does not offer a direct method to obtain attenuation correction maps as its predecessors (stand-alone PET and PET/CT), and bone visualisation is particularly challenging. Recently, zero-echo-time (ZTE) was suggested for MR-based attenuation correction (AC). The aim of this work was to evaluate ZTE- and atlas-AC by comparison to ⁶⁸Ge-transmission scan-based AC.

Nine patients underwent brain PET/MR and stand-alone PET scanning using the dopamine transporter ligand ¹¹C-PE2I. For each of them, two AC maps were obtained from the MR images: an atlas-based, obtained from T1-weighted LAVA-FLEX imaging with cortical bone inserted using a CT-based atlas, and an AC map generated from proton-density-weighted ZTE images. Stand-alone PET ⁶⁸Ge-transmission AC map was used as gold standard. PET images were reconstructed using the three AC methods and standardised uptake value (SUV) values for the striatal, limbic and cortical regions, as well as the cerebellum (VOIs) were compared. SUV ratio (SUVR) values normalised for the cerebellum were also assessed. Bias, precision and agreement were calculated; statistical significance was evaluated using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test.

Results: Both ZTE- and atlas-AC showed a similar bias of 6–8% in SUV values across the regions. Correlation coefficients with ⁶⁸Ge-AC were consistently high for ZTE-AC (r 0.99 for all regions), whereas they were lower for atlas-AC, varying from 0.99 in the striatum to 0.88 in the posterior cortical regions. SUVR showed an overall bias of 2.9 and 0.5% for atlas-AC and ZTE-AC, respectively. Correlations with ⁶⁸Ge-AC were higher for ZTE-AC, varying from 0.99 in the striatum to 0.96 in the limbic regions, compared to atlas-AC (0.99 striatum to 0.77 posterior cortex).

Conclusions: Absolute SUV values showed less variability for ZTE-AC than for atlas-AC when compared to ⁶⁸Ge-AC, but bias was similar for both methods. This bias is largely caused by higher linear attenuation coefficients in atlas- and ZTE-AC image compared to ⁶⁸Ge-images. For SUVR, bias was lower when using ZTE-AC than for atlas-AC. ZTE-AC shows to be a more robust technique than atlas-AC in terms of both intra- and inter-patient variability.

BACKGROUND: A valid photon attenuation correction (AC) method is instrumental for obtaining quantitatively correct PET images. Integrated PET/MR systems provide no direct information on attenuation, and novel methods for MR-based AC (MRAC) are still under investigation. Evaluations of various AC methods have mainly focused on static brain PET acquisitions. In this study, we determined the validity of three MRAC methods in a dynamic PET/MR study of the brain.

METHODS: Nine participants underwent dynamic brain PET/MR scanning using the dopamine transporter radioligand [¹¹C]PE2I. Three MRAC methods were evaluated: single-atlas (Atlas), multi-atlas (MaxProb) and zero-echo-time (ZTE). The ⁶⁸Ge-transmission data from a previous stand-alone PET scan was used as reference method. Parametric relative delivery (R₁) images and binding potential (BP_ND) maps were generated using cerebellar grey matter as reference region. Evaluation was based on bias in MRAC maps, accuracy and precision of [¹¹C]PE2I BP_ND and R₁ estimates, and [¹¹C]PE2I time-activity curves. BP_ND was examined for striatal regions and R₁ in clusters of regions across the brain.

RESULTS: For BP_ND, ZTE-MRAC showed the highest accuracy (bias < 2%) in striatal regions. Atlas-MRAC exhibited a significant bias in caudate nucleus (- 12%) while MaxProb-MRAC revealed a substantial, non-significant bias in the putamen (9%). R₁ estimates had a marginal bias for all MRAC methods (- 1.0-3.2%). MaxProb-MRAC showed the largest intersubject variability for both R₁ and BP_ND. Standardized uptake values (SUV) of striatal regions displayed the strongest average bias for ZTE-MRAC (~ 10%), although constant over time and with the smallest intersubject variability. Atlas-MRAC had highest variation in bias over time (+10 to - 10%), followed by MaxProb-MRAC (+5 to - 5%), but MaxProb showed the lowest mean bias. For the cerebellum, MaxProb-MRAC showed the highest variability while bias was constant over time for Atlas- and ZTE-MRAC.

CONCLUSIONS: Both Maxprob- and ZTE-MRAC performed better than Atlas-MRAC when using a ⁶⁸Ge transmission scan as reference method. Overall, ZTE-MRAC showed the highest precision and accuracy in outcome parameters of dynamic [¹¹C]PE2I PET analysis with use of kinetic modelling.

INTRODUCTION: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) deficiency is suggested in depressive disorders, along with alterations in cortical excitability. However, whether these excitability changes are related to GABAA receptor availability is largely unknown. Our aim was to assess the correlation between these measures in depressed patients and healthy controls.

METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with a major depressive episode, measured before and after participating in a clinical trial with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and 15 controls underwent [11C]flumazenil positron emission tomography to assess GABAA receptor availability and paired pulse TMS (ppTMS) to evaluate cortical excitability. Both whole-brain voxel-wise GABAA receptor availability and mean values from left hand motor cortex and left paracentral lobule were correlated to the ppTMS outcomes: short-interval intracortical inhibition reflecting GABAA receptor activity, long-interval intracortical inhibition representing GABAB receptor activity, intracortical facilitation reflecting glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor activity, as well as the resting motor threshold (rMT), considered a global measure of corticospinal excitability.

RESULTS: No significant differences in baseline GABAA receptor availability or cortical excitability were found between patients and controls. Additionally, no correlations were observed between baseline measurements of GABAA receptor availability and TMS outcomes. Changes in GABAA receptor availability in the hand motor cortex, between pre- and post-assessments, were inversely related to pre-post changes in hand rMT.

CONCLUSION: We found that a change in GABAA receptor availability was inversely related to a change in rMT, suggesting a link between GABA deficiency and increased rMT previously observed in depressive episodes. The results highlight the complex mechanisms governing cortical excitability measures and offer new insight into their properties during the depressive state.

AIM: To develop a method for diagnosing left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy from cardiac perfusion ¹⁵O-water positron emission tomography (PET).

METHODS: We retrospectively pooled data from 139 subjects in four research cohorts. LV remodeling patterns ranged from normal to severe eccentric and concentric hypertrophy. ¹⁵O-water PET scans (n = 197) were performed with three different PET devices. A low-end scanner (66 scans) was used for method development, and remaining scans with newer devices for a blinded evaluation. Dynamic data were converted into parametric images of perfusable tissue fraction for semi-automatic delineation of the LV wall and calculation of LV mass (LVM) and septal wall thickness (WT). LVM and WT from PET were compared to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR, n = 47) and WT to 2D-echocardiography (2DE, n = 36). PET accuracy was tested using linear regression, Bland-Altman plots, and ROC curves. Observer reproducibility were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients.

RESULTS: High correlations were found in the blinded analyses (r ≥ 0.87, P < 0.0001 for all). AUC for detecting increased LVM and WT (> 12 mm and > 15 mm) was ≥ 0.95 (P < 0.0001 for all). Reproducibility was excellent (ICC ≥ 0.93, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: ¹⁵O-water PET might detect LV hypertrophy with high accuracy and precision.

The expression status of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) predicts the response of HER2-targeted therapy in breast cancer. ABY-025 is a small reengineered Affibody molecule targeting a unique epitope of the HER2 receptor, not occupied by current therapeutic agents. This study evaluated the distribution, safety, dosimetry, and efficacy of In-111-ABY-025 for determining the HER2 status in metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Seven patients with metastatic breast cancer and HER2-positive (n = 5) or - negative (n 5 2) primary tumors received an intravenous injection of approximately 100 mu g (similar to 140 MBq) of In-111-ABY-025. Planar gamma-camera imaging was performed after 30 min, followed by SPECT/CT after 4, 24, and 48 h. Blood levels of radioactivity, antibodies, shed serum HER2, and toxicity markers were evaluated. Lesional HER2 status was verified by biopsies. The metastases were located by F-18-FDG PET/CT 5 d before In-111-ABY-025 imaging. Results: Injection of In-111-ABY-025 yielded a mean effective dose of 0.15 mSv/MBq and was safe, well tolerated, and without drug-related adverse events. Fast blood clearance allowed high-contrast HER2 images within 4-24 h. No anti-ABY025 antibodies were observed. When metastatic uptake at 24 h was normalized to uptake at 4 h, the ratio increased in HER2-positive metastases and decreased in negative ones (P, < 0.05), with no overlap and confirmation by biopsies. In 1 patient, with HER2- positive primary tumor, In-111-ABY-025 imaging correctly suggested a HER2negative status of the metastases. The highest normal-tissue uptake was in the kidneys, followed by the liver and spleen. Conclusion: In-111-ABY- 025 appears safe for use in humans and is a promising noninvasive tool for discriminating HER2 status in metastatic breast cancer, regardless of ongoing HER2-targeted antibody treatment.

PURPOSE: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of HER2 expression could potentially be used to select patients for HER2-targed therapy, predict response based on uptake and be used for monitoring. In this phase I/II study the HER2-binding Affibody molecule ABY-025 was labeled with (68)Ga-gallium ([(68)Ga]ABY-025) for PET to study effect of peptide mass, test-retest variability and correlation of quantified uptake in tumors to histopathology.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Sixteen women with known metastatic breast cancer and on-going treatment were included and underwent FDG PET/CT to identify viable metastases. After iv injection of 212±46 MBq [(68)Ga]ABY-025 whole-body PET was performed at 1, 2 and 4 h. In the first 10 patients (6 with HER2-positive and 4 with HER2-negative primary tumors), [(68)Ga]ABY-025 PET/CT with two different doses of injected peptide was performed one week apart. In the last six patients (5 HER2-positive and 1 HER2-negative primary tumors), repeated [(68)Ga]ABY-025 PET were performed one week apart as a test-retest of uptake in individual lesions. Biopsies from 16 metastases in 12 patients were collected for verification of HER2 expression by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization.

RESULTS: Imaging 4h after injection with high peptide content discriminated HER2-positive metastases best (p<0.01). PET SUV correlated with biopsy HER2-scores (r=0.91, p<0.001). Uptake was five times higher in HER2-positive than in HER2-negative lesions with no overlap (p=0.005). The test-retest intra-class correlation was r=0.996. [(68)Ga]ABY-025 PET correctly identified conversion and mixed expression of HER2 and targeted treatment was changed in 3 of the 16 patients.

CONCLUSION: [(68)Ga]ABY-025 PET accurately quantifies whole-body HER2-receptor status in metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND:

Diastolic dysfunction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is accompanied by augmented left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure, above all in the presence of LV outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. Increased back-pressure may augment right ventricular (RV) afterload and induce an oxidative metabolic imbalance between the 2 ventricles. The aim was to study right-to-left ventricular oxidative metabolism in HCM and the effects of alcohol septal ablation (ASA).

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Twenty-one HCM patients were enrolled. Eleven healthy subjects served as a control group. Subjects underwent 2-dimensional echocardiography to assess LVOT gradient, left atrial size, and diastolic function. [¹¹C]Acetate positron-emission tomography (PET) was performed to determine RVk₂ and LVk₂, as a noninvasive index of oxidative metabolism. Seven HCM patients with LVOT obstruction, scheduled to undergo ASA, were also studied 6 months after the procedure. RVk₂ was higher in HCM patients than i control subjects (0.081 ± 0.021 min⁻¹ vs. 0.061 ± 0.017 min⁻¹; P = .05), whereas LVk₂ was similar between groups. Consequently, RVk₂/LVk₂ was increased in the patients (0.85 ± 0.19 vs 0.59 ± 0.13; P = .004). In patients with obstructive HCM, ASA reduced RVk₂ (0.085 ± 0.021 min⁻¹ to 0.072 ± 0.022 min⁻¹; P = .001). Inasmuch as LVk₂ remained unaffected by the procedure, RVk₂/LVk₂ was decreased after ASA (0.66 ± 0.18; P = .03). The absolute change in LVOT gradient was related to the absolute change in RVk₂ (r = 0.77; P = .044).

CONCLUSIONS:

In HCM patients, RV oxygen consumption is increased in relation to the LV. ASA reduces RV oxygen consumption in HCM patients with LVOT obstruction, suggesting that increased LV loading conditions and diastolic dysfunction play a predominant role in augmenting RV workload in these patients.

AIMS:

Next to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by microvascular dysfunction and reduced myocardial external efficiency (MEE). Insights into the presence of these abnormalities as early markers of disease are of clinical importance in risk stratification, and development of therapeutic approaches. Therefore, the aim was to investigate myocardial perfusion and energetics in genotype-positive, phenotype-negative HCM subjects (carriers).

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Fifteen carriers of an MYBPC3 mutation underwent [¹⁵O]water positron emission tomography (PET) to assess myocardial blood flow (MBF). [¹¹C]acetate PET was performed to obtain myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO₂). By use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, LV volumes and mass were defined to calculate MEE, i.e. the ratio between external work and MVO₂. Eleven healthy, genotype-negative, family relatives underwent similar scanning protocols to serve as a control group. Left ventricular mass was comparable between carriers and controls (93 ± 25 vs. 99 ± 21 g, P= 0.85), as was MBF at rest (1.19 ± 0.34 vs. 1.18 ± 0.32 mL min⁻¹ g⁻¹, P= 0.92), and during hyperaemia (3.87 ± 0.75 vs. 3.96 ± 0.86 mL min⁻¹ g⁻¹, P= 0.77). Myocardial oxygen consumption averaged 0.137 ± 0.057 mL min⁻¹ g⁻¹ in carriers and was not significantly different from controls (0.125 ± 0.043 mL min⁻¹ g⁻¹, P= 0.29). Cardiac work, however, was slightly reduced in carriers (7398 ± 1384 vs. 9139 ± 2484 mmHg mL in controls, P= 0.08). As a consequence, MEE was significantly decreased in carriers (27 ± 10 vs. 36 ± 8% in controls, P= 0.02).

CONCLUSION:

Carriers display reduced myocardial work generation in relation to oxygen consumption, in the absence of hypertrophy and flow abnormalities. Hence, impaired myocardial energetics may constitute a primary component of HCM pathogenesis.

We studied the spatial relations among hyperemic myocardial blood flow (hMBF), contractile function, and morphologic tissue alterations in 19 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). All patients were studied with oxygen-15 water positron emission tomography during rest and adenosine administration to assess myocardial perfusion. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was performed to derive delayed contrast-enhanced images and to calculate contractile function (E_cc) with tissue tagging. Eleven healthy subjects underwent similar positron emission tomographic and cardiovascular magnetic resonance scanning protocols and served as a control group. In the HC group, hMBF averaged 2.46 ± 0.91 ml/min/g and mean E_cc was −14.7 ± 3.4%, which were decreased compared to the control group (3.97 ± 1.48 ml/min/g and −17.7 ± 3.2%, respectively, p <0.001 for the 2 comparisons). Delayed contrast enhancement (DCE) was present only in patients with HC, averaging 6.2 ± 10.3% of left ventricular mass. In the HC group, E_cc and DCE in the septum (−13.7 ± 3.6% and 10.2 ± 13.6%) significantly differed from the lateral wall (−16.0 ± 2.8% and 2.4 ± 5.9%, p <0.001 for the 2 comparisons). In general, hMBF and E_cc were decreased in segments displaying DCE compared to nonenhanced segments (p <0.001 for the comparisons). In the HC group, univariate analysis revealed relations of hMBF to E_cc (r = −0.45, p <0.001) and DCE (r = −0.31, p <0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that E_cc was independently related to hMBF (beta −0.37, p <0.001) and DCE (beta 0.28, p <0.001). In conclusion, in HC hMBF is impaired and related to contractile function independent from presence of DCE. When present, DCE reflected a progressed disease state as characterized by an increased perfusion deficit and contractile dysfunction.

This study investigated the effects of alcohol septal ablation (ASA) on microcirculatory function and myocardial energetics in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. In 15 HCM patients who underwent ASA, echocardiography was performed before and 6 mo after the procedure to assess the LVOT gradient (LVOTG). Additionally, [¹⁵O]water PET was performed to obtain resting myocardial blood flow (MBF) and coronary vasodilator reserve (CVR). Changes in LV mass (LVM) and volumes were assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVVo₂) was evaluated by [¹¹C]acetate PET in a subset of seven patients to calculate myocardial external efficiency (MEE). After ASA, peak LVOTG decreased from 41 ± 32 to 23 ± 19 mmHg (P = 0.04), as well as LVM (215 ± 74 to 169 ± 63 g; P < 0.001). MBF remained unchanged (0.94 ± 0.23 to 0.98 ± 0.15 ml·min⁻¹·g⁻¹; P = 0.45), whereas CVR increased (2.55 ± 1.23 to 3.05 ± 1.24; P = 0.05). Preoperatively, the endo-to-epicardial MBF ratio was lower during hyperemia compared with rest (0.80 ± 0.18 vs. 1.18 ± 0.15; P < 0.001). After ASA, the endo-to-epicardial hyperemic (h)MBF ratio increased to 1.03 ± 0.26 (P = 0.02). ΔCVR was correlated to ΔLVOTG (r = −0.82; P < 0.001) and ΔLVM (r = −0.54; P = 0.04). MEE increased from 15 ± 6 to 20 ± 9% (P = 0.04). Coronary microvascular dysfunction in obstructive HCM is at least in part reversible by relief of LVOT obstruction. After ASA, hMBF and CVR increased predominantly in the subendocardium. The improvement in CVR was closely correlated to the absolute reduction in peak LVOTG, suggesting a pronounced effect of LV loading conditions on microvascular function of the subendocardium. Furthermore, ASA has favorable effects on myocardial energetics.

Background:

Myocardial washout kinetics of carbon-11 labelled acetate ([¹¹C]acetate) by positron emission tomography (PET) closely correlate with myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO₂). Analysis of the tissue time activity curve by conventional monoexponential curve fitting, however, does not account for spillover effects and recirculating ¹¹C activity. In theory, a compartment model considering variations of the arterial input function and metabolic ¹¹C contamination, could improve consistency of MVO₂ estimations. The objective of the study was to investigate this hypothesis.

Methods:

Nineteen healthy volunteers were studied under resting conditions with [¹¹C]acetate PET. Time activity curves were analysed by automated monoexponential curve fitting and a single-tissue compartment model to obtain K_mono and k₂, as noninvasive indices of MVO₂. Subsequently, K_mono and k₂ were related to the rate-pressure product, as an indirect marker of MVO₂.

Results:

The rate-pressure product was significantly correlated to K_mono (r=0.46, P=0.047) and k₂ (r=0.75, P<0.001).

Conclusion:

The results of this study suggest that a single-tissue compartment model yields more accurate noninvasive estimates of MVO₂ by the use of [¹¹C]acetate PET in humans, in comparison with monoexponential curve fitting.

Cardiotoxicity may present as (pulmonary) hypertension, acute and chronic coronary syndromes, venous thromboembolism, cardiomyopathies/heart failure, arrhythmia, valvular heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and myocarditis. Many of these disease entities can be diagnosed by established cardiovascular diagnostic pathways. Nuclear medicine, however, has proven promising in the diagnosis of cardiomyopathies/heart failure, and peri- and myocarditis as well as arterial inflammation. This article first outlines the spectrum of cardiotoxic cancer therapies and the potential side effects. This will be complemented by the definition of cardiotoxicity using non-nuclear cardiovascular imaging (echocardiography, CMR) and biomarkers. Available nuclear imaging techniques are then presented and specific suggestions are made for their application and potential role in the diagnosis of cardiotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Perfusion strategies during aortic surgery usually comprise hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA), often combined with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (SACP) or retrograde cerebral perfusion. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a fundamental parameter for which the optimal level has not been clearly defined. We sought to determine the CBF at a pump flow level of 6 mL/kg/min, previously shown likely to provide adequate SACP at 20°C in pigs.

METHODS: Repeated positron emission tomography (PET) scans were used to quantify the CBF and glucose metabolism throughout HCA and SACP including cooling and rewarming. Eight pigs on cardiopulmonary bypass were assigned to either HCA alone (n = 4) or HCA+SACP (n = 4). The CBF was measured by repeated [(15)O]water PET scans from baseline to rewarming. The cerebral glucose metabolism was examined by [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET scans after rewarming to 37°C.

RESULTS: Cooling to 20°C decreased the cortical CBF from 0.31 ± 0.06 at baseline to 0.10 ± 0.02 mL/cm(3)/min (p = 0.008). The CBF was maintained stable by SACP of 6 mL/kg/min during 45 minutes. After rewarming to 37°C, the mean CBF increased to 0.24 ± 0.07 mL/cm(3)/min, without significant differences between the groups at any time-point exclusive of the HCA period. The net cortical uptake (Ki) of [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose after rewarming showed no significant difference between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Cooling autoregulated the CBF to 0.10 mL/cm(3)/min, and 45 minutes of SACP at 6 mL/kg/min maintained the CBF in the present model. Cerebral glucose metabolism after rewarming was similar in the study groups.

Decreased blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein (Pgp) function has been shown in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients using positron emission tomography (PET) with the radiotracer (R)-[C-11] verapamil. Decreased Pgp function has also been hypothesized to promote cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) development. Here, we used PET and (R)-[C-11] verapamil to assess Pgp function in eighteen AD patients, of which six had microbleeds (MBs), presumably reflecting underlying CAA. No differences were found in binding potential and nonspecific volume of distribution of (R)-[C-11] verapamil between patient groups. These results provide no evidence for additional Pgp dysfunction in AD patients with MBs.

A major pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease is accumulation of amyloid-beta in senile plaques in the brain. Evidence is accumulating that decreased clearance of amyloid-beta from the brain may lead to these elevated amyloid-beta levels. One of the clearance pathways of amyloid-beta is transport across the blood-brain barrier via efflux transporters. P-glycoprotein, an efflux pump highly expressed at the endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier, has been shown to transport amyloid-beta. P-glycoprotein function can be assessed in vivo using (R)-[C-11]verapamil and positron emission tomography. The aim of this study was to assess blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein function in patients with Alzheimer's disease compared with age-matched healthy controls using (R)-[C-11]verapamil and positron emission tomography. In 13 patients with Alzheimer's disease (age 65 +/- 7 years, Mini-Mental State Examination 23 +/- 3), global (R)-[C-11]verapamil binding potential values were increased significantly (P = 0.001) compared with 14 healthy controls (aged 62 +/- 4 years, Mini-Mental State Examination 30 +/- 1). Global (R)-[C-11]verapamil binding potential values were 2.18 +/- 0.25 for patients with Alzheimer's disease and 1.77 +/- 0.41 for healthy controls. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, higher (R)-[C-11]verapamil binding potential values were found for frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital cortices, and posterior and anterior cingulate. No significant differences between groups were found for medial temporal lobe and cerebellum. These data show altered kinetics of (R)-[C-11]verapamil in Alzheimer's disease, similar to alterations seen in studies where P-glycoprotein is blocked by a pharmacological agent. As such, these data indicate that P-glycoprotein function is decreased in patients with Alzheimer's disease. This is the first direct evidence that the P-glycoprotein transporter at the blood-brain barrier is compromised in sporadic Alzheimer's disease and suggests that decreased P-glycoprotein function may be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Purpose

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is an efflux transporter involved in transport of several compounds across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Loss of Pgp function with increasing age may be involved in the development of age-related disorders, but this may differ between males and females. Pgp function can be quantified in vivo using (R)-[¹¹C]verapamil and positron emission tomography. The purpose of this study was to assess global and regional effects of both age and gender on BBB Pgp function.

Procedures

Thirty-five healthy men and women in three different age groups were included. Sixty minutes dynamic (R)-[¹¹C]verapamil scans with metabolite-corrected arterial plasma input curves were acquired. Grey matter time–activity curves were fitted to a validated constrained two-tissue compartment plasma input model, providing the volume of distribution (V _T) of (R)-[¹¹C]verapamil as outcome measure.

Results

Increased V _T of (R)-[¹¹C]verapamil with aging was found in several large brain regions in men. Young and elderly women showed comparable V _T values. Young women had higher V _T compared with young men.

Conclusions

Decreased BBB Pgp is found with aging; however, effects of age on BBB Pgp function differ between men and women.

Background

P-glycoprotein [Pgp] dysfunction may be involved in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, and in drug resistant epilepsy. Positron emission tomography using the Pgp substrate tracer (R)-[¹¹C]verapamil enables in vivo quantification of Pgp function at the human blood-brain barrier. Knowledge of test-retest variability is important for assessing changes over time or after treatment with disease-modifying drugs. The purpose of this study was to assess reproducibility of several tracer kinetic models used for analysis of (R)-[¹¹C]verapamil data.

Methods

Dynamic (R)-[¹¹C]verapamil scans with arterial sampling were performed twice on the same day in 13 healthy controls. Data were reconstructed using both filtered back projection [FBP] and partial volume corrected ordered subset expectation maximization [PVC OSEM]. All data were analysed using single-tissue and two-tissue compartment models. Global and regional test-retest variability was determined for various outcome measures.

Results

Analysis using the Akaike information criterion showed that a constrained two-tissue compartment model provided the best fits to the data. Global test-retest variability of the volume of distribution was comparable for single-tissue (6%) and constrained two-tissue (9%) compartment models. Using a single-tissue compartment model covering the first 10 min of data yielded acceptable global test-retest variability (9%) for the outcome measure K₁. Test-retest variability of binding potential derived from the constrained two-tissue compartment model was less robust, but still acceptable (22%). Test-retest variability was comparable for PVC OSEM and FBP reconstructed data.

Conclusion

The model of choice for analysing (R)-[¹¹C]verapamil data is a constrained two-tissue compartment model.

BACKGROUND: P-glycoprotein is a blood-brain barrier efflux transporter involved in the clearance of amyloid-beta from the brain and, as such, might be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. P-glycoprotein is encoded by the highly polymorphic ABCB1 gene. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the ABCB1 gene have been associated with altered P-glycoprotein expression and function. P-glycoprotein function at the blood-brain barrier can be quantified in vivo using the P-glycoprotein substrate tracer (R)-[11C]verapamil and positron emission tomography (PET). The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of C1236T, G2677T/A and C3435T single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ABCB1 on blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein function in healthy subjects and patients with Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS: Thirty-two healthy subjects and seventeen patients with Alzheimer's disease underwent 60-min dynamic (R)-[11C]verapamil PET scans. The binding potential of (R)-[11C]verapamil was assessed using a previously validated constrained two-tissue plasma input compartment model and used as outcome measure. DNA was isolated from frozen blood samples and C1236T, G2677T/A and C3435T single-nucleotide polymorphisms were amplified by polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: In healthy controls, binding potential did not differ between subjects without and with one or more T present in C1236T, G2677T and C3435T. In contrast, patients with Alzheimer's disease with one or more T in C1236T, G2677T and C3435T had significantly higher binding potential values than patients without a T. In addition, there was a relationship between binding potential and T dose in C1236T and G2677T.

CONCLUSIONS: In Alzheimer's disease patients, C1236T, G2677T/A and C3435T single-nucleotide polymorphisms may be related to changes in P-glycoprotein function at the blood-brain barrier. As such, genetic variations in ABCB1 might contribute to the progression of amyloid-beta deposition in the brain.

Quantification of tumor perfusion using radioactive water (H₂¹⁵O) and PET is a promising method for monitoring treatment with antiangiogenic agents. However, use of dynamic H₂¹⁵O scans together with a fully 3-dimensional clinical PET/CT scanner needs to be validated. The purpose of the present study was to assess validity and reproducibility of dynamic H₂¹⁵O PET/CT scans for measuring tumor perfusion and validate the quantitative accuracy of parametric perfusion images.

Methods:

Eleven patients with non–small cell lung cancer were included in this study. Patients underwent 2 dynamic H₂¹⁵O (370 MBq) PET scans on the same day. During the first scan, arterial blood was withdrawn continuously. Input functions were derived from blood sampler data and the ascending aorta as seen in the images themselves (image-derived input function [IDIF]). Parametric perfusion images were computed using a basis function implementation of the standard single-tissue-compartment model. Volumes of interest (VOIs) were delineated on low-dose CT (LD-CT) and parametric perfusion images.

Results:

VOIs could be accurately delineated on both LD-CT and parametric perfusion images. These parametric perfusion images had excellent image quality and quantitative accuracy when compared with perfusion values determined by nonlinear regression. Good correlation between perfusion values derived from the blood sampler input function and IDIF was found (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.964; P < 0.001). Test–retest variability of tumor perfusion was 16% and 20% when delineated on LD-CT and parametric perfusion images, respectively.

Conclusion:

The use of ascending aorta IDIFs is an accurate alternative to arterial blood sampling for quantification of tumor perfusion. Image quality obtained with a clinical PET/CT scanner enables generation of accurate parametric perfusion images. VOIs delineated on LD-CT have the highest reproducibility, and changes of more than 16% in tumor perfusion are likely to represent treatment effects.

Current strategies combining anti-angiogenic drugs with chemotherapy provide clinical benefit in cancer patients. It is assumed that anti-angiogenic drugs, such as bevacizumab, transiently normalize abnormal tumor vasculature and contribute to improved delivery of subsequent chemotherapy. To investigate this concept, a study was performed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using positron emission tomography (PET) and radiolabeled docetaxel ([¹¹C]docetaxel). In NSCLC, bevacizumab reduced both perfusion and net influx rate of [¹¹C]docetaxel within 5 hr. These effects persisted after 4 days. The clinical relevance of these findings is notable, as there was no evidence for a substantial improvement in drug delivery to tumors. These findings highlight the importance of drug scheduling and advocate further studies to optimize scheduling of anti-angiogenic drugs.

Purpose:

Tumor resistance to docetaxel may be associated with reduced drug concentrations in tumor tissue. Positron emission tomography (PET) allows for quantification of radiolabeled docetaxel ([¹¹C]docetaxel) kinetics and might be useful for predicting response to therapy. The primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility of quantitative [¹¹C]docetaxel PET scans in lung cancer patients. The secondary objective was to investigate whether [¹¹C]docetaxel kinetics were associated with tumor perfusion, tumor size, and dexamethasone administration.

Experimental Design:

Thirty-four lung cancer patients underwent dynamic PET–computed tomography (CT) scans using [¹¹C]docetaxel. Blood flow was measured using oxygen-15 labeled water. The first 24 patients were premedicated with dexamethasone. For quantification of [¹¹C]docetaxel kinetics, the optimal tracer kinetic model was developed and a noninvasive procedure was validated.

Results:

Reproducible quantification of [¹¹C]docetaxel kinetics in tumors was possible using a noninvasive approach (image derived input function). Thirty-two lesions (size ≥4 cm³) were identified, having a variable net influx rate of [¹¹C]docetaxel (range, 0.0023–0.0229 mL·cm⁻³·min⁻¹). [¹¹C]docetaxel uptake was highly related to tumor perfusion (Spearman's ρ = 0.815;P < 0.001), but not to tumor size (Spearman's ρ = −0.140; P = 0.446). Patients pretreated with dexamethasone showed lower [¹¹C]docetaxel uptake in tumors (P = 0.013). Finally, in a subgroup of patients who subsequently received docetaxel therapy, relative high [¹¹C]docetaxel uptake was related with improved tumor response.

Conclusions:

Quantification of [¹¹C]docetaxel kinetics in lung cancer was feasible in a clinical setting. Variable [¹¹C]docetaxel kinetics in tumors may reflect differential sensitivity to docetaxel therapy. Our findings warrant further studies investigating the predictive value of [¹¹C]docetaxel uptake and the effects of comedication on [¹¹C]docetaxel kinetics in tumors.

Purpose:

Pharmacokinetics of docetaxel can be measured in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET) and a microdose of radiolabeled docetaxel ([¹¹C]docetaxel). The objective of this study was to investigate whether a [¹¹C]docetaxel PET microdosing study could predict tumor uptake of therapeutic doses of docetaxel.

Experimental Design:

Docetaxel-naïve lung cancer patients underwent 2 [¹¹C]docetaxel PET scans; one after bolus injection of [¹¹C]docetaxel and another during combined infusion of [¹¹C]docetaxel and a therapeutic dose of docetaxel (75 mg·m⁻²). Compartmental and spectral analyses were used to quantify [¹¹C]docetaxel tumor kinetics. [¹¹C]docetaxel PET measurements were used to estimate the area under the curve (AUC) of docetaxel in tumors. Tumor response was evaluated using computed tomography scans.

Results:

Net rates of influx (K_i) of [¹¹C]docetaxel in tumors were comparable during microdosing and therapeutic scans. [¹¹C]docetaxel AUC_Tumor during the therapeutic scan could be predicted reliably using an impulse response function derived from the microdosing scan together with the plasma curve of [¹¹C]docetaxel during the therapeutic scan. At 90 minutes, the accumulated amount of docetaxel in tumors was less than 1% of the total infused dose of docetaxel. [¹¹C]docetaxel K_i derived from the microdosing scan correlated with AUC_Tumor of docetaxel (Spearman ρ = 0.715; P = 0.004) during the therapeutic scan and with tumor response to docetaxel therapy (Spearman ρ = −0.800; P = 0.010).

Conclusions:

Microdosing data of [¹¹C]docetaxel PET can be used to predict tumor uptake of docetaxel during chemotherapy. The present study provides a framework for investigating the PET microdosing concept for radiolabeled anticancer drugs in patients.

In recent years, there have been multiple advances in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) that improve cancer imaging. The present generation of PET/CT scanners introduces new hardware, software, and acquisition methods. This review describes these new developments, which include time-of-flight (TOF), point-spread-function (PSF), maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) based reconstruction, smaller voxels, respiratory gating, metal artefact reduction, and administration of quadratic weight-dependent (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) activity. Also, hardware developments such as continuous bed motion (CBM), (digital) solid-state photodetectors and combined PET and magnetic resonance (MR) systems are explained. These novel techniques have a significant impact on cancer imaging, as they result in better image quality, improved small lesion detectability, and more accurate quantification of radiopharmaceutical uptake. This influences cancer diagnosis and staging, as well as therapy response monitoring and radiotherapy planning. Finally, the possible impact of these developments on the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) guidelines and EANM Research Ltd. (EARL) accreditation for FDG-PET/CT tumor imaging is discussed.

Primary Objective

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and sports-related concussion (SRC) may result in chronic functional and neuroanatomical changes. We tested the hypothesis that neuroimaging findings (cerebral blood flow (CBF), cortical thickness, and 1H-magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy (MRS)) were associated to cognitive function, TBI severity, and sex.

Research Design

Eleven controls, 12 athletes symptomatic following ≥3SRCs and 6 patients with moderate-severe TBI underwent MR scanning for evaluation of cortical thickness, brain metabolites (MRS), and CBF using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (ASL). Cognitive screening was performed using the RBANS cognitive test battery.

Main Outcomes and Results

RBANS-index was impaired in both injury groups and correlated with the injury severity, although not with any neuroimaging parameter. Cortical thickness correlated with injury severity (p = 0.02), while neuronal density, using the MRS marker ((NAA+NAAG)/Cr, did not. On multivariate analysis, injury severity (p = 0.0003) and sex (p = 0.002) were associated with CBF. Patients with TBI had decreased gray (p = 0.02) and white matter (p = 0.02) CBF compared to controls. CBF was significantly lower in total gray, white matter and in 16 of the 20 gray matter brain regions in female but not male athletes when compared to female and male controls, respectively.

Conclusions

Injury severity correlated with CBF, cognitive function, and cortical thickness. CBF also correlated with sex and was reduced in female, not male, athletes. Chronic CBF changes may contribute to the persistent injury mechanisms in TBI and rSRC.

[(68)Ga]-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Exendin-4 has been shown to be a promising imaging candidate for targeting glucagon like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R). In the light of radiotheranostics and personalized medicine the (177)Lu-labelled analogue is of paramount interest. In this study we have investigated the organ distribution of [(177)Lu]-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Exendin-4 in rat and calculated human dosimetry parameters in order to estimate the maximal acceptable administered radioactivity, and thus potential applicability of [(177)Lu]-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Exendin-4 for internal radiotherapy of insulinomas. Nine male and nine female Lewis rats were injected with [(177)Lu]-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Exendin-4 for ex vivo organ distribution study at nine time points. The estimation of human organ/total body absorbed and total effective doses was performed using Organ Level Internal Dose Assessment Code software (OLINDA/EXM 1.1). Six more rats (male: n = 3; female: n = 3) were scanned by single photon emission tomography and computed tomography (SPECT-CT). The renal function and potential cell dysfunction were monitored by creatinine ISTAT and glucose levels. The fine uptake structure of kidney and pancreas was investigated by ex vivo autoradiography. Blood clearance and washout from most of the organs was fast. The kidney was the dose-limiting organ with absorbed dose of 5.88 and 6.04 mGy/MBq, respectively for female and male. Pancreatic beta cells demonstrated radioactivity accumulation. Renal function and beta cell function remained unaffected by radiation. The absorbed dose of [(177)Lu]-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Exendin-4 to kidneys may limit the clinical application of the agent. However, hypothetically, kidney protection and peptidase inhibition may allow reduction of kidney absorbed dose and amplification of tumour absorbed doses.

UNLABELLED: Quantitative imaging and dosimetry are crucial for individualized treatment during peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). (177)Lu-DOTATATE and (68)Ga-DOTATOC/(68)Ga-DOTATATE are used, respectively, for PRRT and PET examinations targeting somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) in patients affected by neuroendocrine tumors. The aim of the study was to quantitatively and qualitatively compare the performance of (68)Ga-DOTATOC and (68)Ga-DOTATATE in the context of subsequent PRRT with (177)Lu-DOTATATE under standardized conditions in the same patient as well as to investigate the sufficiency of standardized uptake value (SUV) for estimation of SSTR expression.

METHODS: Ten patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors underwent one 45-min dynamic and 3 whole-body PET/CT examinations at 1, 2, and 3 h after injection with both tracers. The number of detected lesions, SUVs in lesions and normal tissue, total functional tumor volume, and SSTR volume (functional tumor volume multiplied by mean SUV) were investigated for each time point. Net uptake rate (Ki) was calculated according to the Patlak method for 3 tumors per patient.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in lesion count, lesion SUV, Ki, functional tumor volume, or SSTR volume between (68)Ga-DOTATOC and (68)Ga-DOTATATE at any time point. The detection rate was similar, although with differences for single lesions in occasional patients. For healthy organs, marginally higher uptake of (68)Ga-DOTATATE was observed in kidneys, bone marrow, and liver at 1 h. (68)Ga-DOTATOC uptake was higher in mediastinal blood pool at the 1-h time point (P = 0.018). The tumor-to-liver ratio was marginally higher for (68)Ga-DOTATOC at the 3-h time point (P = 0.037). Blood clearance was fast and similar for both tracers. SUV did not correlate with Ki linearly and achieved saturation for a Ki of greater than 0.2 mL/cm(3)/min, corresponding to an SUV of more than 25.

CONCLUSION: (68)Ga-DOTATOC and (68)Ga-DOTATATE are suited equally well for staging and patient selection for PRRT with (177)Lu-DOTATATE. However, the slight difference in the healthy organ distribution and excretion may render (68)Ga-DOTATATE preferable. SUV did not correlate linearly with Ki and thus may not reflect the SSTR density accurately at its higher values, whereas Ki might be the outcome measure of choice for quantification of SSTR density and assessment of treatment outcome.