Dose-Volume Histogram Parameters and Quality of Life in Patients with Prostate Cancer Treated with Surgery and High-Dose Volumetric-Intensity-Modulated Arc Therapy to the Prostate Bed.

Introduction: Prostate bed radiotherapy (RT) is a major affecter of patients' long-term quality of life (QoL). To ensure the best possible outcome of these patients, dose constraints are key for optimal RT planning and delivery. However, establishing refined dose constraints requires access to patient-level data.

Predictive Value of Total Metabolic Tumor Burden Prior to Treatment in NSCLC Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the predictive value of the total metabolic tumor burden prior to treatment in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods: Pre-treatment 2-deoxy-2-[F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans performed in two consecutive years for staging in adult patients with confirmed NSCLC were considered. Volume, maximum/mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax/SUVmean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were assessed per delineated malignant lesion (including primary tumor, regional lymph nodes and distant metastases) in addition to the morphology of the primary tumor and clinical data.

Additional Primary Tumors Detected Incidentally on FDG PET/CT at Staging in Patients with First Diagnosis of NSCLC: Frequency, Impact on Patient Management and Survival.

We aimed to assess the frequency of additional primary malignancies detected incidentally on [F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) at staging in NSCLC patients. Moreover, their impact on patient management and survival was assessed. Consecutive NSCLC patients with available staging FDG-PET/CT between 2020 and 2021 were retrospectively enrolled.

Hypermetabolic Ipsilateral Supraclavicular and Axillary Lymphadenopathy: Optimal Time Point for Performing an F-FDG PET/CT after COVID-19 Vaccination.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV2) vaccine-related hypermetabolic lymphadenopathy (HLA) and evaluate which time point produces the least number of false-positive findings in an 18F-2-Fluor-2-desoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). Methods: For this retrospective, multi-center imaging study, patients with any form of SARS-CoV2 vaccination prior to an 18F-FDG-PET/CT were included between January 2021 and December 2021. Patients were divided into six groups according to the time point of vaccination prior to their 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging, e.

Predictive Value of Baseline FDG-PET/CT for the Durable Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in NSCLC Patients Using the Morphological and Metabolic Features of Primary Tumors.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the predictive value of baseline 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for durable responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by linking the morphological and metabolic features of primary tumors (PTs) in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods: For the purpose of this single-center study, the imaging data of the patients with a first diagnosis of NSCLC and an available baseline FDG-PET/CT between 2020 and 2021 were retrospectively assessed. The baseline characteristics were collected based on clinical reports and interdisciplinary tumor board documentation.

Sex-Related Differences in Metastatic Melanoma Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate sex-related differences in patients with advanced melanoma treated with ICI by linking the assessment of inflammatory response in peripheral blood, onset of immune-related adverse events IRAEs during therapy and treatment response in short- and long-term. Methods: For the purpose of this single-center retrospective study metastatic melanoma patients treated with ICI were included. Baseline patient characteristics, blood sample tests and the onset of immune-related adverse events IRAEs were documented based on clinical records.

Can Dynamic Whole-Body FDG PET Imaging Differentiate between Malignant and Inflammatory Lesions?

Background: Investigation of the clinical feasibility of dynamic whole-body (WB) [18F]FDG PET, including standardized uptake value (SUV), rate of irreversible uptake (Ki), and apparent distribution volume (Vd) in physiologic tissues, and comparison between inflammatory/infectious and cancer lesions. Methods: Twenty-four patients were prospectively included to undergo dynamic WB [18F]FDG PET/CT for clinically indicated re-/staging of oncological diseases. Parametric maps of Ki and Vd were generated using Patlak analysis alongside SUV images.

Inflammatory Blood Parameters as Biomarkers for Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Metastatic Melanoma Patients.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate whether inflammatory parameters in peripheral blood at baseline and during the first six months of treatment could predict the short- and long-term outcomes of metastatic melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods: This single-center retrospective study considered patients with metastatic melanoma treated with either single or dual checkpoint inhibition. Blood sample tests were scheduled together with 18F-2-fluor-2-desoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scans at baseline and at three and six months after initiation of ICI treatment.

Correction: Kudura et al. Prediction of Early Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition Using FDG-PET/CT in Melanoma Patients. 2021, , 3830.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...

Real-life data for first-line combination immune-checkpoint inhibition and targeted therapy in patients with melanoma brain metastases.

Background: Melanoma brain metastases (MBM) have a poor prognosis. Systemic treatments that have improved outcomes in advanced melanoma have been shown to have an intracranial (IC) effect. We studied the efficacy and outcomes of combined immune checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab/nivolumab (Combi-ICI) or targeted therapy (Combi-TT) as first-line treatment in MBM.

Prediction of Early Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition Using FDG-PET/CT in Melanoma Patients.

We aimed to investigate, whether F2-fluoro-2-desoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scans performed at baseline (time point 0; TP 0) and three months after initiation of immunotherapy (time point 1; TP 1) can be used on a metastasis- and patient-level to predict the response to immune-checkpoint inhibition using FDG-PET/CT six months after treatment start (time point 2; TP 2) in metastatic melanoma patients. This single-center retrospective study considered metastatic melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibition from TP 0 to TP 2. An analysis on a metastasis- and patient-level was carried out.

Frequency, Treatment and Outcome of Immune-Related Toxicities in Patients with Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors for Advanced Melanoma: Results from an Institutional Database Analysis.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can induce immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which may result in treatment discontinuation. We sought to describe the onset, frequency, and kinetics of irAEs in melanoma patients in a real-life setting and to further investigate the prognostic role of irAEs in treatment outcomes. In this retrospective single-center cohort study, we included 249 melanoma patients.

Malignancy Rate of Indeterminate Findings on FDG-PET/CT in Cutaneous Melanoma Patients.

Background: The use of -2-Fluor-2-desoxy-D-glucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography FDG-PET/CT in clinical routine for staging, treatment response monitoring and post treatment surveillance in metastatic melanoma patients has noticeably increased due to significant improvement of the overall survival rate in melanoma patients. However, determining the dignity of the findings with increased metabolic activity on FDG-PET/CT can be sometimes challenging and may need further investigation.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the malignancy rate of indeterminate findings on FDG-PET/CT in metastatic cutaneous melanoma patients.

PET/CT helps to determine treatment duration in patients with resected as well as inoperable alveolar echinococcosis.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the role of F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) at the end of benzimidazole therapy in alveolar echinococcosis.

Methods: A total of 22 patients undergoing PET/CT at the end of benzimidazole therapy were retrospectively registered. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUV) were measured in remaining echinococcus manifestations and compared to normal liver tissue.

Improved detection of in-transit metastases of malignant melanoma with BSREM reconstruction in digital [F]FDG PET/CT.

Objectives: To compare block sequential regularized expectation maximization (BSREM) and ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) for the detection of in-transit metastasis (ITM) of malignant melanoma in digital [F]FDG PET/CT.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 100 [F]FDG PET/CT scans of melanoma patients with ITM, performed between May 2017 and January 2020. PET images were reconstructed with both OSEM and BSREM algorithms.

PET/CT in therapy control of infective native aortic aneurysms.

Infective native aortic aneurysms (INAA) are aneurysms arising from infection of the aortic wall. Treatment is demanding with 5-year survival rates between 53 and 55%. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the long-term monitoring of patients with proven INAA.

Improved oncological outcome after radical prostatectomy in patients staged with Ga-PSMA-11 PET: a single-center retrospective cohort comparison.

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has superior sensitivity over conventional imaging (CI) to stage prostate cancer (PCa) and therefore is increasingly used in staging to stratify patients before radical therapy. Whether this improved diagnostic accuracy translates into improved outcome after radical prostatectomy (RPE) has not yet been shown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the oncological outcome after RPE between patients that underwent preoperative staging with CI or PSMA-PET for intermediate and high-risk PCa.

Myocardial F-FDG Uptake Pattern for Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in Patients Undergoing Oncologic PET/CT.

Objective: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography with F-fluorodeoxy-glucose (F-FDG-PET/CT) has become the standard staging modality in various tumor entities. Cancer patients frequently receive cardio-toxic therapies. However, routine cardiovascular assessment in oncologic patients is not performed in current clinical practice.

Diagnostic Accuracy of PET/CT and Contrast Enhanced CT in Patients With Suspected Infected Aortic Aneurysms.

Objective: Infected aortic aneurysms are highly lethal, and management is very demanding, requiring an early diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography/computed tomography with F-fluorodeoxyglucose (PET/CT) and contrast enhanced CT (CE-CT) in patients with suspected infected aortic aneurysms.

Methods: PET/CT was performed in patients with clinically suspected infected aortic aneurysms, and additional CE-CT was performed if feasible.

Metal artifact reduction in Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI for prostate cancer patients with hip joint replacement using multiacquisition variable-resonance image combination.

Background: PET/MRI has a high potential in oncology imaging, especially for tumor indications where high soft tissue contrast is crucial such as genitourinary tumors. One of the challenges for PET/MRI acquisition is handling of metal implants. In addition to conventional methods, more innovative techniques have been developed to reduce artifacts caused by those implants such as the selective multiacquisition variable-image combination (MAVRIC-SL).

Radiomics, Tumor Volume, and Blood Biomarkers for Early Prediction of Pseudoprogression in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition.

Purpose: We assessed the predictive potential of positron emission tomography (PET)/CT-based radiomics, lesion volume, and routine blood markers for early differentiation of pseudoprogression from true progression at 3 months.

Experimental Design: 112 patients with metastatic melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibition were included in our study. Median follow-up duration was 22 months.