CD19-targeting CAR T-cell therapy in patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis: a case series.

Background: CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has shown remarkable outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The effects of CD19-targeting CAR T cells on organ manifestations in patients with systemic sclerosis have yet to be characterised. B cells have a central role in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis.

Evaluation of fibroblast activation protein-specific PET/CT in a patient with post-COVID pneumonitis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often leads to a spectrum of pulmonary complications, including interstitial lung disease (ILD) with the potential for fibrotic sequelae. Assessing the presence of ongoing active inflammation versus established residual fibrosis as a result of lung parenchymal injury and repair in these patients is a clinical challenge. Better understanding of the disease process is crucial for guiding appropriate therapeutic strategies.

Anatomical pattern of entheseal and synovial fibroblast activation in patients with psoriasis and its risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.

Objectives: To assess the presence and anatomical distribution of activated fibroblasts in the joints and entheses of patients with psoriasis with arthralgia and to test how fibroblast activation visualised by gallium-labelled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor-04 (Ga-FAPI-04)-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT correlates with clinical tenderness, musculoskeletal ultrasound findings and progression to psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in patients with psoriasis and arthralgia who underwent clinical and ultrasound evaluation and whole-body PET/CT imaging with Ga-FAPI-04. Ga-FAPI-04 uptake at synovial and entheseal sites was assessed by maximal standardised uptake values (SUVmax) and PET/CT Joint Index (JI); logistic regression models were used to investigate its correlation with clinical and ultrasound findings.

CD200 fibroblasts form a pro-resolving mesenchymal network in arthritis.

Fibroblasts are important regulators of inflammation, but whether fibroblasts change phenotype during resolution of inflammation is not clear. Here we use positron emission tomography to detect fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as a means to visualize fibroblast activation in vivo during inflammation in humans. While tracer accumulation is high in active arthritis, it decreases after tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-17A inhibition.

Ultrasound characteristics of follicular and parafollicular thyroid neoplasms: diagnostic performance of artificial neural network.

Background: Ultrasound is the first-line imaging modality for detection and classification of thyroid nodules. Certain features observable by ultrasound have recently been equated with potential malignancy. This retrospective cohort study was conducted to test the hypothesis that radiomics of the four categorical divisions (medullary [MTC], papillary [PTC], or follicular [FTC] carcinoma and follicular thyroid adenoma [FTA]) demonstrate distinctive sonographic characteristics.

[Individualized precision medicine].

Spectacular advances have been made in personalized medicine , which has rapidly revolutionized our traditional understanding of disease diagnosis and treatment. Molecular testing of tissue and liquid samples using next generation sequencing has developed into a key technology in this scenario. It can be used for both the determination of biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic and predictive purposes, as well as the possible improvement of treatment outcome through the use of targeted therapies and the avoidance of therapies in the event of special resistance situations.

Adverse events unlikely after fine-needle aspiration biopsies of thyroid nodules in patients on low-dose aspirin: a prospective controlled systematic single center analysis.

Aim: Our aim was to test the assertion that in terms of rate or severity level, adverse events (AEs) after fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) of thyroid nodules are unfazed by daily low-dose (100 mg) aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) intake.

Methods: We selected 268 patients for study, grouped as ASA-treated (P, n=78) or control (P, n=190) subjects. Controls received no antithrombotic medication.

Assessment of myocardial fibrosis in patients with systemic sclerosis using [Ga]Ga-FAPI-04-PET-CT.

Purpose: Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a factor of poor prognosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Direct in-vivo visualization of fibroblast activation as early readout of MF has not been feasible to date. Here, we characterize Gallium-labeled-Fibroblast-Activation-Inhibitor-04 ([Ga]Ga-FAPI-04)-PET-CT as a diagnostic tool in SSc-related MF.

Differences and Similarities in the Pattern of Early Metabolic and Morphologic Response after Induction Chemo-Immunotherapy versus Induction Chemotherapy Alone in Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer.

Background: In head and neck cancer patients, parameters of metabolic and morphologic response of the tumor to single-cycle induction chemotherapy (IC) with docetaxel, cis- or carboplatin are used to decide the further course of treatment. This study investigated the effect of adding a double immune checkpoint blockade (DICB) of tremelimumab and durvalumab to IC on imaging parameters and their significance with regard to tumor cell remission. Methods: Response variables of 53 patients treated with IC+DICB (ICIT) were compared with those of 104 who received IC alone.

Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor Imaging in Nonmalignant Diseases: A New Perspective for Molecular Imaging.

Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α) is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that is overexpressed in activated fibroblasts such as those in the stroma of tumors or in the fibrotic processes accompanying various benign diseases. The recent development and clinical implementation of radiolabeled quinolone-based tracers suitable for PET that act as FAP inhibitors (FAPIs) have opened a new perspective in molecular imaging. Although multiple studies have investigated the use of FAPI imaging in cancer, evidence concerning its use in nonmalignant diseases is still scarce.

Influence of CT metal artifact reduction on SPECT/CT quantification of bone scintigraphy - Retrospective study for selected types of metal implants.

Aim: Implanted metal prostheses can cause severe artifacts in reconstructed computed tomography (CT) images. To reduce the diagnostic impact of these artifacts and improve attenuation correction in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), an algorithm of iterative metal artifact reduction (iMAR) for SPECT/CT systems was developed. The aims of this study were (a) to assess the difference in visual image quality by comparing CT and SPECT images reconstructed with and without iMAR and (b) to determine the influence of iMAR on quantitative Tc-uptake in SPECT/CT.

Standardized 18F-FDG PET/CT radiomic features provide information on PD-L1 expression status in treatment-naïve patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: To study the relationship between standardized 18F-FDG PET/CT radiomic features and clinicopathological variables and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression status in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods: 58 NSCLC patients with preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT scans and postoperative results of PD-L1 expression were retrospectively analysed. A standardized, open-source software was used to extract 86 radiomic features from PET and low-dose CT images.

F18-FDG PET/CT imaging early predicts pathologic complete response to induction chemoimmunotherapy of locally advanced head and neck cancer: preliminary single-center analysis of the checkrad-cd8 trial.

Aim: In the CheckRad-CD8 trial patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer are treated with a single cycle of induction chemo-immunotherapy (ICIT). Patients with pathological complete response (pCR) in the re-biopsy enter radioimmunotherapy. Our goal was to study the value of F-18-FDG PET/CT in the prediction of pCR after induction therapy.

Cyclotrons Operated for Nuclear Medicine and Radiopharmacy in the German Speaking D-A-CH Countries: An Update on Current Status and Trends.

Background: Cyclotrons form a central infrastructure and are a resource of medical radionuclides for the development of new radiotracers as well as the production and supply of clinically established radiopharmaceuticals for patient care in nuclear medicine.

Aim: To provide an updated overview of the number and characteristics of cyclotrons that are currently in use within radiopharmaceutical sciences and for the development of radiopharmaceuticals to be used for patient care in Nuclear Medicine in Germany (D), Austria (A) and Switzerland (CH).

Methods: Publicly available information on the cyclotron infrastructure was (i) consolidated and updated, (ii) supplemented by selective desktop research and, last but not least, (iii) validated by members of the committee of the academic "Working Group Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacy" (AGRR), consisting of radiochemists and radiopharmacists of the D-A-CH countries and belonging to the German Society of Nuclear Medicine (DGN), as well as the Radiopharmaceuticals Committee of the DGN.

The magnitude of the partial volume effect in SPECT imaging of the kidneys: a phantom study.

Background: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can cause an over- or underestimation of tissue activity concentration due to limitations in spatial resolution compared to the structures under study. This is commonly referred to as partial volume effect (PVE). Ideally, the PVE should be controlled for and corrected.

The EANM guideline for radiosynoviorthesis.

Purpose: Radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) using the intraarticular application of beta-particle emitting radiocolloids has for decades been used for the local treatment of inflammatory joint diseases. The injected radiopharmaceuticals are phagocytized by the superficial macrophages of the synovial membrane, resulting in sclerosis and fibrosis of the formerly inflamed tissue, finally leading to reduced joint effusion and alleviation of joint pain.

Methods: The European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) has written and approved these guidelines in tight collaboration with an international team of clinical experts, including rheumatologists.