Analysis of capecitabine metabolites in conjunction with digital autoradiography in a murine model of pancreatic cancer suggests extensive drug penetration through the tumor.

Previously published digital autoradiography of H-labeled capecitabine reveals a near-uniform distribution of activity throughout a murine pancreatic model. This is in contrast both to C-labeled gemcitabine, and established expectations, as the dense stroma of pancreatic cancer is understood to inhibit drug penetration. Capecitabine is a pro-drug for 5 FU.

Optimizing reconstruction parameters for quantitative I-PET in the presence of therapeutic doses of I.

Background: The goal of this work was to determine the quantitative accuracy and optimal reconstruction parameters for I-PET imaging in the presence of therapeutic levels of I. In this effort, images were acquired on a GE D710 PET/CT scanner using a NEMA IEC phantom with spheres containing I and increasing amounts of I activity in the background. At each activity level, two scans were acquired, one with the phantom centered in the field of view (FOV) and one 11.

Comparing the intra-tumoral distribution of Gemcitabine, 5-Fluorouracil, and Capecitabine in a murine model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: To develop a technique to compare the intra-tumoral distribution of the drug gemcitabine, its surrogate [18F]-fluoroarabinocytosine ([18F]-FAC) and related chemotherapeutics 5-FU and capecitabine in a pre-clinical model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Experimental Design: Using a KPC-organoid derived model of PDAC, we obtained autoradiographic images of the tumor distribution of, [14C]-gemcitabine, [14C]-5-FU, [3H]-capecitabine. These were compared indirectly by co-administering [18F]-FAC, a close analog of gemcitabine with a proven equivalent intra-tumor distribution.

F-fluoromisonidazole predicts evofosfamide uptake in pancreatic tumor model.

Background: Quantitative imaging can facilitate patient stratification in clinical trials. The hypoxia-activated prodrug evofosfamide recently failed a phase III trial in pancreatic cancer. However, the study did not attempt to select for patients with hypoxic tumors.

Technical Note: Scintillation well counters and particle counting digital autoradiography devices can be used to detect activities associated with genomic profiling adequacy of biopsy specimens obtained after a low activity F-FDG injection.

Purpose: Genomic profiling of biopsied tissue is the basis for precision cancer therapy. However, biopsied materials may not contain sufficient amounts of tumor deoxyribonucleonic acid needed for the analysis. We propose a method to determine the adequacy of specimens for performing genomic profiling by quantifying their metabolic activity.

Evaluation of the tumor registration error in biopsy procedures performed under real-time PET/CT guidance.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to quantify tumor displacement during real-time PET/CT guided biopsy and to investigate correlations between tumor displacement and false-negative results.

Methods: 19 patients who underwent real-time F-FDG PET-guided biopsy and were found positive for malignancy were included in this study under IRB approval. PET/CT images were acquired for all patients within minutes prior to biopsy to visualize the FDG-avid region and plan the needle insertion.

Ga-68 DOTATOC PET/CT-Guided Biopsy and Cryoablation with Autoradiography of Biopsy Specimen for Treatment of Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by small benign tumors of mesenchymal origin also known as phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors mixed connective tissue variant. Excellent prognosis is expected with eradication of the culprit tumor. These small tumors are notoriously difficult to localize with conventional imaging studies; this often leads to an extensive work up and prolonged morbidity.

Feasibility of in situ, high-resolution correlation of tracer uptake with histopathology by quantitative autoradiography of biopsy specimens obtained under 18F-FDG PET/CT guidance.

Unlabelled: Core biopsies obtained using PET/CT guidance contain bound radiotracer and therefore provide information about tracer uptake in situ. Our goal was to develop a method for quantitative autoradiography of biopsy specimens (QABS), to use this method to correlate (18)F-FDG tracer uptake in situ with histopathology findings, and to briefly discuss its potential application.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients referred for a PET/CT-guided biopsy of (18)F-FDG-avid primary or metastatic lesions in different locations consented to participate in this institutional review board-approved study, which complied with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.