Application of F-18-sodium fluoride (NaF) dynamic PET-CT (dPET-CT) for defect healing: a comparison of biomaterials in an experimental osteoporotic rat model.

Background: The aim of the current study was to measure and compare the effect of various biomaterials for the healing of osteoporotic bone defects in the rat femur using 18F-sodium fluoride dPET-CT.

Material And Methods: Osteoporosis was induced by ovariectomy and a calcium-restricted diet. After 3 months, rats were operated on to create a 4-mm wedge-shaped defect in the distal metaphyseal femur.

Omalizumab (anti-IgE) therapy increases blood glucose levels in severe persistent allergic asthma patients with diabetes mellitus: 18 month follow-up.

Background: Therapeutic anti-IgE antibodies (Xolair, omalizumab) able to reduce free IgE levels and to block the binding of IgE to Fcepsilon RI without cross-linking IgE and triggering degranulation of IgE-sensitised cells have been developed.

Methods: We had two male patients of severe persistent allergic asthma with type-2 diabetes mellitus at the ages of 57 and 52 and who had suffered a side-effect of increased blood glucose level that caused a need for an extra insulin injection to control the hyperglycemia. Their asthma was not under control, frequent emergency department admissions lead us to use omalizumab treatment.

Preliminary evaluation of different biomaterials for defect healing in an experimental osteoporotic rat model with dynamic PET-CT (dPET-CT) using F-18-sodium fluoride (NaF).

Unlabelled: The aim of the current study was to measure and compare the effect of calcium phosphate cement (CPC) and CPC enriched with strontium (SrCPC) for the healing of osteoporotic bone defects in the rat femur using (18)F-Sodium Fluoride dPET-CT.

Methods: Osteoporosis was induced by ovariectomy and a calcium restricted diet. After three months, rats were operated to create a 4 mm defect in the distal metaphyseal femur with internal fixation.

Level of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing-ligand and CXCL8 correlated with 2-[18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake in anti-VEGF treated colon cancers.

Background: The changes and correlations of TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing-ligand) and CXCL8 (IL8) prior to treatment and three months following therapy as well as the corresponding Positron emission tomography (PET/CT) (SUV(max): standardized uptake maximum values) results were evaluated.

Material And Methods: The measurements were taken before and after treatment for comparison purposes. The study population comprised 29 patients with Metastatic Colorectal cancer (MCRC), undergoing PET/CT scanning prior to treatment.

Dynamic PET with (18)F-Deoxyglucose (FDG) and quantitative assessment with a two-tissue compartment model reflect the activity of glucose transporters and hexokinases in patients with colorectal tumors.

Dynamic PET (dPET) with (18)F-Deoxyglucose (FDG) provides quantitative information about distribution of the tracer in a predefined volume over time. A two-tissue compartment model can be used to obtain quantitative data regarding transport of FDG into and out of the cells, phosphorylation and dephosphorylation rate of intracellular FDG, and fractional blood volume in the target volume, also named vessel density. Aim of the study was the correlation of glucose transporters expression and hexokinases with the corresponding compartment parameters.

Omalizumab is effective in treating severe asthma in patients with severe cardiovascular complications and its effects on sCD200, d-dimer, CXCL8, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and IL-1β levels.

Background: There have been concerns about the cardiovascular safety of omalizumab.

Objectives: In this study, the clinical status of the omalizumab receiving severe asthma patients and the cytokine expressions patterns were investigated.

Materials And Methods: In a pilot study described below we examined the levels of serum eosinophil cationic peptid (ECP), CD200, d-dimer, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), CXCL8 and IL-1β in asthma patients treated with anti-IgE therapy, to explore their relationship with disease activity, and the impact of anti-IgE therapy impact on those levels.

A case of toxic epidermal necrolysis with diverse etiologies: successful treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and pulse prednisolone and effects on sTRAIL and sCD200 levels.

Background: Here, we report the first case of patient with intracranial tumors (ICT) who developed a cutaneous adverse drug reaction during lansoprazole and prophylactic anticonvulsant treatment. SCORTEN is a scoring system used to predict mortality in TEN patients. If SCORTEN index is 5 or more, mortality rate is more than 90%.

Effects of omalizumab on eosinophil cationic peptide, 25-hydroxyvitamin-D, IL-1β and sCD200 in cases of Samter's syndrome: 36 months follow-up.

Context: The historic triad of nasal polyposis, asthma and intolerance to aspirin and related chemicals, recently designated as Samter's syndrome, is an inflammatory condition of unknown pathogenesis. This study surveyed the levels of chosen serum eosinophil cationic peptide (ECP), soluble CD200 (SCD200), interleukin (IL)-1β, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25(OH)D) in the aspirin-induced asthmatic patients treated with anti-IgE therapy to investigate their roles in the pathogenesis of disease perpetuation and anti-IgE therapy's impact on them.

Methods: Medical history, lung function tests and measurement of fractional exhale nitric oxide concentrations were performed on the same day.

Positron emission tomography as a surrogate marker for evaluation of treatment response in patients with desmoid tumors under therapy with imatinib.

We used 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F] fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) to evaluate patients with desmoid tumors undergoing therapy with imatinib. The study included 22 patients with progressive disease (PD) of a biopsy proven desmoid tumor treated orally with imatinib 800 mg daily. Patients were examined using PET prior to onset of therapy and during treatment.

Evaluation of bone remodeling with (18)F-fluoride and correlation with the glucose metabolism measured by (18)F-FDG in lumbar spine with time in an experimental nude rat model with osteoporosis using dynamic PET-CT.

Rats with osteoporosis were involved by combining ovariectomy (OVX) either with calcium and Vitamin D deficiency diet (Group D), or with glucocorticoid (dexamethasone) treatment (Group C). In the period of 1-12 months, dynamic PET-CT studies were performed in three groups of rats including Group D, Group C and the control Group K (sham-operated). Standardized uptake values (SUVs) were calculated, and a 2-tissue compartmental learning-machine model (calculation of K1-k4, VB and the plasma clearance of tracer to bone mineral (Ki) as well as a non-compartmental model based on the fractal dimension (FD) was used for quantitative analysis of both groups.

Cilengitide affects tumor compartment, vascularization and microenvironment in experimental bone metastases as shown by longitudinal ¹⁸F-FDG PET and gene expression analysis.

Purpose: Aim of this study was to investigate the specific treatment effects of inhibiting αvβ3/αvβ5 integrins by cilengitide in an animal model of breast cancer bone metastases using dynamic (18)F-FDG PET and gene expression analysis.

Methods: For this purpose, nude rats bearing bone metastases were treated with cilengitide, a small molecule inhibitor of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins, from day 30 to 55 after tumor cell inoculation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (25 mg/kg, 5 days per week; n = 8 rats) and compared to control rats (n = 8). Dynamic (18)F-FDG PET data were assessed at days 30, 35 and 55 after tumor cell inoculation determining the vascular fraction VB and the metabolic variables k1-k4.

Calibration of cone beam CT using relative attenuation ratio for quantitative assessment of bone density: a small animal study.

Purpose: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has the disadvantage of providing non-quantitative results for bone density determination. The aim of this study is to calibrate CBCT results by using an internal reference (such as muscle) for quantitatively assessing bone density.

Methods: We developed a new method using the relative attenuation ratio between two nearby materials (such as bone and muscle) for systemic error correction in CBCT that depends on the relative object position in the image volume.

Tumor aggressiveness and patient outcome in cancer of the pancreas assessed by dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Unlabelled: This study aimed to assess the role of a quantitative dynamic PET model in pancreatic cancer as a potential index of tumor aggressiveness and predictor of survival.

Methods: Seventy-one patients with (18)F-FDG-avid adenocarcinoma of the pancreas before treatment were recruited, including 27 with localized tumors (11 underwent pancreatectomy, and 16 had localized nonresectable tumors) and 44 with metastatic disease. Dynamic (18)F-FDG PET images were acquired over a 60-min period, followed by a whole-body PET/CT study.

(18)F-Deoxyglucose (FDG) kinetics evaluated by a non-compartment model based on a linear regression function using a computer based simulation: correlation with the parameters of the two-tissue compartment model.

Parametric imaging with a linear regression function of the tracer activity curve fit is a non-compartmental method, which can be used for the evaluation of dynamic PET (dPET) studies. However, the dependency of the slope of the regression function fit on the (18)F-Deoxyglucose (FDG) 2-tissue compartment parameters (vb, k1-k4) is not known yet. This study is focused on the impact of the 2-tissue compartment parameters on the slope of the curve.

Quantitative approaches of dynamic FDG-PET and PET/CT studies (dPET/CT) for the evaluation of oncological patients.

Objectives: The use of dynamic positron emission tomography/computed tomography (dPET/CT) studies with [18F]deoxyglucose (FDG) in oncological patients is limited and primarily confined to research protocols. A more widespread application is, however, desirable, and may help to assess small therapeutic effects early after therapy as well as to differentiate borderline differences between tumour and non-tumour lesions, e.g.

Multimodal hypoxia imaging and intensity modulated radiation therapy for unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer: the HIL trial.

Background: Radiotherapy, preferably combined with chemotherapy, is the treatment standard for locally advanced, unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The tumor response to different therapy protocols is variable, with hypoxia known to be a major factor that negatively influences treatment effectiveness. Visualisation of tumor hypoxia prior to the use of modern radiation therapy strategies, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), might allow optimized dose applications to the target volume, leading to improvement of therapy outcome.

Evaluation of new bone formation in normal and osteoporotic rats with a 3-mm femur defect: functional assessment with dynamic PET-CT (dPET-CT) using 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ( (18)F-FDG) and (18)F-fluoride.

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to assess the formation of new bone in a 3-mm created defect in the femur and its adjacent bone tissue in osteoporotic and normal animals. The assessment is based on bone remodeling and glucose metabolism in a rat model with a 3-mm created defct in the femur using (18)F-fluoride and 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) as tracers for dynamic PET-CT (dPET-CT). The (18)F-fluoride PET data were compared with those of (18)F-FDG.

Dynamic PET with FDG in patients with unresectable aggressive fibromatosis: regression-based parametric images and correlation to the FDG kinetics based on a 2-tissue compartment model.

Objective: Dynamic PET (dPET) studies with 18F-FDG were performed in patients with unresectable aggressive fibromatosis before imatinib therapy. The goal of the study was to evaluate the impact of regression-based parametric imaging on tumor diagnostics. A comparison between the regression-based quantitative data (slope and intercept values) with the compartmental data of FDG was performed.

Correlation of dynamic PET and gene array data in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Introduction: The results obtained with dynamic PET (dPET) were compared to gene expression data obtained in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). The primary aim was to assess the association of the dPET results and gene expression data.

Material And Methods: dPET was performed following the injection of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in 22 patients with GIST.

Incidental detection and monitoring of spontaneous recovery of sarcoidosis via fluorine-18-fluoroethyl-choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

We report a case of sarcoidosis detected incidentally by using fluorine-18-fluoroethylcholine- positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FECH-PET/CT) in a 72 years old patient with prostate cancer, who had been referred for restaging after relapse indicated prostate specific antigen (PSA). The ¹⁸F-FECH-PET/CT examination showed a focal increased uptake in the prostate bed suggestive for local recurrence, in addition to multifocal uptake in the mediastinum matching with enlarged hilar and paratracheal lymph nodes. Histopathology revealed sarcoidosis.

Comparison between 68Ga-bombesin (68Ga-BZH3) and the cRGD tetramer 68Ga-RGD4 studies in an experimental nude rat model with a neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor cell line.

Objectives: Receptor scintigraphy gains more interest for diagnosis and treatment of tumors, in particular for neuroendocrine tumors (NET). We used a pan-Bombesin analog, the peptide DOTA-PEG2-[D-tyr6, β-Ala11, Thi13, Nle14] BN(6-14) amide (BZH3). BZH3 binds to at least three receptor subtypes: the BB1 (Neuromedin B), BB2 (Gastrin-releasing peptide, GRP), and BB3.

A phase II study evaluating neo-/adjuvant EIA chemotherapy, surgical resection and radiotherapy in high-risk soft tissue sarcoma.

Background: The role of chemotherapy in high-risk soft tissue sarcoma is controversial. Though many patients undergo initial curative resection, distant metastasis is a frequent event, resulting in 5-year overall survival rates of only 50-60%. Neo-adjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (CTX) has been applied to achieve pre-operative cytoreduction, assess chemosensitivity, and to eliminate occult metastasis.

Correlation of the Ga-68-bombesin analog Ga-68-BZH3 with receptors expression in gliomas as measured by quantitative dynamic positron emission tomography (dPET) and gene arrays.

Purpose: The kinetics of Ga-68-BZH3, a Ga-68-bombesin analog, was compared to molecular biological data obtained from gene arrays in seven patients with a recurrent glioma. The primary aim of this study was the correlation of receptor expression and tracer kinetics.

Procedures: Dynamic positron emission tomography studies were performed and the data were analyzed by a volume-of-interest technique using a two-tissue compartment model as well as a non-compartment model.

Evaluation of treatment response of cilengitide in an experimental model of breast cancer bone metastasis using dynamic PET with 18F-FDG.

The purpose of this study was the assessment of the feasibility of dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) studies with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) to quantify effects of the cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp peptide cilengitide, which targets the ανβ 3 and ανβ 5 integrin receptors in rats with breast cancer bone metastases. Rats were inoculated with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, followed by the development of lytic lesions in the hind leg. Rats with lytic lesions were treated with cilengitide five times weekly on a continuous basis from days 30 to 55 after tumor cell inoculation.