Efficacy of a fixed low dose of radioactive iodine in the treatment of Graves' disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: Graves' disease represents 60%-90% of all causes of thyrotoxicosis in different regions of the world. Thyrotoxicosis contributes approximately 66% to thyroid disorders in South Africa and of those Graves' disease contributes about 34%. In most Sub-Saharan African countries, Graves' disease is managed mainly with medical treatment, due to a lack of or poor access to other means of treatment.

Treatment delays for cancer patients in Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa as a microcosm.

Purpose: Delays in initiating cancer treatment time to treatment initiation (TTI) can negatively impact patient outcomes. This study aimed to quantify the association between TTI and survival in breast, cervical and prostate cancer patients at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, as a microcosm of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: We analyzed electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with breast, cervical or prostate cancer at IALCH between 2010 and 2020.

Chemokine Receptor-4 Targeted PET/CT Imaging with Ga-Pentixafor in Head and Neck Cancer-A Comparison with F-FDG and CXCR4 Immunohistochemistry.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is common, and its incidence is increasing, particularly in HIV-infected individuals who present with more aggressive disease. Despite aggressive treatment, the prognosis remains poor because of resistance to chemoradiation therapy. So far, studies report very low [Ga]Ga-Pentixafor avidity in HNSCC.

Advances in PSMA Alpha Theragnostics.

Alpha theranostics offer an attractive alternative form of therapy, which has best been investigated and documented with Ac-PSMA in patients with prostate cancer. Advantages offered by targeted alpha therapy include overcoming radiation resistance, oxygen independence, effecting double-stranded DNA breakages within the tumors with anticipated improved clinical outcomes and an acceptable side effect profile. The previous Seminars article on this topic, published in 2020, had to rely mostly on published case reports and small observational studies.

A Comparison of Ga-PSMA PET/CT-Based Split Renal Function with Tc-MAG3 Renography in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Carcinoma Treated with Lu-PSMA.

Background: Physiological PSMA expression in the cells of the proximal renal tubules and consecutive radiopharmaceutical binding and retention could potentially lead to radioligand-therapy-induced nephrotoxicity. Thus, patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer undergo Tc-Mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) renal scintigraphy to assess kidney function and to exclude renal obstruction as part of their workup for PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT). Tc-MAG-3 renal scintigraphy often requires an additional visit to the nuclear medicine department and patients spend 30-90 min in the department, which is inconvenient and takes up camera time.

Correlation between [Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET Imaging and HIF-1α Immunohistochemical Analysis in Cervical Cancer: Proof-of-Concept.

Hypoxia leads to changes in tumor microenvironment (upregulated CAFs) with resultant aggressiveness. A key factor in the physiological response to hypoxia is hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α). [Ga]Ga-FAPI PET imaging has been demonstrated in various cancer types.

Gallium-68 fibroblast activation protein inhibitor positron emission tomography in cardiovascular disease.

Gallium-68 fibroblast activation protein inhibitor [(Ga)Ga-FAPI] is a new radiopharmaceutical positioning itself as the preferred agent in patients with malignant tumours, competing with 2-Deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose [2-(F)FDG] using positron emission tomography (PET). While imaging oncology patients with [Ga]Ga-FAPI PET, incidental uptake of [Ga]Ga-FAPI has been detected in the myocardium. This review summarises original research studies associating the visualisation of FAPI-based tracers in the myocardium with underlying active cardiovascular disease.

Expanding radiotherapy access in Sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of travel burdens and patient-related benefits of hypofractionation.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to examine the travel burdens for radiotherapy patients in Nigeria, Tanzania, and South Africa, and to assess the patient-related benefits of hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) for breast and prostate cancer patients in these countries. The outcomes can inform the implementation of the recent Lancet Oncology Commission recommendations on increasing the adoption of HFRT in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to enhance radiotherapy access in the region.

Methods: Data were extracted from electronic patient records at the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Center (NLCC) in Lagos, Nigeria and the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban, South Africa, from written records at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Oncology Center in Enugu, Nigeria, and from phone interviews at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Ac-PSMA-617 radioligand therapy of de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate carcinoma (mHSPC): preliminary clinical findings.

Purpose: Ac-PSMA-617 has demonstrated good anti-tumor effect as a treatment option for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. No study has previously assessed treatment outcome and survival following Ac-PSMA-617 treatment of de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate carcinoma (mHSPC) patients. Based on the potential side effects that are known and explained to the patients by the oncologist, some of the patients refused the standard treatment and are seeking alternative therapies.

The Role of PET/CT in Breast Cancer.

Female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases (11.7%), followed by lung cancer (11.

The SARS-COV-2 Seroprevalence among Oncology Patients.

Patients with cancer are presumed to be vulnerable to an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and severe clinical outcomes due to the immunocompromised state mediated by their underlying malignancies and therapy. The aim of this study was to estimate the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, following second to fourth waves in solid tumour patients attending the Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH) for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. We used the single-prick COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassettes to detect SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM antibodies in 760 patients with solid tumours who were asymptomatic and who had never tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Role of Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomographic (PET/CT) Imaging for Radiation Therapy Planning: A Literature Review.

PET/CT is revolutionising radiotherapy treatment planning in many cancer sites. While its utility has been confirmed in some cancer sites, and is used in routine clinical practice, it is still at an experimental stage in many other cancer sites. This review discusses the utility of PET/CT in cancer sites where the role of PET/CT has been established in cases such as head and neck, cervix, brain, and lung cancers, as well as cancer sites where the role of PET/CT is still under investigation such as uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

Gallium-68 Labelled Radiopharmaceuticals for Imaging Inflammatory Disorders.

Inflammation is an important component of several chronic and debilitating diseases that result in significant morbidity and mortality. This is best evidenced within the cardiovascular system where it may manifest as atherosclerosis or myocarditis, and at the extreme end of the spectrum as myocardial infarction, ventricular remodeling, or cardiac failure. Early non-invasive detection and monitoring of inflammation in these and other settings may better guide patient management with resultant improved outcomes.

Current Status of Ga-Pentixafor in Solid Tumours.

Chemokine receptor CXCR4 is overexpressed in neoplasms and its expression is related to tumour invasion, metastasis and aggressiveness. Ga-Pentixafor is used to non-invasively image the expression of CXCR4 in tumours and has been widely used in haematological malignancies. Recent evidence shows that therapies targeting CXCR4 can increase the chemosensitivity of the tumour as well as inhibit tumour metastasis and aggressiveness.

PET/CT features of a novel gallium-68 labelled hypoxia seeking agent in patients diagnosed with tuberculosis: a proof-of-concept study.

Introduction: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in infection and inflammation has yielded promising results across a range of radiopharmaceuticals. In particular, PET/CT imaging of tuberculosis (TB) allows for a better understanding of this complex disease by providing insights into molecular processes within the TB microenvironment. TB lesions are hypoxic with research primarily focussed on cellular processes occurring under hypoxic stress.

Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT Initial Staging in Black and White South African Males with ISUP Grade Group 1 and 2 Prostate Adenocarcinoma.

Prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa) is a leading cause of mortality. Black males with high-risk PCa have a poorer prognosis compared to white males. Patients with International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Grade Group (GG) 1 and 2 PCa have little potential for metastases post radical prostatectomy.

The Diagnostic Performance of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT in Prostate Cancer Patients with Early Recurrence after Definitive Therapy with a PSA <10 ng/ml.

Aim: The prostate bed is one of the common sites of early recurrence of prostate cancer. The currently used PSMA ligands (Ga-PSMA-11 and Tc-PSMA) undergo early urinary clearance resulting in interfering physiological activity within and surrounding the prostate. This can result in sites of cancer recurrence being obscured.

Hematologic toxicity profile and efficacy of [Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 α-radioligand therapy of patients with extensive skeletal metastases of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Purpose: Actinium-225-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen ([Ac]Ac-PSMA-617) is safe and effective in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). No study has specifically assessed its safety in patients with extensive skeletal metastases of mCRPC. We aimed to investigate the hematologic toxicity and efficacy of [Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 therapy in patients with extensive skeletal metastases of mCRPC.

The Use of F-FDG PET/CT Metabolic Parameters in Predicting Overall Survival in Patients Undergoing Restaging for Malignant Melanoma.

Malignant melanoma is one of the more aggressive cancers in the skin, with an increasing incidence every year. Melanoma has a better prognosis if diagnosed early and survival tends to decrease once the disease has metastasized. Positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (F-FDG) has been used extensively over the past two decades in staging and assessing responses to therapy in patients with melanoma.

A Prospective Investigation of Tumor Hypoxia Imaging with Ga-Nitroimidazole PET/CT in Patients with Carcinoma of the Cervix Uteri and Comparison with F-FDG PET/CT: Correlation with Immunohistochemistry.

Hypoxia in cervical cancer has been associated with a poor prognosis. Over the years Ga labelled nitroimidazoles have been studied and have shown improved kinetics. We present our initial experience of hypoxia Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging in cervical cancer with Ga-Nitroimidazole derivative and the correlation with F-FDG PET/CT and immunohistochemistry.

mCRPC Patients Receiving Ac-PSMA-617 Therapy in the Post-Androgen Deprivation Therapy Setting: Response to Treatment and Survival Analysis.

Ac-PSMA-617, targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), which is overexpressed on prostate cancer cells, has shown a remarkable therapeutic efficacy in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate carcinoma (mCRPC). Here, we report on treatment outcome and survival using this novel treatment modality in a series of 53 patients with mCRPC directly after their androgen deprivation treatment (ADT). Ac-PSMA-617 was administered to 53 such patients.

Radionuclide imaging of hypoxia: Where are we now? Special attention to cancer of the cervix uteri.

Cancer of the cervix is the fourth commonest malignancy in women worldwide and it also ranks fourth as the cause of cancer related mortality in women. Hypoxia is a common characteristic of solid tumours and cervical cancer is no exception. Hypoxia is associated with increased aggressiveness, risk of invasion and metastasis.

The Utility of Metabolic Parameters on Baseline F-18 FDG PET/CT in Predicting Treatment Response and Survival in Paediatric and Adolescent Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Lymphoma is the third most common paediatric cancer. Early detection of high-risk patients is necessary to anticipate those who require intensive therapy and follow-up. Current literature shows that residual tumor avidity on PET (Positron Emission Tomography) following chemotherapy corresponds with decreased survival.