ImmunoPET imaging of hematological malignancies: From preclinical promise to clinical reality

Immuno-positron emission tomography (immunoPET) imaging is a paradigm-shifting imaging technique for whole-body and all-lesion tumor detection, based on the combined specificity of tumor-targeting vectors [e.g., monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), nanobodies, and bispecific antibodies] and the sensitivity of PET imaging. By noninvasively, comprehensively, and serially revealing heterogeneous tumor antigen expression, immunoPET imaging is gradually improving the theranostic prospects for hematological malignancies. In this review, we summarize the available literature regarding immunoPET in imaging hematological malignancies. We also highlight the pros and cons of current conjugation strategies, and modular chemistry that can be leveraged to develop novel immunoPET probes for hematological malignancies. Lastly, we discuss the use of immunoPET imaging in guiding antibody drug development.     

Prevalence and characteristics of post-gastroscopy gastric cancer: A retrospective study from an academic medical center

Background and Study AimsGastric cancer is diagnosed by endoscopy but false negative rates of up to 10% in the west and 40% in Asia have been reported. In Lebanon, little is known about the rates of post-gastroscopy gastric cancer (PGGC), defined as the proportion of patients diagnosed with gastric cancer with a negative previous examination within 2 years of diagnosis. We aimed to examine the rate of PGGC and its risk factors, clinico-pathologic and endoscopic characteristics at a University medical Center.Patients and MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients with histologically proven gastric malignancy over the last 14 years. Patients with history of upper endoscopy preceding the index diagnostic endoscopy by 6 to 24 months were included.Results18,976 patients underwent upper endoscopy and gastric cancer was diagnosed in 323 (1.7%). Of those, only 4 (1.2%) had a preceding endoscopy within 6 to 24 months of diagnosis: 3 adenocarcinoma and one MALT lymphoma. Upon review of the initial endoscopy, a mucosal abnormality had been noted in all 4 patients and biopsies taken in 3 were negative for cancer. The mean time to cancer diagnosis was 8 months (range 6–13 months).ConclusionA small proportion of gastric carcinomas are missed on endoscopy in this study. Patients with endoscopic evidence of mucosal abnormalities and negative biopsies should undergo repeat examination with multiple biopsies. Proper endoscopic technique, lesion recognition and adoption of performance improvement measures are important to optimize endoscopic practice.     

Hepatitis C virus in MALT-lymphoma of the ocular adnexa

ObjectiveHepatitis C virus (HCV) has been proposed as a possible etiologic factor in ocular adnexal marginal zone lymphoma (OAML). We aimed to assess the prevalence of HCV infection in patients with OAML through a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsElectronic databases were searched from their inception to August 2019 for studies assessing HCV seroprevalence in patients with OAML. Pooled prevalence of HCV infection was calculated with 95 % confidence interval (CI). Statistical heterogeneity among studies was quantified via the inconsistency index (I²). Funnel plot symmetry was used to assess the risk of bias across studies.ResultsNine studies with 360 patients were included. Overall pooled prevalence of HCV in OAML was 12.7 %, with low statistical heterogeneity (I² = 17.4 %) and with asymmetrical funnel plot. The studies clustered into two groups: 5 studies (3 from Italy and 2 multicenter with a major Italian contribution) showed a higher HCV prevalence in OAML (15.6 %), while the other 4 (from countries other than Italy) showed a lower prevalence (4.7 %); in both subgroups, statistical heterogeneity was null (I² = 0%) and funnel plot was symmetrical.ConclusionHCV might be a significant etiologic factor of OAML in Italy.     

头颈区黏膜淋巴瘤的WHO分类更新及诊断方法

2017年1月与9月，《WHO头颈肿瘤分类》（第4版）与《WHO造血淋巴组织肿瘤分类》（修订第4版）两本蓝皮书相继面世，笔者也有幸受邀参与了《WHO头颈肿瘤分类》（第4版）一书中淋巴造血组织肿瘤有关章节的编写工作，分别对这两个新分类中关于头颈区黏膜淋巴组织增生性疾病的内容更新、头颈区黏膜淋巴瘤的诊断方法以及该区域常见淋巴瘤类型的诊断与鉴别诊断要点作一简介。     

Anticancer Activity of Novel NF-kB Inhibitor DHMEQ by Intraperitoneal Administration

There have been great advances in the therapy of cancer and leukemia. However, there are still many neoplastic diseases that are difficult to treat. For example, it is often difficult to find effective therapies for aggressive cancer and leukemia. An NF- B inhibitor named dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ) was discovered in 2000. This compound was designed based on the structure of epoxyquinomicin isolated from a microorganism. It was shown to be a specific inhibitor that directly binds to and inactivates NF- B components. Until now, DHMEQ has been used by many scientists in the world to suppress animal models of cancer and inflammation. Especially, it was shown to suppress difficult cancer models, such as hormone-insensitive breast cancer and prostate cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and multiple myeloma. No toxicity has been reported so far. DHMEQ was administered via the intraperitoneal (IP) route in most of the animal experiments because of its simplicity. In the course of developmental studies, it was found that IP administration never increased the blood concentration of DHMEQ because of the instability of DHMEQ in the blood. It is suggested that inflammatory cells in the peritoneal cavity would be important for cancer progression, and that IP administration, itself, is important for the effectiveness and safety of DHMEQ. In the present review, we describe mechanism of action, its in vivo anticancer activity, and future clinical use of DHMEQ IP therapy.     

Granulomatous slack skin T-cell lymphoma: an important differential diagnosis with giant cell tumor of soft tissue

Granulomatous slack skin is an indolent T-cell lymphoma, considered to be a variant of mycosis fungoides. Clinically it is characterized by areas of redundant skin, wrinkled, inelastic, with variable erythema and infiltration besides a poikilodermic surface. A differential diagnosis unknown to most dermatologists is the giant cell tumor of soft tissue, which is an extremely rare low-grade sarcoma. The authors report a patient who had undergone extensive surgery because of a primary diagnosis of giant cell tumor of soft tissue, but which proved to be granulomatous slack skin after a second interventional procedure with confirmatory histopathology.     

原发性胃淋巴瘤MSCT影像特征分析

目的:分析原发性胃淋巴瘤MSCT影像学特征。方法:回顾性分析经病理证实的20例原发性胃淋巴瘤的MSCT资料。结果:20例原发性胃淋巴瘤中,发生部位胃底1例,胃底-胃体6例,胃体-胃窦4例,胃体7例,胃窦1例,全胃1例。胃壁增厚是原发性胃淋巴瘤主要表现,其中弥漫性增厚8例,节段性增厚10例,局限性胃壁增厚2例。PGL胃黏膜线完整16例;4例胃黏膜破坏。"三轨征"5例。腹腔及腹膜后淋巴结转移17例。结论:原发性胃淋巴瘤侵及范围广,胃壁明显增厚,黏膜破坏及溃疡较少见,较少发生梗阻。"三轨征"可能是肿瘤早期向周围正常肌层组织侵犯的表现。