不同放射性活度131I清除分化型甲状腺癌患者残留甲状腺的荟萃分析

目的 使用荟萃分析方法汇总所有的随机对照研究,比较不同放射性活度131I清除术后残留甲状腺(清甲)的成功率,明确最佳的清甲剂量.方法 以‘thyroid’+‘cancer or carcinoma’+‘ablat$’(包括了ablation、ablative和ablate)为关键词检索2014年3月前Cochrane Library、MEDLINE、EMBASE和SCOPUS等数据库评估不同放射性活度”1 I清甲成功率的随机对照研究文献,并用Google学术查找相关文献.用RevMan 5.2进行统计学分析,依据Cochrane质量评价标准进行文献质量评估.纳入标准如下:(1)已发表的比较不同剂量131I对分化型甲状腺癌(DTC)清甲成功率的研究.(2)患者均行甲状腺切除术.(3)均为术后首次131I治疗.(4)服131I后3～12个月行清甲成功率评估.(5)服131I剂量为888 ～4 440 MBq(24～120 mCi).本研究定义低剂量为888～1 443 MBq(24～39 mCi)、中剂量为1 480～2 923 MBq(40 ～79 mCi)、高剂量为2 960～4 440 MBq(80～120 mCi).当研究间存在异质性时(I2＞50％)、采用随机效应模型进行荟萃分析,否则采用固定效应模型进行荟萃分析.结果 共纳入17个随机对照研究,包括3 737例患者(低剂量1 514例、中剂量811例、高剂量1 412例).5项研究比较了低剂量与中剂量的成功率,研究间有异质性(I2 =67％,P=0.02)、采用随机效应模型,荟萃分析结果显示两组的清甲成功率差异无统计学意义[风险比(RR) =0.89(0.80～1.00),P=0.06].7项研究比较了中剂量与高剂量的成功率,研究间无异质性(I2=34％,P=0.17),采用固定效应模型,荟萃分析结果显示两组剂量的清甲成功率差异无统计学意义[RR =0.94(0.89～1.00),P=0.05].11项研究比较了低剂量与高剂量的成功率,研究间有异质性(I2=70％,P=0.0002),采用随机效应模型,荟萃分析结果显示高剂量的清甲成功率显著高于低剂量[RR=0.89(0.81 ～0.97),P=0.008].结论 对于术后DTC患者,低剂量与中剂量131I以及中剂量与高剂量131I的清甲成功率无明显差异,但高剂量131I的清甲成功率显著高于低剂量.     

分化型甲状腺癌患者术后首次行131I清除残余甲状腺组织的疗效及其影响因素

目的探讨分化型甲状腺癌(DTC)患者术后首次行131I清除残余甲状腺组织(清甲)的疗效,并分析其疗效影响因素。方法选择DTC术后患者102例,首次行131I清甲治疗前停服甲状腺激素,空腹一次性口服131I 100～120 mCi;清甲治疗后3～5 d行甲状腺激素长期替代治疗。治疗前用化学发光免疫分析法检测患者的血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)、甲状腺球蛋白(Tg);治疗前后行甲状腺摄取131I率及131I甲状腺显像检查。采用单因素和多因素Lo-gistic回归分析方法,分析患者性别、年龄、病理类型、清甲前血清TSH、Tg、甲状腺摄取131I率和131I治疗剂量对清甲疗效的影响。结果 102例患者中,首次清甲成功37例、未成功65例,清甲成功患者的131I治疗剂量明显低于未成功患者(P=0.000)。单因素分析显示,131I治疗剂量(P=0.020)越大,治疗前血清TSH(P=0.000)越高、Tg(P=0.000)越低,清甲疗效越高;患者的年龄、性别、病理类型及清甲前残余甲状腺摄取131I率对首次清甲疗效无明显影响(P分别为0.119、0.315、0.835、0.375)。多因素分析显示,131I治疗剂量、清甲治疗前血清TSH及Tg水平是影响清甲疗效的影响因素(P分别为0.049、0.014、0.001)。结论131I治疗剂量、治疗前血清TSH及Tg水平是影响DTC患者术后首次清甲疗效的重要影响因素。     

131碘联合碳酸锂去除分化型甲状腺癌术后剩余甲状腺的疗效观察

分化型甲状腺癌在切除原发灶后,用~(131)碘(~(131I)去除剩余甲状腺组织是及时发现与治疗甲状腺癌转移灶、降低甲状腺癌复发率的有效手段.而碳酸锂可增强~(131)I的辐射作用。因此,作者应用~(131)I联合碳酸锂去除剩余甲状腺组织,以探讨其疗效,现将结果报道如下。1对象与方法1.1观察对象与分组:以2002年3月至2005年5月在山东省聊城市人民医院     

重组人促甲状腺素介导分化型甲状腺癌的131I治疗

目的 研究重组人促甲状腺素(rhTSH)介导分化型甲状腺癌131I治疗对内源性TSH、甲状腺球蛋白、FT3、FT4的影响及其清甲成功率.方法 31例(年龄14～70岁,其中女性23例)接受rhTSH介导的131I治疗(甲状腺功能正常组),31例(年龄23～72岁,其中女性22例)停用甲状腺素后的行131I治疗[甲状腺功能减退组(甲减组)]观察注射rhTSH前后血清TSH、FT3、FT4以及甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)、甲状腺球蛋白浓度变化,以及131I治疗后6～12个月131I全身诊断显像评价其疗效.结果 使用rhTSH前后,血清TSH、甲状腺球蛋白、FT3、FT4的平均浓度分别是(1.08±4.01)和(140.26±27.20)mIU/L(P＜0.05)、(23.75±132.92)和(169.58±178.49)μg/L(P＜0.05)、(4.52±1.16)和(4.42±1.11)pmol/L(P＞0.05)、(15.09±5.83)和(13.66±5.85)pmol/L(P＞0.05).诊断剂量131I-全身显像显示甲状腺功能正常组24/31(77.4%)及甲减组22/31(71.0%)被考虑成功清甲(P＞0.05).以甲状腺球蛋白评价两组131I治疗疗效统计学无显著差异(P＞0.05),甲状腺功能正常组20/31(64.50%)及甲减组18/31(58.06%)被考虑成功清甲.结论 使用rhTSH能有效刺激内源性TSH增高,提高生活质量,获得较高的清甲成功率.使用rhTSH能有效刺激血清甲状腺球蛋白,有利于监测肿瘤残存、复发与转移.

Abstract：

Objective To observe the influence of recombinant human thyrotropin(rhTSH)on serum concentration of endogenous thyrotropin(TSH), free triiodothyronine(FT3), free thyroxine(FT4), thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb), and thyroglobulin(Tg). To evaluate the efficacy of rhTSH-aided radioiodine treatment in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC). Methods The study recruitment took place between November 2007 and March 2009. 62 patients(including 45 females)with biopsy confirmed DTC had undergone total or nearly total thyroidectomy, and received 131I treatment. 31 patients(including 22 females), median age of 45 years(23-72), received radioiodine treatment 4 weeks after L-thyroxine(T4)withdrawal. The other 31 patients(including 23 females), median age of 44 years(14-70), underwent rhTSH-aided radioiodine treatment. Before and after rhTSH injection, serum TSH, FT3, FT4, TGAb, and thyroglobulin were tested. Post-radiotherapy whole body scan was performed 5 to 7 days after radioiodine treatment and qualitatively and blindly evaluated by two nuclear medicine physicians. Follow-up took place 6 to 12 months after radioiodine treatment. The efficacy of rhTSH-aided radioiodine treatment was evaluated by whole body scan with diagnostic dose radioiodine. SPSS 13.0 statistical software was applied. Results (1)Before and after rhTSH-aided radioiodine treatment, the serum TSH was(1.08±4.01)vs(140.26±27.20)mIU/L(P＜0.05), thyroglobulin(23.75±132.92)vs(169.58±178.49)μg/L(P＜0.05), FT3(4.52±1.16)vs(4.42±1.11)pmol/L(P＞0.05), and FT4(15.09±5.83)vs(13.66±5.85)pmol/L(P＞0.05),respectively.(2)rhTSH-aided radioiodine ablation treatment had the same effect as L-T4withdrawal aided. The complete response ratio was 77.4% vs 71.0%(P＞0.05)by radioiodine whole body scan of diagnostic dose. Conclusion rhTSH-aided radioiodine treatment of DTC was effective and safe, and did at least at equivalent degree as did L-T4withdrawal. Furthermore, Serum thyroglobulin level could be effectively stimulated by rhTSH with tumor relapse or metastasis.     

分化型甲状腺癌~(131)I治疗后再次停用左旋甲状腺激素血清促甲状腺激素未升高伴高甲状腺球蛋白血症1例

目的记录1例分化型甲状腺癌~(131)I治疗后再次停用左旋甲状腺激素血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)未升高伴高甲状腺球蛋白(Tg)血症的病例,分析患者的影像学、实验室检查结果,进一步加深对该病的认识。方法回顾性分析1例分化型甲状腺癌~(131)I治疗后再次停用左旋甲状腺激素血清TSH未升高伴高Tg血症病例于2016～2018年治疗过程及随访过程的相应影像学及实验室检查结果,进一步了解并认识甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)术后出现该情况的处理方法。结果该患女性,43岁, PTC术后规律服用左旋甲状腺激素(L-T4)抑制治疗(该患者所服用药物为优甲乐)。术后两次行~(131)I治疗,并在治疗前停用L～T4 28 d后复查:TSH刺激情况下Tg均500 ng/ml;治疗后,TSH抑制状态下Tg水平逐渐下降,第2次~(131)I治疗后全身碘显像(WBS)结果阴性。第2次治疗后4个月为进一步明确患者病情,再次停用L～T4 28 d后评估刺激性Tg的水平,但TSH为0.078μIU/ml,Tg 20.99 ng/ml,游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3) 4.3 pmol/L,游离甲状腺激素(FT4) 12.2 pmol/L,TgAb 3.77 IU/ml,Tg 20.99 ng/ml。PET-CT:未见远处转移,仅显示颈淋巴结转移。结论该患者为一种很少见的~(131)I治疗后短期内再次停用L-T4使患者不能处于甲减状态的病例,此类患者仅通过TSH抑制状态下的Tg和WBS的结果无法准确评估病情,需借助PET-CT及刺激性Tg水平来明确病情状况。     

93例分化型甲状腺癌术后^131I首次清除剩余甲状腺组织的疗效分析

在切除甲状腺癌原发病灶后,用^131I清除剩余甲状腺组织（简称清甲）是及时发现与治疗甲状腺癌转移病灶,降低甲状腺癌复发率的手段。我们对93例分化型甲状腺癌术后患者进行了^131I首次清甲治疗,现报道如下。     

放射性碘和丙基硫氧嘧啶治疗对甲状腺功能亢进患者促甲状腺免疫球蛋白的影响

作者对17例经~(131)Ⅰ治疗的甲状腺功能亢进(甲亢)患者及37例经丙基硫氧嘧啶治疗的甲亢患者进行治疗前及治疗后血中促甲状腺免疫球蛋白(ThyroidStimulating Immunoglobulin,TSAb)测定。发现在(131)Ⅰ治疗后最初3周内 TSAb 水平减低,而7周后     

基因重组人工促红细胞生在素对血液透析患者贫血的疗效观察

贫血是慢性肾衰的严重并发症之一，而使用基因重组人工促红细胞生成素（ｒ－ＨｕＥＰＯ）可迅速纠正贫血。大多数患者ｒ－ＨｕＥＰＯ治疗起始量为１００Ｕ／ｋｇ，每周３次静脉或皮下注射，６周后Ｈｂ可或至１００ｇ／Ｌ，红细胞压积（Ｈｃｔ）升压０．３３～０．３５以上，改用维持量５０Ｕ／ｋｇ，每周３次。其中４例患者需要增大剂量为１５０Ｕ／ｋｇ，每周３次。疗效较差的原因与反复肺感染、营养摄入不足、铁的缺乏有关。所以治     

分化型甲状腺癌术后首次131I清除剩余甲状腺组织的效果及影响因素

目的 观察分化型甲状腺癌术后首次131I清除剩余甲状腺组织(清甲)的效果并对其影响因素.方法 分化型甲状腺癌术后行131I首次清甲治疗患者177例,分别依据患者年龄、性别、病理类型、手术方式及术后到首次131I清甲间隔时间进行分组,131I清甲剂量均为3.7 GBq,治疗后3个月行颈部131I扫描,以颈部剩余甲状腺显像与周围本底相比未见摄碘灶为清除成功标准.结果 177例病人中成功清除者129例,首次131I清甲成功率为72.88%.患者年龄、性别及病理类型均不影响首次131I清甲效果;手术方式及术后到首次131I清甲间隔时间对首次131I清甲效果影响较大.结论 分化型甲状腺癌患者手术治疗应以甲状腺全切为首选,并在术后4个月内进行131I清甲治疗.     

人基因重组促红细胞生成素治疗血液透析患者严重贫血疗效观察

我们用人基因重组促红细胞生成素(rHuEPO)治疗30例尿毒症血透患者严重贫血,不仅能迅速纠正贫血,而且患者生存质量明显提高。 1.材料和方法:男25例,女5例;平均年龄45.2±9.3岁;平均血透时间1.89±1.08年,每周透析2～3次,每次透析4小时,病情已稳定。引起终末期肾病的病因为慢性肾炎23例,系统性红斑狼疮2例,糖尿病肾病、慢性肾盂肾炎、动脉硬化肾病、痛风性肾病、先天性多囊肾各1例。无溶血、铁、维生素B_(12)及叶酸缺乏的证据。均未用过雄性     

Radioiodine ablation of thyroid remnants after preparation with recombinant human thyrotropin.

Radioiodine ablation (RA) of normal thyroid remnants after thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma improves the sensitivity of subsequent radioiodine scans and serum thyroglobulin measurements for detection of residual thyroid carcinoma. Local cancer recurrences are also lower after RA. One standard preparation for RA involves rendering the patient hypothyroid in order to stimulate endogenous thyrotropin (TSH) secretion and sodium iodide symporter (NIS) activity. An alternative approach is to prescribe thyroxine after thyroidectomy and to stimulate NIS with exogenous recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH). This latter approach was used in 10 patients at our medical center. Complete resolution of all visible 131I thyroid bed uptake was achieved in all when follow-up scans were performed 5 to 13 months later. This approach has the potential to successfully ablate thyroid remnants without the need to induce hypothyroidism.     

Use of recombinant human thyrotropin before radioiodine therapy in patients with advanced differentiated thyroid carcinoma

The use of 131I for radioablative therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) requires a sufficient serum concentration of TSH for efficient thyroid tissue uptake of iodine. We describe the use of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) in conjunction with ablative radioiodine therapy (RIT) in 11 patients (16 total treatments) with advanced and/or recurrent DTC (5 papillary, 6 follicular) for whom withdrawal of thyroid hormone suppression therapy (THST), the standard method to increase serum TSH, was not an option. Indications for rhTSH use in these patients included inability to tolerate withdrawal of thyroid hormones due to very poor physical condition or inability to achieve sufficient serum TSH levels after THST withdrawal. Ten patients had undergone thyroidectomy, and most (9 of 11) had received prior ablative RIT after THST withdrawal. Baseline thyroglobulin levels ranged from 25 to nearly 30,000 ng/mL, reflecting the heterogeneity of the patient population. In 7 cases (5 patients), posttherapy thyroglobulin levels assessed at a mean of 4.3 months (range, 2-10 months) after 131I therapy were decreased by at least 30% compared to pretherapy levels. In follow-up visits, an additional 3 patients showed marked clinical improvement or decreased or stabilized tumor burden in whole body scans compared to pretherapy scans. Three patients died of progressive disease within 2 months of therapy before follow-up assessments occurred. No adverse events were reported among the 8 surviving patients. The results suggest that rhTSH offers a promising alternative to THST withdrawal to allow ablative RIT after effective TSH stimulation in patients with advanced recurrent DTC who would not otherwise be able to receive this treatment. This therapeutic indication extends the clinical potential of this new agent, already demonstrated to be effective for use with 131I for diagnostic purposes.     

Radioiodine ablation of thyroid remnants after preparation with recombinant human thyrotropin in differentiated thyroid carcinoma: results of an international, randomized, controlled study

CONTEXT: After surgery for differentiated thyroid carcinoma, many patients are treated with radioiodine to ablate remnant thyroid tissue. This procedure has been performed with the patient in the hypothyroid state to promote endogenous TSH stimulation and is often associated with hypothyroid symptoms and impaired quality of life. OBJECTIVE AND INTERVENTION: This international, randomized, controlled, multicenter trial aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) to prepare euthyroid patients on L-thyroxine therapy (euthyroid group) to ablate remnant thyroid tissue with 3.7 GBq (100 mCi) 131I, compared with that with conventional remnant ablation performed in the hypothyroid state (hypothyroid group). Quality of life was determined at the time of randomization and ablation. After the administration of the 131-I dose, the rate of radiation clearance from blood, thyroid remnant, and whole body was measured. RESULTS: The predefined primary criterion for successful ablation was "no visible uptake in the thyroid bed, or if visible, fractional uptake less than 0.1%" on neck scans performed 8 months after therapy and was satisfied in 100% of patients in both groups. A secondary criterion for ablation, an rhTSH-stimulated serum thyroglobulin concentration less than 2 ng/ml, was fulfilled by 23 of 24 (96%) euthyroid patients and 18 of 21 (86%) hypothyroid patients (P = 0.2341). Quality of life was well preserved in the euthyroid group, compared with the hypothyroid group, as demonstrated by their lower pretreatment scores on the Billewicz scale for hypothyroid signs and symptoms, 27 +/- 7 vs. 18 +/- 4 (P < 0.0001) and their significantly higher Short Form-36 Health Assessment Scale scores in five of eight categories. Euthyroid patients had a statistically significant one third lower radiation dose to the blood, compared with patients in the hypothyroid group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates comparable remnant ablation rates in patients prepared for 131I remnant ablation with 3.7 GBq by either administering rhTSH or withholding thyroid hormone. rhTSH-prepared patients maintained a higher quality of life and received less radiation exposure to the blood.     

Radioiodine treatment with 30 mCi after recombinant human thyrotropin stimulation in thyroid cancer: effectiveness for postsurgical remnants ablation and possible role of iodine content in L-thyroxine in the outcome of ablation

The main steps in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer are thyroidectomy, treatment with iodine-131 ((131)I), and follow-up with whole-body scanning (WBS) and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) determination. Both (131)I treatment and follow-up require maximum stimulation of normal or pathological thyroid remnants by TSH. The use of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) has been shown to be useful for follow-up, whereas previous reports are not univocal regarding the use of (131)I postsurgical ablation of thyroid remnants, at least when low doses (30 mCi) of (131)I are administered. A possible explanation for the diminished effectiveness of (131)I treatment after rhTSH may be the interference of iodine content of L-thyroxine (L-T4) therapy during the protocol of administration of rhTSH. We have evaluated the effectiveness of stimulation by rhTSH for radioiodine ablation of postsurgical remnants, stopping L-T4 the day before the first injection of rhTSH and restarting L-T4 the day after (131)I. The study included two groups of patients: group 1 included 16 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (15 papillary cancers and 1 follicular cancer, stages I and II), who were treated with 30 mCi (131)I with the aid of rhTSH, using the standard protocol but stopping L-T4 as stated previously; and group 2 included 24 patients with the same features (histology and stage) of disease treated with 30 mCi in the hypothyroid state after L-T4 withdrawal. In both groups, serum TSH reached a very good stimulation level [76-210 U/liter (mean, 112 +/- 11 SE) and 38-82 U/liter (mean, 51 +/- 3 SE), respectively]. At the first WBS (after (131)I treatment), all patients showed thyroid remnants. Furthermore, two patients of the first group and three patients of the second group showed lymph node metastases. After 1 yr, all patients were studied again and underwent WBS with a tracer dose of (131)I and serum Tg measurement using rhTSH with the same protocol in both groups. The percentage of ablation (undetectable Tg and a negative WBS) was higher, although not reaching statistical significance, in patients treated with rhTSH: 81.2% in patients treated by rhTSH withdrawal and 75.0% in patients treated by L-T4 withdrawal, respectively. No patient experienced symptoms of hypothyroidism during the 4 d of L-T4 interruption, and serum T4 remained in the normal range. Urinary iodine was analyzed in both groups and compared with a control group of patients who received, for diagnostic purposes, rhTSH without stopping L-T4. In the first group, urinary iodine was 47.2 +/- 4.0 microg/liter (mean +/- SE; P = 0.21 vs. the second group, P = 0.019 vs. control group). In the second group, urinary iodine was 38.6 +/- 4.0 microg/liter (mean +/- SE; P < 0.001 vs. control group); urinary iodine in the control group was 76.4 +/- 9.3 microg/liter (mean +/- SE). Our data show that rhTSH, as administered in the protocol stated previously, allows at least the same rate of ablation of thyroid remnants when low doses (30 mCi) of (131)I are used. The possible role of interference of iodine content in L-T4 is not surprising if we consider that the amount of iodine in 30 mCi is negligible (5 microg) compared with the amount of iodine content in a daily dose of T(4) ( approximately 50 microg). The cost of rhTSH seems modest compared with the high cost of complex therapeutic regimens in other areas of oncology and in consideration of the well-being of patients and of the high level of effectiveness of the treatment.     

Prognostic significance of successful ablation with radioiodine of differentiated thyroid cancer patients

OBJECTIVES: Currently, little is known about the prognostic significance of achieving successful ablation with the first dosage of I-131 in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. This study aimed to assess the following: (i) whether successful or unsuccessful ablation at post-ablation follow-up has prognostic consequences; (ii) possible factors predicting success of ablation in a patient. METHODS: In order to do this, we retrospectively studied 180 patients with a median follow-up of 55 months. Ablation was considered to be successful if 1 year after the initial dosage of I-131 patients fulfilled all of the following criteria: not dead from thyroid cancer, no additional therapy needed for any kind for thyroid cancer within the first year, undetectable thyroglobulin (Tg) levels under TSH stimulation, and negative I-131 scintigraphy. Tg levels at the time of ablation (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.04) and distant metastasis (P < 0.001) have a significant influence on the success of ablation. P values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test, respectively. RESULTS: Patients with successful ablation had a better prognosis than those with unsuccessful ablation: disease-free survival was 87% versus 49% after 10 years; additionally, thyroid-cancer related survival was 93% versus 78%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the extent of the remaining normal or neoplastic thyroid tissue influences the outcome of ablation, and that successful ablation leads to a better prognosis. It seems that it is very important to achieve complete ablation as soon as possible in order to ensure the best possible prognosis for a patient.     

Management of low-risk well-differentiated thyroid cancer based only on thyroglobulin measurement after recombinant human thyrotropin.

A multicenter study was undertaken to ascertain prevalence and significance of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH)-stimulated increases in thyroglobulin (Tg) levels in thyroid cancer patients classified to be at low risk for recurrence. Patients were eligible for enrollment if they had undergone near-total or total thyroidectomy and remnant ablation between 1-10 years prior to enrollment and had received thyroxine suppression therapy (THST) with a TSH level of < 0.5 mU/L and Tg level less than or equal to 5 ng/mL within the prior year. Patients with anti-Tg antibodies, distant metastases, or other evidence of residual disease were excluded. Four hundred eighty-six patients were entered into the study, and 300 were considered eligible and comprise the study population. TSH, Tg, and anti-Tg antibody levels were obtained at baseline, followed by intramuscular injection of 0.9 mg of rhTSH on days 1 and 2 and measurement of Tg on day 5. After rhTSH, 53 patients (18%) had elevations in Tg of at least 2 ng/mL, including 33 patients (11%) with increases from baseline of equal to or greater than 5 ng/mL. Patients with an initial advanced stage of disease were more likely to display elevations in Tg after rhTSH. One third of those with stage III disease displayed elevations in Tg of 2 ng/mL or more. Patients within 5 years of thyroidectomy were as likely to display elevations in rhTSH-stimulated Tg as those 5-10 years from surgery. In conclusion, these data suggest rhTSH-stimulated Tg testing without scan may be a useful tool in the follow-up of patients with low-risk thyroid cancer, and may serve to identify patients previously thought free of disease on the basis of undetectable Tg levels while undergoing THST. A strategy is presented for incorporation of this approach into the management of patients with low-risk well-differentiated thyroid cancer.     

Preparation by recombinant human thyrotropin or thyroid hormone withdrawal are comparable for the detection of residual differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Clinical recurrences of differentiated thyroid carcinoma occur in 20% of patients after thyroid surgery. We performed a retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients undergoing routine follow-up testing to detect recurrent thyroid carcinoma over a 2-yr period. One group was prepared for testing by thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW), and the other group remained on thyroid hormone and received injections of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) before diagnostic whole-body radioiodine scanning (DxWBS). We hypothesized that no differences in the ability to detect residual disease would exist between these 2 groups. Two hundred and eighty-nine patients were examined by both DxWBS and by measurement of the serum thyroglobulin (Tg) response to elevated TSH levels. THW was used for 161 patients, and rhTSH preparation was used for 128 patients. Based on all available testing results, we categorized patients as having metastatic disease, thyroid bed uptake only, or no evidence of disease. We examined the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the DxWBS, and the stimulated Tg after preparation by THW or rhTSH. Patients with thyroid bed were not considered in accuracy testing. The sensitivity and specificity of the 2 tests were comparable between groups. No significant differences were present in the positive or negative predictive values between groups. The highest negative predictive value (97%) was in patients who had both a negative DxWBS and low stimulated Tg levels after rhTSH. In summary, we were unable to demonstrate a difference in the diagnostic accuracy of DxWBS and/or Tg between patients prepared by either THW or rhTSH. We conclude that preparing patients by rhTSH is diagnostically equivalent to preparing them by THW.     

Cardiovascular safety of acute recombinant human thyrotropin administration to patients monitored for differentiated thyroid cancer

Eleven patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer and who were on chronic TSH-suppressive therapy with levothyroxine (L-T4), underwent 24-h Holter electrocardiogram and Doppler-echocardiography before and after acute recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) administration for disease staging. The treatment, which was generally well tolerated, did not affect circulating thyroid hormones levels, nor did it have measurable effects on heart rate, rhythm, left ventricular morphology, or systo-diastolic function. Notably, arterial blood pressure tended to be slightly reduced after rhTSH administration, although in no instance did the patients become frankly symptomatic. Our data demonstrate that rhTSH does not alter cardiovascular function acutely. Consequently, it can safely be used in the routine staging of patients affected by differentiated thyroid cancer.     

Radioiodine ablation and therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer under stimulation with recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone

We investigated whether recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) safely and effectively induces uptake of high-dose 131-iodine (131I) to ablate thyroid remnant or treat disease, in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Eleven consecutive patients unable to tolerate thyroid hormone withdrawal received one im injection of 0.9 mg rhTSH on 2 consecutive days before receiving 4000 MBq (approximately 108 mCi) radioiodine orally. Eight patients received one, and 3 patients 2 courses. Our series comprised 7 women and 4 men (mean age, 78 yr, range: 56-87 yr). Ten patients had undergone total or near-total thyroidectomy up to 19 yr earlier. rhTSH-stimulated single course radioiodine with the intention to ablate thyroid remnant was performed in 3 patients, with following estimation of radioiodine uptake and TG measurements. Of another 8 patients given this treatment palliatively, 5 had radiological, clinical and/or laboratory response, including: 80% decreased pathological uptake between treatment courses; pronounced decrease in bone pain; diminished symptoms; improved physical condition and quality of life; lower serum TG concentration; and/or normalization of TG recovery test. Two patients with small lung metastases on computed tomography had no detectable radioiodine uptake or other response; they also lacked uptake after withdrawal-stimulated radioiodine treatment. Despite being elderly and frail, patients generally tolerated treatment well; rhTSH caused nausea in one patient and transiently increased pain in bone and soft tissue lesions in another. We conclude that rhTSH-stimulated high-dose radioiodine for remnant ablation or tumor treatment is safe, feasible and seemingly effective, enhancing quality of life and offering reasonable palliation in patients with advanced disease.     

Lack of efficacy of recombinant human thyrotropin versus thyroid hormone withdrawal for radioiodine therapy imaging in a patient with differentiated thyroid carcinoma lung metastases.

The treatment of lung metastases of thyroid cancer is nearly exclusively limited to the administration of iodine-131. For patients presented with micronodular lesions, the therapeutic response is often excellent, increasing life expectancy. Because of the necessity of multiple iodine-131 treatments in the course of this therapy, and subsequently, the lack of tolerance of hormonal withdrawal, the use of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) as a method of stimulation could represent an interesting alternative. However, as in the present case, the stimulation by rhTSH can be less effective than hormonal withdrawal, as shown in the posttherapy scan to detect metastatic lesions and thus could be detrimental to the treatment efficiency.