Impact of combined (18)F-FDG PET/CT in head and neck tumours

To compare the interobserver agreement and degree of confidence in anatomical localisation of lesions using 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and (18)F-FDG PET alone in patients with head and neck tumours. A prospective study of 24 patients (16 male, eight female, median age 59 years) with head and neck tumours was undertaken. (18)F-FDG PET/CT was performed for staging purposes. 2D images were acquired over the head and neck area using a GE Discovery LS PET/CT scanner. (18)F-FDG PET images were interpreted by three independent observers. The observers were asked to localise abnormal (18)F-FDG activity to an anatomical territory and score the degree of confidence in localisation on a scale from 1 to 3 (1=exact region unknown; 2=probable; 3=definite). For all (18)F-FDG-avid lesions, standardised uptake values (SUVs) were also calculated. After 3 weeks, the same exercise was carried out using (18)F-FDG PET/CT images, where CT and fused volume data were made available to observers. The degree of interobserver agreement was measured in both instances. A total of six primary lesions with abnormal (18)F-FDG uptake (SUV range 7.2-22) were identified on (18)F-FDG PET alone and on (18)F-FDG PET/CT. In all, 15 nonprimary tumour sites were identified with (18)F-FDG PET only (SUV range 4.5-11.7), while 17 were identified on (18)F-FDG PET/CT. Using (18)F-FDG PET only, correct localisation was documented in three of six primary lesions, while (18)F-FDG PET/CT correctly identified all primary sites. In nonprimary tumour sites, (18)F-FDG PET/CT improved the degree of confidence in anatomical localisation by 51%. Interobserver agreement in assigning primary and nonprimary lesions to anatomical territories was moderate using (18)F-FDG PET alone (kappa coefficients of 0.45 and 0.54, respectively), but almost perfect with (18)F-FDG PET/CT (kappa coefficients of 0.90 and 0.93, respectively). We conclude that (18)F-FDG PET/CT significantly increases interobserver agreement and confidence in disease localisation of (18)F-FDG-avid lesions in patients with head and neck cancers.     

贝伐珠单抗联合FOLFOX或FOLFIRI方案治疗转移性结直肠癌的临床研究

目的 观察贝伐珠单抗联合FOLFOX或FOLFIRI方案用于转移性结直肠癌一线及二线治疗的临床疗效和毒副反应。方法 回顾性分析2005年11月至2012年8月接受贝伐珠单抗联合FOLFOX或FOLFIRI方案作为一线及二线治疗的57例转移性结直肠癌患者的临床资料。采用RECIST 1.1版评价疗效,用NCI-CTC 3.0版评价不良反应,用Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析。结果 57例结直肠癌患者中,19例（33.3％）获PR,28例（49.2％）获SD,有效率（RR）为33.3％,疾病控制率（DCR）为82.5％。贝伐珠单抗联合化疗用于一线与二线治疗患者的RR或DCR差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;贝伐珠单抗联合FOLFOX方案与FOLFIRI方案的RR或DCR差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。57例患者的无进展生存期（PFS）及总生存期（OS）分别为8.83个月及14.80个月。一线与二线治疗及贝伐珠单抗联合FOLFOX方案与FOLFIRI方案的中位PFS或OS差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。主要不良反应包括白细胞减少、血小板减少及恶心呕吐。贝伐珠单抗相关的不良反应主要包括高血压3例,蛋白尿1例,鼻衄2例,均为1～2级,药物可以控制。结论 贝伐珠单抗联合化疗治疗转移性结直肠癌能够提高治疗疗效,不良反应可以耐受。     

18F]FDG and [18F]FLT uptake in human breast cancer cells in relation to the effects of chemotherapy: an in vitro study

Increased 2'-deoxy-2'-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) uptake is the most commonly used marker for positron emission tomography in oncology. However, a proliferation tracer such as 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine (FLT) might be more specific for cancer. 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine uptake is dependent on thymidine kinase 1 (TK) activity, but the effects of chemotherapeutic agents are unknown. The aim of this study was to characterise FDG and FLT uptake mechanisms in vitro before and after exposure to chemotherapeutic agents. The effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), doxorubicin and paclitaxel on FDG and FLT uptake were measured in MDA MB231 human breast cancer cells in relation to cell cycle distribution, expression and enzyme activity of TK-1. At IC50 concentrations, 5-FU resulted in accumulation in the G1 phase, but doxorubicin and paclitaxel induced a G2/M accumulation. Compared with untreated cells, 5-FU and doxorubicin increased TK-1 levels by >300. At 72 h, 5-FU decreased FDG uptake by 50% and FLT uptake by 54%, whereas doxorubicin increased FDG and FLT uptake by 71 and 173%, respectively. Paclitaxel increased FDG uptake with >100% after 48 h, whereas FLT uptake hardly changed. In conclusion, various chemotherapeutic agents, commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer, have different effects on the time course of uptake of both FDG and FLT in vitro. This might have implications for interpretation of clinical findings.     

Phase I trial of axitinib combined with platinum doublets in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumours

Background:

This phase I dose-finding trial evaluated safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of axitinib, a potent and selective second-generation inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, combined with platinum doublets in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other solid tumours.

Methods:

In all, 49 patients received axitinib 5 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) with paclitaxel/carboplatin or gemcitabine/cisplatin in 3-week cycles. Following determination of the maximum tolerated dose, a squamous cell NSCLC expansion cohort was enroled and received axitinib 5 mg b.i.d. with paclitaxel/carboplatin.

Results:

Two patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities: febrile neutropenia (n=1) in the paclitaxel/carboplatin cohort and fatigue (n=1) in the gemcitabine/cisplatin cohort. Common nonhaematologic treatment-related adverse events were hypertension (36.7%), diarrhoea (34.7%) and fatigue (28.6%). No grade⩾3 haemoptysis occurred among 12 patients with squamous cell NSCLC. The objective response rate was 37.0% for patients receiving axitinib/paclitaxel/carboplatin (n=27) and 23.8% for patients receiving axitinib/gemcitabine/cisplatin (n=21). Pharmacokinetics of axitinib and chemotherapeutic agents were similar when administered alone or in combination.

Conclusion:

Axitinib 5 mg b.i.d. may be combined with standard paclitaxel/carboplatin or gemcitabine/cisplatin regimens without evidence of overt drug–drug interactions. Both combinations demonstrated clinical efficacy and were well tolerated.     

Phase I study of axitinib combined with paclitaxel,docetaxel or capecitabine in patients with advanced solid tumours

Background:

Axitinib, a potent and selective second-generation inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapy in human xenograft tumour models. This phase I study investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and antitumour activity of axitinib combined with chemotherapy.

Methods:

A total of 42 patients with advanced solid tumours received a continuous axitinib starting dose of 5 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) plus paclitaxel (90 mg m^–2 weekly), docetaxel (100 mg m^–2 every 3 weeks) or capecitabine (1000 or 1250 mg m^–2 b.i.d., days 1–14).

Results:

Common treatment-related adverse events across all cohorts were nausea (45.2%), hypertension (45.2%), fatigue (42.9%), diarrhoea (38.1%), decreased appetite (33.3%) and hand–foot syndrome (31.0%). There was one complete response, nine partial responses and seven patients with stable disease. Ten patients (23.8%) remained on therapy for >8 months. Paclitaxel and capecitabine pharmacokinetics were similar in the absence or presence of axitinib, but docetaxel exposure was increased in the presence of axitinib. Axitinib pharmacokinetics were similar in the absence or presence of co-administered agents.

Conclusions:

Axitinib combined with paclitaxel or capecitabine was well tolerated; no additive increase in toxicities was observed. Antitumour activity was observed for each treatment regimen and across multiple tumour types.     

重组人血管内皮抑制素联合化疗一线治疗晚期转移性结直肠癌的疗效观察

目的:探讨重组人血管内皮抑制素（恩度）联合化疗一线治疗晚期转移性结直肠癌的疗效及安全性。方法:60例晚期转移性结直肠癌分为试验组（n=30）和对照组（n=30）,对照组采用FOLFOX4化疗方案,试验组采用恩度联合FOLFOX4方案。结果:试验组和对照组获得的有效率（RR）分别为53.3%和36.7%（P<0.05）,疾病控制率（DCR）为83.3%和73.3%（P<0.05）,两组患者的中位无进展生存期（PFS）分别为7.3个月和5.3个月（P<0.05）,中位总生存时间（OS）分别为11.6个月和9.3个月（P<0.05）。对其中的27例肝转移患者进行亚组分析,试验组和对照组RR及DCR比较差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）,但是PFS及OS无统计学意义（P>0.05）。主要不良反应为血液学毒性、消化道反应、神经毒性等,多为I-II级。两组患者经化疗后QOL均得到较大程度的改善;与治疗前相比,治疗后CEA和CA199均显著下降,且治疗后试验组下降较对照组更明显（P<0.05）。结论:恩度联合化疗一线治疗晚期转移性结直肠癌安全有效。     

Performance of 18F-FET versus 18F-FDG-PET for the diagnosis and grading of brain tumors: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

For the past decade ¹⁸F-fluoro-ethyl-l-tyrosine (FET) and ¹⁸F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) have been used for the assessment of patients with brain tumor. However, direct comparison studies reported only limited numbers of patients. Our purpose was to compare the diagnostic performance of FET and FDG-PET.

Methods

We examined studies published between January 1995 and January 2015 in the PubMed database. To be included the study should: (i) use FET and FDG-PET for the assessment of patients with isolated brain lesion and (ii) use histology as the gold standard. Analysis was performed on a per patient basis. Study quality was assessed with STARD and QUADAS criteria.

Results

Five studies (119 patients) were included. For the diagnosis of brain tumor, FET-PET demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.79–0.98) and pooled specificity of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.37–0.99), with an area under the curve of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.94–0.97), a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 8.1 (95% CI: 0.8–80.6), and a negative likelihood ratio (LR−) of 0.07 (95% CI: 0.02–0.30), while FDG-PET demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.38 (95% CI: 0.27–0.50) and specificity of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.31–0.99), with an area under the curve of 0.40 (95% CI: 0.36–0.44), an LR+ of 2.7 (95% CI: 0.3–27.8), and an LR– of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.47–1.11). Target-to-background ratios of either FDG or FET, however, allow distinction between low- and high-grade gliomas (P > .11).

Conclusions

For brain tumor diagnosis, FET-PET performed much better than FDG and should be preferred when assessing a new isolated brain tumor. For glioma grading, however, both tracers showed similar performances.     

Effects of platinum/taxane based chemotherapy on acute perfusion in human pelvic tumours measured by dynamic MRI

Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) is being used increasingly in clinical trials to demonstrate that vascular disruptive and antiangiogenic agents target tumour microcirculation. Significant reductions in DCE-MRI kinetic parameters are seen within 4-24 and 48 h of treatment with vascular disruptive and antiangiogenic agents, respectively. It is important to know whether cytotoxic agents also cause significant acute reductions in these parameters, for reliable interpretation of results. This study investigated changes in transfer constant (K(trans)) and the initial area under the gadolinium curve (IAUGC) following the first dose of chemotherapy in patients with mostly gynaecological tumours. A reproducibility analysis on 20 patients (using two scans performed on consecutive days) was used to determine the significance of DCE-MRI parameter changes 24 h after chemotherapy in 18 patients. In 11 patients who received platinum alone or with a taxane, there were no significant changes in K(trans) or IAUGC in either group or individual patient analyses. When the remaining seven patients (treated with a variety of agents including platinum and taxanes) were included (n=18), there were also no significant changes in K(trans). Therefore, if combination therapy does show changes in DCE-MRI parameters then the effects can be attributed to antivascular therapy rather than chemotherapy.     

Quantitative techniques in 18FDG PET scanning in oncology

The clinical applications of (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ((18)FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in oncology are becoming established. While simple static scanning techniques are used for the majority of routine clinical examinations, increasing use of PET in clinical trials to monitor treatment response with (18)FDG and novel tracers reflecting different pharmacodynamic end points, often necessitates a more complex and quantitative analysis of radiopharmaceutical kinetics. A wide range of PET analysis techniques exist, ranging from simple visual analysis and semiquantitative methods to full dynamic studies with kinetic analysis. These methods are discussed, focusing particularly on the available methodologies that can be utilised in clinical trials.     

Reproducibility of intratumor distribution of (18)F-fluoromisonidazole in head and neck cancer

PURPOSE: Hypoxia is one of the main causes of the failure to achieve local control using radiotherapy. This is due to the increased radioresistance of hypoxic cells. (18)F-fluoromisonidazole ((18)F-FMISO) positron emission tomography (PET) is a noninvasive imaging technique that can assist in the identification of intratumor regions of hypoxia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of (18)F-FMISO intratumor distribution using two pretreatment PET scans. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We enrolled 20 head and neck cancer patients in this study. Of these, 6 were excluded from the analysis for technical reasons. All patients underwent an (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose study, followed by two (18)F-FMISO studies 3 days apart. The hypoxic volumes were delineated according to a tumor/blood ratio >or=1.2. The (18)F-FMISO tracer distributions from the two (18)F-FMISO studies were co-registered on a voxel-by-voxel basis using the computed tomography images from the PET/computed tomography examinations. A correlation between the (18)F-FMISO intensities of the corresponding spatial voxels was derived. RESULTS: A voxel-by-voxel analysis of the (18)F-FMISO distributions in the entire tumor volume showed a strong correlation in 71% of the patients. Restraining the correlation to putatively hypoxic zones reduced the number of patients exhibiting a strong correlation to 46%. CONCLUSION: Variability in spatial uptake can occur between repeat (18)F-FMISO PET scans in patients with head and neck cancer. Blood data for one patient was not available. Of 13 patients, 6 had well-correlated intratumor distributions of (18)F-FMISO-suggestive of chronic hypoxia. More work is required to identify the underlying causes of changes in intratumor distribution before single-time-point (18)F-FMISO PET images can be used as the basis of hypoxia-targeting intensity-modulated radiotherapy.     

[18F]-fluoro-ethyl-l-tyrosine PET: a valuable diagnostic tool in neuro-oncology,but not all that glitters is glioma

Background

To assess the sensitivity and specificity of [¹⁸F]-fluoro-ethyl-l-tyrosine (¹⁸F-FET) PET in brain tumors and various non-neoplastic neurologic diseases.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated ¹⁸F-FET PET scans from 393 patients grouped into 6 disease categories according to histology (n = 299) or distinct MRI findings (n = 94) (low-grade/high-grade glial/nonglial brain tumors, inflammatory lesions, and other lesions). ¹⁸F-FET PET was visually assessed as positive or negative. Maximum lesion-to-brain ratios (LBRs) were calculated and compared with MRI contrast enhancement (CE), which was graded visually on a 3-point scale (no/moderate/intense).

Results

Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of brain tumor were 87% and 68%, respectively. Significant differences in LBRs were detected between high-grade brain tumors (LBR, 2.04 ± 0.72) and low-grade brain tumors (LBR, 1.52 ± 0.70; P < .001), as well as among inflammatory (LBR, 1.66 ± 0.33; P = .056) and other brain lesions (LBR, 1.10 ± 0.37; P < .001). Gliomas (n = 236) showed ¹⁸F-FET uptake in 80% of World Health Organization (WHO) grade I, 79% of grade II, 92% of grade III, and 100% of grade IV tumors. Low-grade oligodendrogliomas, WHO grade II, had significantly higher ¹⁸F-FET uptakes than astrocytomas grades II and III (P = .018 and P = .015, respectively). ¹⁸F-FET uptake showed a strong association with CE on MRI (P < .001) and was also positive in 52% of 157 nonglial brain tumors and nonneoplastic brain lesions.

Conclusions

¹⁸F-FET PET has a high sensitivity for the detection of high-grade brain tumors. Its specificity, however, is limited by passive tracer influx through a disrupted blood–brain barrier and ¹⁸F-FET uptake in nonneoplastic brain lesions. Gliomas show specific tracer uptake in the absence of CE on MRI, which most likely reflects biologically active tumor.     

A retrospective observational study on the safety and efficacy of first-line treatment with bevacizumab combined with FOLFIRI in metastatic colorectal cancer

Background:

Combination of bevacizumab and FOLFIRI has currently become one of the standard therapeutic regimens. However, published information is still limited. The objective of the present retrospective observational study is to analyse the response and toxicity of first-line treatment with FOLFIRI+bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Methods:

Data were collected from patients from nine Spanish sites diagnosed with mCRC, ECOG⩽2, whose first treatment for advanced disease was at least three cycles of FOLFIRI+bevacizumab.

Results:

A total of 95 patients were enrolled into the study: 64.2% males, median age of 59 years (53.2–67.1 years), ECOG=0–1 in 96.9% of patients. The main site of primary tumour was the colon (69.7%), and most metastases occurred in the liver (71.6%). Clinical benefit was detected in 67.4% (57.0–76.6; 95% confidence interval (CI)), with 8.4% of CR and 42.1% of PR. Median TTP was 10.6 months (10.0–11.3; 95% CI), PFS was 10.6 months (9.8–11.3; 95% CI), and OS was 20.7 months (17.1–24.2; 95% CI). Main grade I–II toxicities included haematological toxicity (35.8%), diarrhea (27.3%), mucositis (25.3%), asthenia (19.0%), haemorrhages (11.6%), and emesis (10.6%). Toxicities reaching grades III–IV were haematological toxicity (9.5%), diarrhea (8.5%), mucositis (5.3%), hepatic toxicity (2.1%), asthenia (2.1%), proteinuria (1.1%), emesis (1.1%), pain (1.1%), and colics (1.1%).

Conclusion:

Results of this study support the beneficial effect of adding bevacizumab to FOLFIRI regimen in terms of efficacy and show a favourable tolerability profile.     

Comparison of visual and semiquantitative analysis of 18F-FDOPA-PET/CT for recurrence detection in glioblastoma patients

Background

Amino acid transport imaging with ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET is increasingly used for detection of glioblastoma recurrence. However, a standardized image interpretation for ¹⁸F-FDOPA brain PET studies has not yet been established. This study compares visual and semiquantitative analysis parameters for detection of tumor recurrence and correlates them with progression-free survival (PFS).

Methods

One-hundred ten patients (72 male:38 female) with suspected tumor recurrence who underwent ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET imaging were studied. PET scans were analyzed visually (5-point scale) and semiquantitatively (lesion-to-striatum- and lesion- to-normal-brain-tissue ratios using both SUV_mean and SUV_max). Accuracies for recurrence detection were calculated using histopathology and clinical follow-up for validation. Receiving operator characteristic and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed to derive imaging-based prediction of PFS and overall survival (OS).

Results

Accuracies for detection of glioblastoma recurrence were similar for visual (82%) and semiquantitative (range, 77%–82%) analysis. Both visual and semiquantitative indices were significant predictors of PFS, with mean lesion-to normal brain tissue ratios providing the best discriminator (mean survival, 39.4 vs 9.3 months; P < .001). None of the investigated parameters was predictive for OS.

Conclusions

Both visual and semiquantitative indices detected glioblastoma recurrence with high accuracy and were predictive for PFS. Lesion-to-normal-tissue ratios were the best discriminators of PFS; however, none of the investigated parameters predicted OS. These retrospectively established analysis parameters need to be confirmed prospectively.     

Evaluation of radiographic and metabolic changes in bone metastases in response to systemic therapy with 18FDG-PET/CT

Background.

The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate radiographic and metabolic changes in bone metastases in response to systemic therapy with ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT and determine their roles on the evaluation of therapy response.

Patients and methods.

We retrospectively evaluated radiographic and metabolic characteristics of bone metastases in 30 patients who were referred for the evaluation of response to systemic therapy with ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT. All patients underwent integrated ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT before and after treatment.

Results.

The baseline radiographic patterns of the target lesions in responders group were lytic, sclerotic, mixed and CT negative; after treatment the radiographic patterns of all target lesions changed to a sclerotic pattern and attenuation increased (p = 0.012) and metabolic activity decreased (p = 0.012). A correlation was found between decreasing metabolic activity and increasing attenuation of the target lesions (r = −0.55) (p = 0.026). However, in nonresponders group, the baseline radiologic patterns of the target lesions were lytic, blastic, mixed and CT negative; after treatment all lytic target lesions remained the same and one CT negative lesion turned to lytic pattern and the attenuation of the target lesions decreased (p ± 0.12) and metabolic activity increased (p = 0.012). A correlation was found between increasing metabolic activity and decreasing attenuation (r = −0.65) (p = 0.032). An exception of this rule was seen in baseline blastic metastases which progressed with increasing in size, metabolic activity and attenuation.

Conclusions.

This study shows that the metabolic activity of lesions is a more reliable parameter than the radiographic patterns for the evaluation of therapy response.     

Role of (18)F-choline PET/CT in evaluation of patients with prostate carcinoma

Background

Choline presents a high affinity for malignant prostate tissue. It can be labelled with positron emitting ¹⁸F, and used for the evaluation of patients with prostate carcinoma by PET/CT imaging. The aim of this paper is to summarise our experience with fluoromethylcholine (¹⁸F-choline) PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer.

Methods

In 4 months we investigated the patients with histopathological (or cytological) confirmed prostate cancer. Two observers evaluated the early and late ¹⁸F-choline PET images in correlation with corresponding localising CT images and using the semiquantitative standard uptake value (SUV) calculation.

Results

The ¹⁸F-choline PET/CT was made in 50 patients with prostate cancer. There were 18 patients after radical prostatectomy and 32 without surgery. In all patients without surgery the pathological uptake was seen in the prostate. In 14 (44 %) patients of this group there was evidence of metastatic spread in local or distant lymph nodes and/or bones. In out of 18 patients after radical prostatectomy the local recurrence was detected in 6 patients (33%) and distant metastases were present in 2 patients (10%).

Conclusions

¹⁸F-choline PET/CT seems to be useful imaging modality in patients with prostate carcinoma; it can demonstrate spread of the disease preoperatively and detect the local recurrence after radical prostatectomy.     

KRAS as a predictor of poor prognosis and benefit from postoperative FOLFOX chemotherapy in patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer

Purpose

The KRAS gene frequently mutates in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we investigated the prognostic and predictive role of KRAS mutation in patients with stage II or III CRC.

Experimental design

A consecutive cohort of patients with stage II or III CRC from a single center database was studied. The association between KRAS status, adjuvant FOLFOX therapy, and 3‐year disease‐free survival (3‐y DFS) was analyzed.

Results

Of our 433 patients, 166 (38.3%) exhibited the KRAS mutation. Among the 190 patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy, those with KRAS mutation tumors had a worse 3‐y DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.924; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.078–3.435; P = 0.027). Among patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, KRAS mutation was not correlated with worse 3‐y DFS (HR, 1.083; 95% CI, 0.618–1.899; P = 0.781). Adjuvant chemotherapy improved 3‐y DFS only among patients with KRAS mutant tumors (78.0% vs 69.2%) on multivariate analysis adjusted for age, stage, grade, site, vessel invasion, and carcinoembryonic antigen level (HR, 0.454; 95% CI, 0.229–0.901; P = 0.024). In contrast, there was no benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in the KRAS wild‐type group (84.3% vs 82.0%).

Conclusions

KRAS mutation indicates poor prognosis. FOLFOX adjuvant chemotherapy benefits patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer with KRAS mutant tumors and is worth further investigation.     

新海能注射液联合化疗治疗晚期胃肠道肿瘤临床观察

目的探讨新海能注射液在辅助晚期胃肠道肿瘤患者化疗中的作用及临床意义。方法将104例晚期胃肠道肿瘤患者随机分为治疗组(53例)和对照组(51例)。治疗组采用新海能注射液联合FOLFOX4方案治疗;对照组为同期FOLFOX4方案联合10%葡萄糖注射液患者,对比两组在近期疗效、生活质量、免疫指标、毒副作用、血液生化指标等方面的不同。结果FOLFOX4联合新海能注射液治疗方案治疗晚期胃肠道肿瘤疗效确切,血液学毒性反应、胃肠反应、神经毒性以及脱发等副作用均显著低于单纯FOLFOX4方案治疗组,患者的生活质量明显改善,治疗耐受能力增强,机体免疫力提高。结论FOLFOX4化疗方案联合新海能注射液治疗晚期胃肠道肿瘤,能改善患者生活质量,降低化疗期间的毒副作用,提高免疫力,可使患者病情进展延缓。     

89Zr-cetuximab PET imaging in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are used in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (mCRC). Approximately 50% of patients benefit despite patient selection for RAS wild type (wt) tumors. Based on the hypothesis that tumor targeting is required for clinical benefit of anti-EGFR treatment, biodistribution and tumor uptake of ⁸⁹Zr-cetuximab by Positron Emission Tomography (PET), combining the sensitivity of PET with the specificity of cetuximab for EGFR was evaluated. Ten patients with wt K-RAS mCRC received 37 ± 1 MBq ⁸⁹Zr-cetuximab directly (<2 h) after the first therapeutic dose of cetuximab. PET-scans were performed from 1 hour to 10 days post injection (p.i.). Biodistribution was determined for blood and organs. Uptake in tumor lesions was quantified by Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) and related to response. In 6 of 10 patients ⁸⁹Zr-cetuximab uptake in tumor lesions was detected. Four of 6 patients with ⁸⁹Zr-cetuximab uptake had clinical benefit, while progressive disease was observed in 3 of 4 patients without ⁸⁹Zr-cetuximab uptake. Taken together, tumor uptake of ⁸⁹Zr-cetuximab can be visualized by PET imaging. The strong relation between uptake and response warrants further clinical validation as an innovative selection method for cetuximab treatment in patients with wt RAS mCRC.     

The role of Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in staging and restaging of patients with osteosarcoma

Background

The objective of this study is to systematically review the role of positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) with Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in patients with osteosarcoma (OS).

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of published studies through October 10^th, 2012 in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases regarding whole-body FDG-PET and FDG-PET/CT in patients with OS was performed.

Results

We identified 13 studies including 289 patients with OS. With regard to the staging and restaging of OS, the diagnostic performance of FDG-PET and PET/CT seem to be high; FDG-PET and PET/CT seem to be superior to bone scintigraphy and conventional imaging methods in detecting bone metastases; conversely, spiral CT seems to be superior to FDG-PET in detecting pulmonary metastases from OS

Conclusions

Metabolic imaging may provide additional information in the evaluation of OS patients. The combination of FDG-PET or FDG-PET/CT with conventional imaging methods seems to be a valuable tool in the staging and restaging of OS and may have a relevant impact on the treatment planning.     

First-line panitumumab plus FOLFOX4 or FOLFIRI in colorectal cancer with multiple or unresectable liver metastases: A randomised,phase II trial (PLANET-TTD)

BackgroundIn first-line wild-type (WT)-Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), panitumumab (Pmab) improves outcomes when added to FOLFOX [folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin] or FOLFIRI [folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan]. However no trial has directly compared these combinations.MethodsMulticentre, open-label study in untreated patients ≥ 18 years with (WT)-KRAS mCRC and multiple or unresectable liver-limited disease (LLD) randomised to either Pmab-FOLFOX4 or Pmab-FOLFIRI. The primary end-point was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary end-points included liver metastases resection rate (R0 + R1), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), adverse events and perioperative safety. Exploratory end-points were: response by RAS status, early tumour shrinkage (ETS) and depth of response (DpR) in WT-RAS patients.ResultsData on 77 patients were analysed (38 Pmab-FOLFOX4; 39 Pmab-FOLFIRI; WT-RAS: 27/26, respectively). ORR was 74% with Pmab-FOLFOX4 and 67% with Pmab-FOLFIRI (WT-RAS: 78%/73%). Out of the above, 45% and 59% underwent surgical resection, respectively (WT-RAS: 37%/69%). The R0-R1 resection rate was 34%/46% (WT-RAS:26%/54%). Median PFS was 13/14 months (hazard ratio [HR] Pmab-FOLFIRI versus Pmab-FOLFOX4: 0.9; 95% confidence interval: [0.6–1.5]; WT-RAS:13/15; HR: 0.7 [0.4–1.3]). Median OS was 37/41 months (HR:1.0 [0.6–1.8]; WT-RAS: 39/49; HR:0.9 [0.4–1.9]). In WT-RAS patients with confirmed response, median DpR was 71%/66%, and 65%/77% of patients showed ETS ≥ 30%/ ≥ 20% at week 8, without significant differences between arms; these patients had longer median PFS and OS and higher resectability rates. Surgery was associated with longer survival. Perioperative and overall safety were similar, except for higher grade 3/4 neutropenia (40%/10%; p = 0.003) and neuropathy (13%/0%; p = 0.025) in the Pmab-FOLFOX4 arm.ConclusionsIn patients with WT-KRAS mCRC and LLD, both first-line Pmab-FOLFOX4 and Pmab-FOLFIRI resulted in high ORR and ETS, allowing potentially curative resection. No significant differences in efficacy were observed between the two regimens.(clinicaltrials.gov:NCT00885885).