Standardised FDG uptake: a prognostic factor for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between standardised uptake value (SUV) obtained from [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) and treatment response/survival of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with high dose radiotherapy. Fifty-one patients were included recording stage, performance, weight loss, tumour volume, histology, lymph node involvement, SUV, and delivered radiation dose. The maximum SUV (SUV(max)) within the primary tumour was a sensitive and specific factor for predicting treatment response. Apart from SUV(max), stage and performance were also independent predictive factors for treatment response. In a multivariate disease-specific survival (DSS) analysis, SUV(max) (P = 0.01), performance status (P = 0.008) and stage (P = 0.04) were prognostic factors. For overall survival (OS), SUV(max) (P = 0.001) and performance (P = 0.06) were important prognostic factors. SUV(max) was an important prognostic factor for survival of inoperable NSCLC patients and a predictive factor for treatment response. Although the number of patients was small, the treatment was not homogeneous and the use of FDG SUV may have had constraints, we still conclude that the FDG SUV is potentially a good indicator for selecting patients for different treatment strategies.     

Different histopathological subtypes of Hodgkin lymphoma show significantly different levels of FDG uptake

Positron emission tomography using 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET) enables quantitative analysis of metabolic activity. This study investigated standardized uptake value (SUV) levels in the different histopathological subtypes of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Sixty patients with newly diagnosed HL underwent staging FDG-PET/CT after lymph node biopsy. Maximum SUV in each patient (SUV(max/total)) and in each affected region or organ (SUV(max)) were recorded. Mean SUV(max/total) was 9.3 g/ml in seven nodular lymphocyte predominance (NLP) patients, 16.3 g/ml in 38 nodular sclerosis (NS) patients, 20.8 g/ml in 11 mixed cellularity (MC) patients, and 19.5 g/ml in four patients with unclassified classical HL (CHL-NOS), (ANOVA, p = 0.011). Out of 780 sites (600 lymph node regions plus 180 organs), 208 sites were found to be affected with HL. Mean SUV(max) was 8.3 g/ml in the 12 sites with NLP, 11.2 g/ml in the 147 sites affected with NS, 14.6 g/ml in the 36 sites with MC, and 13.1 g/ml in the 13 sites with CHL-NOS (ANOVA, p = 0.002). There is a significant difference in FDG/glucose uptake between the different histopathological subtypes of HL.     

Prognostic Value of 18F-FDG Standard Uptake Value by Integrated PET/CT in the Staging of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive tumor with generally disappointing results in terms of survival, however, there are occasional long-term survivors probably due to the biologic characteristics of the disease. Standard uptake value (SUV) of [(18)F] Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) evaluated by photon emission tomography (PET) is now widely accepted as an indicator of biologic behavior in several malignancies. The aim of this study was to verify whether SUV(max) and SUV(mean) are inversely associated with the prognosis of patients with MPM and whether there was a correlation between grading/disease stage and SUV value. Patients with histologically proven MPM underwent integrated PET and computed tomography (CT) scanning. Patients fasted and received 5.18?MBq of FDG per kilogram of body weight. Based on the maximum Chi-Square method, a SUV(max) of 4.21 (range: 2.30-14.74) and a SUV(mean) of 2.78 (range: 1.80-7.00) were used to classify patients as having a good or poor prognosis, respectively. From January 2004 to March 2010, 27 patients were analyzed: median age was 65 years (range: 54-77) and histologic MPM subtypes were epithelioid (23 patients) and biphasic (4 patients). At a median follow-up of 23 months (range: 1-52), there was no difference in median survival for either high or low SUV(max) [26 months (range: 11-not reached) vs.19 months (range: 12-not reached); p?5?0.811] or for high or low SUV(mean) [26 months (range: 8-not reached) vs.19 months (range: 11-not reached); p?5?0.831]. High SUV(max) (p?5?0.018) was statistically correlated with high-stage disease. There was only a trend towards statistical significance between high-grade disease and high SUV(mean) (p?5?0.083); no such trend was found between advanced stages and SUV(max) (p?5?0.268). We observed a significant correlation only between high SUV(max) and high-grade disease. No other relationships between SUV(max) and SUV(mean) with biologic and clinical parameters were found. This is probably due to the patient characteristics and to the non-routine use of 18F-FDG PET/CT to stage rare tumors such as MPM.     

IFN-alpha-stimulated genes and Epstein-Barr virus gene expression distinguish WHO type II and III nasopharyngeal carcinomas

Nonkeratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is 100% associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and divided into two subtypes (WHO types II and III) based on histology. We tested whether these subtypes can be distinguished at the molecular genetic level using an algorithm that analyzes sets of related genes (gene set enrichment analysis). We found that a class of IFN-stimulated genes (ISG), frequently associated with the antiviral response, was significantly activated in type III versus type II NPC. Consistent with this, replication of the endogenous EBV was suppressed in type III. A strong association was also seen with a subset of ISGs previously identified in systemic lupus erythematosus, another disease in which 'normal' EBV biology is deregulated, suggesting that this pattern of ISG expression may be linked to the increased EBV activity in both diseases. In contrast, unsupervised hierarchical clustering of the complete expression profiles failed to distinguish the two subsets. These results suggest that type II and III NPC have not originated from obviously distinct epithelial precursors; rather, the histologic differences may be a consequence of a differential antiviral response, involving IFNs, to chronic EBV infection.     

Frequency of Epstein Barr Virus Type 1 Among Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas in Iranian Patients

Background: Around 95% of the world’s population are infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which can persist latent in B lymphocytes and epithelial cells life-long. EBV has been linked with lymphoid and epithelial cancers and persistence of EBV infection in lymphoid or epithelial cells may result in virus-associated B-cell tumors or nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC). This study was conducted to determine the frequency of EBV DNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue of Iranian patients. Materials and methods: A total of 50 blocks of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue of NPCs from 38 (76 %) male and 12 (24%) female patients were collected from archives of Ahvaz hospitals. Sections were cut at 5 μm and DNA was extracted for detection of EBV DNA and EBV typing by mested PCR. DNA sequencing was performed to confirm PCR results. The distribution of EBV DNA was compared among WHO histological subtypes of NPC. Results: Some 3 female and 11 (22%) male NPC samples showed positive for EBV DNA type 1, 2/14(22.2%)WHO histological type II and 12/41(29.3%) WHO histological type III. Conclusions: The frequency of EBV DNA among NPCs in Iranian patients was found to be 28%, EBV type I predominating. Both WHO histological type II and III NPC subtypes demonstrated approximately the same detection prevalence.     

The standardized uptake value for F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose is a sensitive predictive biomarker for cervical cancer treatment response and survival

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate cervical tumor uptake of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) measured as the maximal standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) by positron emission tomography (PET) and its association with treatment response and prognosis in patients with cervical cancer. METHODS: The study population consisted of 287 patients with stage IA2 through IVB cervical cancer who underwent pretreatment FDG-PET studies. SUV(max), tumor volume, and sites of lymph node metastasis were recorded. Therapy included surgery, chemoradiation, or palliation. RESULTS: The mean SUV(max) was 11.4 (range, 1-50.4). The mean tumor volume by stage was 42.1 cm(3) for stage I tumors (using International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] staging criteria), 63.7 cm(3) for stage II tumors, 129.2 cm(3) for stage III tumors, and 166.2 cm(3) for stage IV tumors. There was no correlation between tumor volume and SUV(max) (correlation coefficient [R(2)] = 0.01). No significant difference in SUV(max) was observed between squamous histology (n = 247 patients) and nonsquamous histology (n = 40 patients; P = .089). Higher SUV(max) was associated with an increased risk of lymph node metastasis at diagnosis (P = .0009). A Cox proportional-hazards model for death from cervical cancer was used to evaluate tumor histology, lymph node metastasis, tumor volume, and SUV(max). The results indicated that SUV(max) was the only significant independent factor (P = .0027). Three prognostic groups were established using SUV(max). The overall survival rates at 5 years were 95% for an SUV(max) 5.2 and 13.3 (P < .0001). Increasing SUV(max) was associated with persistent abnormal FDG uptake in the cervix on 3-month FDG-PET studies in 238 patients who received curative chemoradiation (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: The SUV(max) of the cervical tumor at diagnosis was a sensitive biomarker of treatment response and prognosis for patients with cervical cancer.     

Relationship between pretreatment level of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA, tumor burden, and metabolic activity in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE: Plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA (pEBV DNA) is an important prognostic marker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study tested the hypotheses that pEBV DNA reflects tumor burden and metabolic activity by evaluating its relationship with tumor volume and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake in NPC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Pre-treatment pEBV DNA analysis, 18F-FDG positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan (PET-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and neck were performed in 57 patients. Net volume (cm3) of the primary tumor (T(vol)) and regional nodes (N(vol)) were quantified on MRI. 18F-FDG uptake was expressed as the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) at the primary tumor (T(suv)) and regional nodes (N(suv)). Lesions with SUV(max) > or = 2.5 were considered malignant. Relationship between SUV(max), natural logarithm (log) of pEBV DNA, and square root (sq) of MRI volumes was analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. A linear regression model was constructed to test for any interaction between variables and disease stage. RESULTS: Log-pEBV DNA showed significant correlation with sq-T(vol) (r = 0.393), sq-N(vol) (r = 0.452), total tumor volume (sq-Total(vol) = T(vol) + N(vol), r = 0.554), T(suv) (r = 0.276), N(suv) (r = 0.434), and total SUV(max) (Total(suv) = T(suv) + N(suv), r = 0.457). Likewise, sq-T(vol) was correlated to T(suv) (r = 0.426), and sq-N(vol) with N(suv) (r = 0.651). Regression analysis showed that only log-pEBV DNA was significantly associated with sq-Total(vol) (p < 0.001; parameter estimate = 8.844; 95% confidence interval = 3.986-13.703), whereas Sq-T(vol) was significantly associated with T(suv) (p = 0.002; parameter estimate = 3.923; 95% confidence interval = 1.498-6.348). CONCLUSION: This study supports the hypothesis that cell-free plasma EBV DNA is a marker of tumor burden in EBV-related NPC.     

18F-FDG-PET for evaluation of the response to concurrent chemoradiation therapy with intensity-modulated radiation technique for Stage T4 nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE: This article evaluates [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) findings as a predictor for local responders (R) vs. nonresponders (NR) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with Stage T4 lesions, before and at 3 months after completion of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CCRT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: From January 2002 to November 2003, 39 T4 NPC patients were enrolled. All had magnetic resonance imaging and 18F-FDG-PET, both before and 3 months after CCRT. Any residual/recurrent lesions were confirmed histopathologically. RESULTS: Of the 39 eligible patients, after a follow-up of 24.2 +/- 9.5 months, 35 became disease-free and 4 had residual or recurrent disease. Marginal differences in standard uptake values (SUV) were observed (10.9 +/- 5.3 vs. 15.6 +/- 3.4, p = 0.058) between R and NR before treatment, and value changes of SUV before and after CCRT were not significantly different. However, highly significantly lower values of SUV were noted for R than for NR 3 months after completion of CCRT (2.1 +/- 0.8 vs. 5.5 +/- 3.2, p = 0.001). One hundred percent positive and negative predictive values were observed for SUV values of 4.0, set 3 months after completion of CCRT. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the pretreatment SUV nor the changes of SUV between pretreatment and posttreatment were significant predictors for local response. SUV at 3 months after completion of CCRT was a significant determinator for local response. The cutoff of 4.0 for SUV at 3 months after completion of CCRT was useful to be offered as a diagnostic reference for recurrent or residual tumor for NPC treatment.     

Effects of hyperoxygenation on FDG-uptake in head-and-neck cancer.

PURPOSE: Tumor hyperoxygenation results in high response rates to ARCON (accelerated radiotherapy with carbogen and nicotinamide). The effect of hyperoxygenation on tumor metabolism using [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) was investigated. METHODS: Within one week, FDG-PET was performed without and with hyperoxygenation by carbogen breathing and/or nicotinamide administration in 22 patients, eligible for ARCON for head-and-neck cancer. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUV(max)) in both scans and the relative change were calculated in the primary tumor and in normal muscle. RESULTS: Alteration of the tumor oxygenation state induced profound, but variable, metabolic changes (median DeltaSUV(max) -4%; range -61% to +30%). Metabolism in normal muscle was not affected. In three patients who did not achieve local tumor control, the SUV(max) after hyperoxygenation differed less than 5% change as compared to baseline, whereas 13 of the 16 patients with local tumor control showed a larger difference (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Given the heterogeneous response pattern of nicotinamide and carbogen on FDG-uptake in head-and-neck carcinoma, the prognostic significance of semiquantitative FDG-PET before and after hyperoxygenation remains uncertain and requires confirmation in larger clinical studies before introducing the procedure as a predictive tool for oxygenation modifying treatments.     

Correlation of molecular response as measured by 18-FDG positron emission tomography with outcome after chemoradiotherapy in patients with esophageal carcinoma

PURPOSE: To determine whether 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) computed tomography scans predict the pathologic complete response and disease-free and overall survival in patients with esophageal carcinoma undergoing definitive or preoperative chemoradiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The records of patients with esophageal carcinoma presenting for definitive or preoperative treatment and undergoing pre- and post-treatment 18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-computed tomography scans were retrospectively reviewed. The histologic type, T stage, and nodal status were the variables investigated to determine a relationship with the baseline standardized uptake value (SUV) of the primary tumor at diagnosis. We also attempted to determine whether a relationship exists between the percent decrease in SUV and a pathologic complete response, overall and disease-free survival. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients, 14 women and 67 men, underwent 18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-computed tomography scanning before treatment and 63 also had post-treatment scans. T stage and tumor location predicted in univariate, but not multivariate, analysis for the initial SUV. Of the patients with a postchemoradiotherapy SUV of <2.5, 66% had tumor in the surgical specimen and 64% of patients had positive lymph nodes at surgery that were not imaged on the postchemoradiotherapy PET scan. A trend existed for post-treatment SUV and the days from radiotherapy to surgery to predict for a pathologic complete response (p = 0.09 and p = 0.08, respectively). The post-treatment SUV predicted for disease-free survival in the definitive chemoradiotherapy group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A correlation was found between the depth of tumor invasion and the baseline SUV. The post-treatment SUV predicted for disease-free survival in the definitive chemoradiotherapy group. Caution should be exercised in using post-treatment PET scans to determine the necessity for surgical resection.     

局部晚期鼻咽癌放疗前后氟脱氧葡萄糖PET-CT摄取值与预后关系的研究

中SUV max 较高者及淋巴结转移灶SUV max 值高于原发灶SUV max 者预后较差.     

Value of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in non-small-cell lung cancer for prediction of pathologic response and times to relapse after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To determine the value of combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) during induction chemotherapy (CTx) followed by chemoradiotherapy (CTx/RTx) for non-small-cell lung cancer to predict histopathologic response in primary tumor and mediastinum and prognosis of the patient. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Fifty consecutive patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer received induction therapy and, if considered resectable, proceeded to surgery (37 of 50 patients). Patients had at least two repeated 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET/CT scans either before treatment (t0) or after induction CTx (t1) or CTx/RTx (t2). Variables from the PET/CT studies [e.g., lesion volume and corrected maximum standardized glucose uptake values (SUV(max,corr))] were correlated with histopathologic response (graded as 3, 2b, or 2a: 0%, >0-10%, or >10% residual tumor cells) and times to failure. RESULTS: Primary tumors showed a percentage decrease in SUV(max,corr) during induction significantly larger in grade 2b/3 than in grade 2a responding tumors (67% versus 34% at t(1), 73% versus 49% at t(2); both P < 0.005). SUV(max,corr) at t(2) was significantly correlated with histopathologic response in tumors smaller than the median volume (7.5 cm(3); r = -0.54, P = 0.02). In the mediastinal lymph nodes, SUV(max,corr) values at t2 predicted an ypN0 status with a sensitivity and specificity of 73% and 89%, respectively (SUV(max,corr) threshold of 4.1, r = -0.54, P = 0.0005). Freedom from extracerebral relapse was significantly better in grade 2b/3 patients (86% at 16 months versus 20% in 2a responders; P = 0.003) and in patients with a greater percentage decrease in SUV(max,corr) in the primary tumor at t2 in relation to t0 than in patients with lesser response (83% at 16 months versus 43%; P = 0.03 for cutoff points between 0.45 and 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: SUV(max,corr) values from two serial PET/CT scans, before and after three chemotherapy cycles or later, allow prediction of histopathologic response in the primary tumor and mediastinal lymph nodes and have prognostic value.     

MRI、CT和PET-CT检查对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的诊断价值

背景与目的:三维适形调强放射治疗已成为鼻咽癌放射治疗发展的方向,靶区勾画的精确性显得尤为重要.本研究的目的是探讨MRI、CT以及18F-FDG PET-CT对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移诊断的临床价值,为设计放射治疗计划提供参考.方法:收集2003年1月至2005年4月间中山大学肿瘤防治中心放疗科收治、经病理证实的初诊鼻咽癌87例,所有病例同时具有治疗前鼻咽和颈部的MRI、增强CT及PET.CT检查资料.在MRI、CT及PET-CT上分别评价鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的检出率,比较采用χ2检验.结果:174侧(87例患者)咽旁间隙中,MRI、CT和PET-CT对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的检出率分别为44.8%、33.9%和24.1%.MRI对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的检出优于CT(P=0.037).MRI及CT对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的检出率高于.PET-CT,其差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.001,P=0.002).咽后淋巴结的最小径与PET-CT的标准摄取值呈正相关(r=0.832,P＜0.001).结论:MRI对咽后淋巴结转移的检出率高于CT及PET-CT.在鼻咽癌的三维适形调强放射治疗中,三者的结合应用将有利于提高靶区勾画的精确度.     

No relationship between 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and expression of Glut-1 and -3 and hexokinase I and II in high-grade glioma

The purpose of this study was to compare glucose metabolism, measured using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG-PET), with the expression of Glut-1 and -3 and hexokinase I (Hex I) and II in high-grade glioma. The retrospective study involved 27 patients with WHO classification grade III and IV glioma, with either newly diagnosed or recurrent tumours. Patients underwent dynamic and static [18F]FDG-PET to glucose metabolic rate (MRGlu) and standardised uptake value (SUV), respectively. Tumour biopsies were obtained and stained using immunohistochemistry for the expression of Glut-1, -3, Hex I and II. Relationships between variables were studied using Spearman's rank correlation test. Results showed that the expression of Glut-1, Glut-3, Hex I and Hex II varied between and within the tumour samples. The mean of MRGlu was 0.2 (range 0.09-0.25) micromol/min/ml and that of SUV was 4.2 (range 3.2-5.2). There were no significant relationships among the tumour expression of any of the proteins studied with either MRGlu or SUV (p>0.21 for all). In conclusion, the lack of relationship between the immunohistochemical expression of Glut-1, -3, Hex I or II and glucose metabolism measured using [18F]FDG-PET in patients with high-grade glioma may be due to the tissue heterogeneity and presence of necrosis in high-grade tumours.     

The maximum uptake of (18)F-deoxyglucose on positron emission tomography scan correlates with survival, hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha and GLUT-1 in non-small cell lung cancer

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between the standardised uptake value (SUV) on (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose-positron emission tomography scan and hypoxia related markers (HIF-1alpha and CAIX), a proliferation-related marker (Ki-67) and glucose transporters (GLUT-1 and GLUT-3) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One hundred and two patients, scheduled for complete resection, received a PET scan in Leuven or Maastricht/Aachen. The maximal SUV (SUV(max)) was correlated with survival and immunohistochemical staining patterns. The actuarial survival was worse for patients showing a high SUV(max), the best discriminative value being 8.0 (Leuven, p=0.032) and 11.0 (Maastricht, p=0.007). Tumours with a high SUV(max) expressed in a higher proportion HIF-1alpha (63.1% versus 37.9%, p=0.024) and GLUT-1 (82.9% versus 62.5%, p=0.025), than tumours with a low SUV(max). No significant difference was found in the expression of CAIX, Ki-67 and GLUT-3. This study supports preclinical data that hypoxia is associated with a higher uptake of FDG.     

Pre- and post-treatment FDG PET-CT as a predictor of patient outcomes in anal squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) has a generally acceptable outlook in terms of survival. 18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computer tomography (FDG PET-CT) is not recommended for routine monitoring post-ASCC treatment. We examine herein if FDG PET-CT has a use in the prognostic evaluation of patients with ASCC, what FDG PET-CT metrics are of value and if a pre- or post-chemo/radiotherapy scan is more prognostic of outcomes. PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were comprehensively searched until 3 May, 2023. A modified Newcastle Ottawa scale was used to assess for study bias. We present our systematic review alongside pooled hazard ratios (HR) for maximum standardised uptake values (SUV) as a predictor of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Seven studies including 523 patients were included in our systematic review. Current evidence suggests that SUV maximum and median, metabolic tumour volume, total lesion glycolysis and complete and partial metabolic response may be prognostic when considering overall or progression-free survival (OS)/(PFS) along with local recurrence (LR). Pooled HR from two included studies indicate SUV max is prognostic of OS, HR 1.179, CI (1.039–1.338), P = 0.011 and PFS 1.176, CI (1.076–1.285), P < 0.01. FDG PET-CT may have a role to play in the prognostic evaluation of ASCC patients. Current evidence suggests post-treatment scanning may hold superior prognostic value at this time.     

Changes in 18F-FDG tumor metabolism after a first course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: influence of tumor subtypes

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the different breast cancer subtypes on the tumor ¹⁸F-FDG uptake at baseline and on its changes after the first course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).Patients and MethodsOne hundred and fifteen women with newly diagnosed, large or locally advanced breast cancer undergoing NAC were included. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 status were used to define three major tumor subtypes: triple negative (TN) (ER-/PR-/HER2-), luminal (ER+ and/or PR+; HER2-) and HER2 positive (HER2+). Using Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, the tumoral standard uptake value (SUV) maximal index was measured at baseline and just before the second course of NAC.ResultsTN tumors presented the highest baseline SUV (11.3 ± 8.5; P < 0.0001). The decrease of SUV after the first course of NAC (ΔSUV) was significantly higher in TN and HER2-positive subtypes (-45% ± 25% and -57% ± 30%, respectively) than in luminal one (-19% ± 35%; P < 0.0001). ΔSUV was a predictive factor of the pathological complete response only in HER2-positive tumors (cut-off = -75%; P < 0.03) with an accuracy of 76%.ConclusionThe baseline ¹⁸F-FDG tumoral uptake but also its early response to NAC is different according to the immunohistological subtypes of breast cancer.     

Prospective assessment of discontinuation and reinitiation of erlotinib or gefitinib in patients with acquired resistance to erlotinib or gefitinib followed by the addition of everolimus.

PURPOSE: Ten percent of U.S. patients with non-small cell lung cancer experience partial radiographic responses to erlotinib or gefitinib. Despite initial regressions, these patients develop acquired resistance to erlotinib or gefitinib. In these patients, we sought to assess changes in tumor metabolism and size after stopping and restarting erlotinib or gefitinib and to determine the effect of adding everolimus. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer and acquired resistance to erlotinib or gefitinib were eligible. Patients had 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography and computed tomography scans at baseline, 3 weeks after stopping erlotinib or gefitinib, and 3 weeks after restarting erlotinib or gefitinib. Three weeks after restarting erlotinib or gefitinib, everolimus was added to treatment. RESULTS: Ten patients completed all four planned studies. Three weeks after stopping erlotinib or gefitinib, there was a median 18% increase in SUV(max) and 9% increase in tumor diameter. Three weeks after restarting erlotinib or gefitinib, there was a median 4% decrease in SUV(max) and 1% decrease in tumor diameter. No partial responses (0 of 10; 95% confidence interval, 0-31%) were seen with the addition of everolimus to erlotinib or gefitinib. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who develop acquired resistance, stopping erlotinib or gefitinib results in symptomatic progression, increase in SUV(max), and increase in tumor size. Symptoms improve and SUV(max) decreases after restarting erlotinib or gefitinib, suggesting that some tumor cells remain sensitive to epidermal growth factor receptor blockade. No responses were observed with combined everolimus and erlotinib or gefitinib. We recommend a randomized trial to assess the value of continuing erlotinib or gefitinib after development of acquired resistance.     

18 F-FLT PET/CT对食管鳞癌放化疗效果预测研究

背景与目的： ¹⁸ F-FLT是一种细胞增殖的示踪剂。探索 ¹⁸ F-FLT PET/CT对食管鳞癌根治性放（化）疗效果的预测价值。方法：对根治性放（化）疗的初治食管鳞癌患者,放疗前及放疗第4周行 ¹⁸ F-FLT PET/CT扫描,记录原发灶的SUV _max-T 、转移淋巴结的SUV _max-N 等参数。随访患者总生存期（overall survival,OS）及无进展生存期（progression-free survival,PFS）,分析PET/CT参数与患者预后的关系。结果：共入组39例患者,25例完成2次PET/CT扫描。 ¹⁸ F-FLT的SUV _max-T 由基线6.63下降到1.22,淋巴结SUV _max-N 由3.69下降到1.84,但下比例与生存率无关。 ¹⁸ F-FLT PET/CT的基线SUV _max-N ＜5.00的患者,其OS明显高于SUV _max-N ≥5.00的患者（P=0.002）。结论：对根治性放（化）疗食管鳞癌,治疗前的基线 ¹⁸ F-FLT PET/CT的淋巴结SUV _max-N 是一个较好的预测预后参数。放疗4周时,病灶在 ¹⁸ F-FLT PET/CT扫描中的SUV值明显下降,但不能预测预后。     

18F-FDG标准摄取值诊断鼻咽癌的研究

目的探讨18F-脱氧葡萄糖(18F-fluorodeoxyglucose,18F-FDG)PET显像的标准摄取值(standard uptake value,SUV)在鼻咽癌诊断中的价值.方法 对48例受检者行18F-FDG PET显像并计算鼻咽部SUV,以SUV≥2.5作为阳性结果,其中35例患者行病理组织学检查.最后诊断根据病理检查确诊.结果18F-FDG PET SUV诊断原发性鼻咽癌的灵敏度为100%,特异度为65%,阳性预测值为80%,阴性预测值为100%,准确性为85.4%,低分化鳞癌与未分化癌的SUV差异有统计学意义,F=8.586, P＝0.007,鼻咽癌、鼻咽炎症和非鼻咽病变SUV三组间差异有统计学意义,F=50.285, P=0.000,而鼻咽癌与鼻咽炎症的SUV差异无统计学意义,P=0.121.结论18F-FDG PET SUV诊断鼻咽癌具有较高的灵敏度和阴性预测值,在鼻咽癌的诊断上有重要价值.