Bone scintigraphy as a new imaging biomarker: the relationship between bone scan index and bone metabolic markers in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases

Objective

A computer-aided diagnosis system for bone scintigraphy with a semiquantitative index from the Bone Scan Index (BSI) has been used to quantify the spread of bone metastases. However, few papers have made clear associations among BSI, bone metabolic markers, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This retrospective study aimed to examine these relationships in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases.

Methods

A total of 158 scans from 52 patients (number of median examinations/person 3, range 1–8; median age 71 years, age range 46–86) were included. The intervals between bone scans and blood examinations were 0–16 days (median 0 day). The serum markers of PSA, pyridinoline cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (1-CTP), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b) were examined. Subjects were divided into 4 groups according to BSI; Group A: 0 to <2, Group B: 2 to <4, Group C: 4 to <8, and Group D: over 8. BSI, which corresponded to the amount of metastatic lesion, was automatically calculated by BONENAVI^® software (FUJIFILM RI Pharma, Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan; Exini Bone, Exini Diagnostics, Sweden).

Results

All bone scans showed high uptake with bone metastases. BSI was correlated significantly with the serum 1-CTP, serum BAP, serum TRACP-5b, logBAP, logTRACP-5b, and logPSA (r = 0.39, 0.66, 0.69, 0.71, 0.62 and 0.41, respectively). BSI did not correlate significantly with the serum PSA. The statistical F value was 11 in the serum 1-CTP, 31 in serum BAP, 29 in logBAP, 19 in serum TRACP-5b, 14 in logTRACP-5b, 3 in serum PSA, and 9 in logPSA by analysis of variance. Comparison by Dunnett’s test showed significantly higher values in Group D for all original bone metabolic markers and the logPSA, Group C for the serum BAP, logBAP, serum TRACP-5b, and logTRACP-5b, and Group B for the logTRACP-5b compared with Group A.

Conclusion

The changes in BSI showed a close relationship with all bone metabolic markers but not with the serum PSA. The BSI is confirmed to reflect the activity and extent of bone metastases, and can be used as an imaging biomarker.     

Accurate localization of rectal cancer using near infrared ray-guided surgery with intra-operative colonoscopy and da Vinci Firefly technology

Surgery Today - Accurate localization of the tumor during robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer is crucial. Several techniques have been described, but each has its shortcomings. We...     

Objective evaluation of cerebrovascular reactivity for acetazolamide predicts cerebral hyperperfusion after carotid artery stenting: Comparison with region of interest methods

Background and purpose

Hemodynamic impairments are considered risk factors of cerebral hyperperfusion after carotid artery stenting (CAS); measurement by Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using a subjective region of interest (ROI) method lacks consistency and reproducibility.

Efficacy of an Anti-Semaphorin 3A Neutralizing Antibody in a Male Experimental Retinal Vein Occlusion Mouse Model

PurposeSemaphorin 3A (Sema3A) is a promising therapeutic target for macular edema in age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGFs) are the current standard of care for many retinal diseases. This study investigated the Sema3A neutralizing antibody BI-X and/or anti-VEGF therapy (aflibercept) in an RVO mouse model. Treatment efficacy was examined and grouped by timing subsequent to the RVO mouse model induction: efficacy against the onset of intraretinal edema 1 day postinduction and protective effects at 7 days postinduction.MethodsWe examined the changes in expression of Sema3A in the retina of an RVO mouse model. In addition, changes in expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and semaphorin-related proteins (neuropilin-1 and plexin A1) in the retina upon treatment were analyzed by Western blotting. The effects of BI-X and/or aflibercept were evaluated using measures of retinal edema, blood flow, and thinning of the inner nuclear layer.ResultsInduction of vein occlusion in the RVO mouse model significantly increased Sema3A expression in the retina, particularly in the inner nuclear layer. BI-X was effective as a monotherapy and in combination with anti-VEGF therapy, demonstrating a beneficial effect on intraretinal edema and retinal blood flow. Moreover, in the RVO mouse model, BI-X monotherapy normalized the changes in expression of TNF-α and semaphorin-related proteins.ConclusionsThese findings support targeting Sema3A to treat intraretinal edema and retinal ischemia.     

Chemical constituents and diversity of Ligularia lankongensis in Yunnan Province of China

The chemical constituents of the roots of Ligularia lankongensis collected at seven different places in Yunnan Province, China, were investigated together with the DNA sequence of the atpB- rbcL intergenic region. All the samples contained a new, highly oxygenated bisabolane-type sesquiterpene ( 1). Four other oxygenated bisabolanes ( 2 and the new 3, 4, and 5) were also obtained. Intraspecific diversity was observed in the composition of the compounds, but not in the DNA sequence.     

Fibroma of the tendon sheath that expanded into the radiocarpal joint with bony involvement

We present a 46-year-old man with a fibroma of the tendon sheath of the left radiocarpal joint and bony involvement of the scaphoid and the radial styloid. Bony involvement of a fibroma of the tendon sheath is rare and has been reported only four times to our knowledge.     

Prognostic values of initial responses to low-dose 131I-MIBG therapy in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

Purpose

We retrospectively examined whether or not initial responses of first low-dose ¹³¹I-meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine radiotherapy (¹³¹I-MIBG therapy) in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma had prognostic values.

Materials and methods

This study included 26 patients with malignant pheochromocytoma (n = 18) and paraganglioma (n = 8) who underwent the first ¹³¹I-MIBG therapy between October 2001 and September 2007. Based on the initial subjective, hormonal, scintigraphic, and objective responses to ¹³¹I-MIBG therapy, the responses were divided into progression disease (PD) and non-PD. We examined the following factors for prognostic significance: sex, age, disease, initial diagnosis (benign or malignant pheochromocytoma), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, palpitations, symptoms related to bone metastases, and number of low-dose ¹³¹I-MIBG therapy. Univariate Cox proportional regression analysis was used to identify prognostic factors for overall survival. Overall survival was analyzed by Kaplan–Meier method and the curves were compared using the log-rank test.

Results

The median survival time was 56 months. In the follow-up period, 16 patients died from exacerbation of their diseases. Univariate analysis showed that the hormonal PD [hazard ratio (HR) 3.20, P = 0.034, confidence interval (CI) 1.09–9.93], objective PD (HR 11.89, P = 0.0068, CI 2.14–65.85), single-time ¹³¹I-MIBG therapy (HR 3.22, P = 0.020, CI 1.21–8.79), hypertension (HR 2.93, P = 0.044, CI 1.02–10.50), and symptoms related to bone metastases (HR 3.54, P = 0.023, CI 1.18–13.04) were bad prognostic factors for overall survival. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that the hormonal non-PD (P = 0.026), objective non-PD (P = 0.0002), multiple-time ¹³¹I-MIBG therapy (P = 0.013), and no symptom related to bone metastases (P = 0.024) were significantly associated with good prognosis. Overall survival rate was 70 and 50 % at 5 years from the initial diagnosis and from the first ¹³¹I-MIBG therapy, respectively.

Conclusion

The hormonal and objective responses to the first low-dose ¹³¹I-MIBG therapy as well as complication of hypertension and symptoms related to bone metastases may be prognostic factors in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.     

人舌癌细胞快速化疗药物敏感试验

采用ＭＴＴ法检测人舌鳞状细胞癌ＳＣＣ－２５和ＳＣＣ－９两株细胞对４种临床常用抗癌药物单一用药及联合用药方案的化疗药物敏感性。单一用药的化疗药物敏感性顺序为：顺铂，博莱霉素，氨甲喋呤，５－氟脲嘧啶，以顺铂为主的联合用药化疗方案的抗癌作用明显优于单一用药，并在较低浓度时亦能达到５０％以上的肿瘤生长抑制率，本实验结果时选择临床用有一定的指导意义，ＭＴＴ法是一种有希望的，值得进一步研究发展的临床肿瘤药物试