Comparison of integrin alphaVbeta3 expression and glucose metabolism in primary and metastatic lesions in cancer patients: a PET study using 18F-galacto-RGD and 18F-FDG.

The expression of alpha(v)beta(3) and glucose metabolism are upregulated in many malignant lesions, and both are known to correlate with an aggressive phenotype. We evaluated whether assessment of alpha(v)beta(3) expression and of glucose metabolism with PET using (18)F-galacto-RGD and (18)F-FDG provides complementary information in cancer patients. METHODS: Eighteen patients with primary or metastatic cancer (non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLC], n = 10; renal cell carcinoma, n = 2; rectal cancer, n = 2; others, n = 4) were examined with PET using (18)F-galacto-RGD and (18)F-FDG. Standardized uptake values (SUVs) were derived by volume-of-interest analysis. (18)F-Galacto-RGD and (18)F-FDG PET results were compared using linear regression analysis for all lesions (n = 59; NSCLC, n = 39) and for primaries (n = 14) and metastases to bone (n = 11), liver (n = 10), and other organs (n = 24) separately. RESULTS: The sensitivity of (18)F-galacto-RGD PET compared with clinical staging was 76%. SUVs for (18)F-FDG ranged from 1.3 to 23.2 (mean +/- SD, 7.6 +/- 4.9) and were significantly higher than SUVs for (18)F-galacto-RGD (range, 0.3-6.8; mean +/- SD, 2.7 +/- 1.5; P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between the SUVs for (18)F-FDG and (18)F-galacto-RGD for all lesions (r = 0.157; P = 0.235) or for primaries, osseous or soft-tissue metastases separately (P > 0.05). For the subgroup of lesions in NSCLC, there was a weak correlation between (18)F-FDG and (18)F-galacto-RGD uptake (r = 0.353; P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Tracer uptake of (18)F-galacto-RGD and (18)F-FDG does not correlate closely in malignant lesions. Whereas (18)F-FDG PET is more sensitive for tumor staging, (18)F-galacto-RGD PET warrants further evaluation for planning and response evaluation of targeted molecular therapies with antiangiogenic or alpha(v)beta(3)-targeted drugs.     

Eine neue eigenartige Cestodenlarve: Cysticercus (Cercocystis) mirabilis nov. spec. aus Daphnia magna

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Differential expression of heat shock proteins 70-1 and 70-2 mRNA after ischemia-reperfusion injury of rat kidney

Ischemia-reperfusion injury in the kidney is known to cause induction of the inducible form of the 70 kDa heat shock protein HSP70i (or HSP72). However, knowledge of the expressional regulation of the two coding genes for HSP70i –HSP70-1 gene and HSP70-2 gene – is very limited. We investigated the time course of HSP70-1 and -2 mRNA expression and its relation to cellular ATP levels in the renal cortex after different periods of unilateral warm renal ischemia (10–60 min) and reperfusion (up to 60 min) in 10-week-old male Wistar rats. Immediately after ischemia there was a significant induction of both HSP70i genes. While HSP70-1 expression constantly increased (up to 4-fold) during reperfusion, even to a higher extent with prolongation of ischemia, HSP70-2 mRNA – which was generally expressed at a far lower level than HSP70-1 mRNA – was strongly induced (3-fold) during reperfusion only after brief periods (10 min) of ischemia. Cellular ATP levels rapidly dropped to 5% with ischemia and the pattern of recovery during reperfusion significantly depended on the duration of the ischemic period, thus showing a good relation with the heat shock (protein) gene expression. We conclude that HSP70-2 is the more sensitive gene with a lower activation threshold by mild injury, while the HSP70-1 gene mediates the major response of heat shock protein induction after severe injury. Received: 16 November 1998 / Accepted: 11 March 1999     

Begrüssung durch den Präsidenten

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Connective tissue disorders in dissections of the carotid or vertebral arteries.

Dissections of the carotid or vertebral arteries are a significant cause of ischemic stroke. Their etiology includes not only mechanical forces but also underlying arteriopathies such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV and other connective tissue disorders. Furthermore, dissections often occur spontaneously or after minor trauma in otherwise healthy individuals without clinically evident underlying aberrations. However, in some of these patients ultrastructural connective tissue changes can be detected. An overview of connective tissue disorders associated with dissections of the carotid or vertebral arteries is presented.     

Über verschiedene Reaktionen bei Reizung der Fußsohle

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Distribution of apolipoprotein A I and B in the blood according to age and gender, as well as their relation to blood cholesterol levels in the Hungarian blood donor population

In this study we assessed the plasma CHOL, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), apoprotein A I, apoprotein B levels and the polymorphic isoforms of apoprotein A I in Hungarian blood donors (n = 202, average age: 37.5 year). The mean values are presented for age and sex groups, and the data are compared to the international measurements. The mean CHOL concentration was 5.7 +/- 1.1 mmol/l. The CHOL level correlated with age and no significant association was observed with sex. The level of HDL-C showed no correlation with the age and--in opposite to the international data--there were no significant sex differences (women: 1.42 +/- 0.45, men: 1.34 +/- 0.44 mmol/l), which may be explained by the relative high HDL-C concentration of Hungarian men. Both apo A I and apo B showed an increase with advancing age. The only difference between the sexes was found in apoprotein A I levels, i. e. it was higher in women than in men (women: 156.3 +/- 23.6, men: 143.8 +/- 26.8 mg/dl). In contrary with the results from other countries, the apoprotein B concentrations in men did not differ from that measured in women (women: 72.1 +/- 17.4, men: 69 +/- 15.8 mg/dl). In relation to the age, in the fifth decade the CHOL, the HDL-C and the apo B levels were higher in women than in men.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Feasibility of 2–deoxy–2–[18F]fluoro–D–glucose– A85380–PET for imaging of human cardiac nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in vivo

Summary Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors mediate the parasympathetic autonomic control of cardiac function. Aim of this study was the assessment of cardiac nicotinic acetylcholine receptor distribution with a novel (α₄β₂) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor PET ligand (2–deoxy–2– [¹⁸F]fluoro–D–glucose–A85380) in humans. Five healthy volunteers without cardiac disease and six patients with either Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy without additional overt cardiac disease were evaluated with 2–deoxy–2–[¹⁸F]fluoro–D–glucose–A85380 PET–imaging to assess the cardiac parasympathetic innervation and the putative impact of both disorders. 2–deoxy–2– [¹⁸F]fluoro–D–glucose–A85380 whole body PET–scans were performed on a Siemens PET/CT biograph^TM 75.4 min±6.7 after i.v. injection of 371.2±58.1 MBq. Average count rate density of left ventricle ROI's and a standard ROI in the right lung were measured within three consecutive slices of 10.0 mm thickness. Heart–to–lung ratios were calculated in each volunteer and patient. Tracer uptake in the left ventricle could be measured in all of the five volunteers and the six patients. Heart–to–lung ratios in the volunteer group were not different from patients suffering from Parkinson's disease or MSA (3.2 ± 0.5 vs 3.2 ± 0.8 and 2.96±0.7, mean ± SD), respectively. Human cardiac nicotinic acetylcholine receptors can be visualized and measured by 2–deoxy–2– [¹⁸F]fluoro–D–glucose–A85380 PET scans both in cardiac–healthy subjects and patients suffering from Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy. The heart– as well as the lung–tracer uptake was almost constant throughout all subjects leading to a good targetto– background ratio. These first results suggest no impact of either PD or MSA on cardiac nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. An erratum to this article is available at .