SUVmax Levels Research Articles

The F-18 FDG PET/CT evaluation of the metastatic adrenal lesions of the non-lung cancer tumors compared with pathology results

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the role of F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging in the diagnosis of primary and metastatic adrenal tumors that originate from non-lung cancer primary tumors.ResultsF-18 FDG PET/CT images of patients (8 male and 6 female; mean: 55.36 ± 16.2 years old) who attended with the diagnosis of primary or adrenal metastatic lesions other than lung cancer metastasis were evaluated in a retrospective manner. The diameter of the adrenal lesions was mean: 23.93 ± 36.6 mm with SUVmax levels of mean: 9.98 ± 7.8. The primary site of 2/3 of the patients with unknown primary was the adrenal gland, and in one of the patients primary tumor remained unknown during follow-up.ConclusionsAccording to the results of this study, F-18 FDG PET/CT has high diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of the adrenal gland primary and metastatic lesions, which originate from non-lung cancer tumors. Further studies in the larger series are warranted.

Is there a relationship between the liver SUVmax values in FDG-PET/CT imaging and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease score?

Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide with an estimated prevalence of 20%–30% in adult population. Following the widespread utilization of PET in the evaluation of malignant diseases, F-18 FDG have also been reported to be used in non-malignant processes. The aim of this study is to elucidate whether the FDG SUVmax values determined by PET/CT in different adipose tissue samples and the liver change according to NAFLD score. During our desktop research we did not find any published article therefore, it is the first study in this field.
 Materials and Method: A total of 230 patients who applied to Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nuclear Medicine between March and April 2020 and who have been conducted FDG PET/CT for diagnosis, staging, restaging and evaluation of response to treatment were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups according to their NAFLD score as patients with fibrosis score 0.676 (severe fibrosis group) group-3. 
 Results: Liver SUVmax levels were found to be significantly higher in group-3 than group-1. No significant difference was observed between group-2 and group-3. SUVmax levels measured from supracalvicular region, posterior scapular region and mesentery region were not different from each other in all three groups. Glucose-corrected liver SUVglu levels were found to be significantly lower in group-1 than group-3 (p=0.001). In terms of liver SUVglu levels, group-1 and group-2 and group-2 and group-3 did not differ statistically from each other. Supracalvicular SUVglu, posterior scapular SUVglu and mesenteric SUVglu groups were not different from each other.
 Conclusions: The most important result of this study could be elaborated with increased FDG uptake in NAFLD. Liver FDG uptake increases as the severity of NAFLD increases as demonstrated by the NAFLD score.

The relationship between 68Ga-PSMA uptake and Gleason Score and PSA levels in patients with prostate cancer

Aim: PSMA expression has been observed in increased levels in patients with high Gleason scores. Current information on Ga-68 PSMA PET/CT shows that primary staging with PET/CT is important in patients with high-risk PC. Ga-68 PSMA PET/CT may also have a place in patients with intermediate risk PC, but only a few data are available at present. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between PSMA expression value in the prostate gland, total PSA levels and GS in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.
 Material and Method: A total of 98 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with prostate cancer that did not receive any treatment and underwent Ga‐68 PSMA PET/CT imaging for staging were included in the study. Findings detected in Ga‐68 PSMA PET/CT imaging were categorized as prostate, lymph node, bone, and visceral organ. The focal increased PSMA expression values ​​observed in the prostate gland were recorded as SUVmax. The patients were divided into two separate groups according to their GS score (GS>7 and GS≤7). Correlations between prostate PSMA SUVmax, GS score and total PSA scores were investigated.
 Results: PSMA SUVmax levels of the group with a Gleason score of >7 were found to be significantly higher than the group with a Gleason score of ≤7 (p=0.03). The rates of lymph node metastasis, bone metastasis and visceral organ metastases were found to be significantly higher in the group with a Gleason score >7 compared to the group with a Gleason score ≤7. A positive correlation was observed between PSMA SUVmax and Total PSA (r=0.260, p=0.01). A positive correlation was observed between PSMA SUVmax and Gleason score (r=0.260, p=0.01). A positive correlation was observed between total PSA and Gleason score (r=0.320, p=0.001).
 Conclusion: In conclusion, PSMA SUVmax and Total PSA levels were higher in the group with high Gleason score. There is a positive correlation between PSMA SUVmax and total PSA. Clinicians should be careful in this regard, as the possibility of metastasis will be high in groups with high Gleason scores.

Clinical Usefulness of [18F]-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-d-Glucose-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Distinguishing Between Autoimmune Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer.

We investigated the [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) findings of pancreatic and extrapancreatic lesions in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and pancreatic cancer (PC) and evaluated the usefulness of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for differentiating between AIP and PC. Eighty-five patients, 19 with AIP and 66 with PC, who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT were studied retrospectively. We evaluated the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), patterns and distributions of FDG activity in pancreatic lesions, as well as FDG uptake in extrapancreatic lesions. The levels of SUVmax of pancreatic lesions in PC patients were significantly higher than those in AIP patients (P < 0.05). Focal/segmental distribution of FDG activity was found in 61.1% of the AIP patients and 98.4% of the PC patients. Heterogeneous FDG activity patterns were found in 61.1% of the AIP patients and 18.7% of the PC patients. Activities of FDG in pancreatic lesions were significantly different between AIP and PC. Extrapancreatic activities of salivary glands, extraperitoneal lymph nodes, prostate, retroperitoneum, and kidneys in the AIP patients were significantly higher than those in the PC patients (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that SUVmax (>7.08) and focal/segmental FDG distribution were independent predictors of PC (P < 0.05). The 18F-FDG-PET/CT findings are useful for differentiating between AIP and PC.

Relationship of the standard uptake value of 18F-FDG-PET-CT with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in breast tumors measuring\u2009\u2265\u20091\xa0cm

Evidence suggests that tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) compete for glucose in the tumor microenvironment and that tumor metabolic parameters correlate with localized immune markers in several solid tumors. We investigated the relationship of the standardized uptake value (SUV) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET-CT) with stromal TIL levels in breast cancer. We included 202 patients who underwent preoperative 18F-FDG-PET-CT and had a tumor measuring ≥ 1 cm. Maximum SUV (SUVmax) was determined using 18F-FDG-PET-CT. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors related to high TIL levels (≥ 40%). All tumors were treatment naïve. A significant and weak correlation existed between continuous SUVmax and continuous TIL levels (p = 0.002, R = 0.215). Tumors with high SUVmax (≥ 4) had higher mean TIL levels than those with low SUVmax (< 4). In multivariable analysis, continuous SUVmax was an independent factor associated with high TIL levels; each 1-unit increment in SUVmax corresponded to an odds ratio of 1.14 (95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.29) for high TIL levels. Our study implies that SUV is associated with TILs in breast cancer and provides clinical evidence that elevated glucose uptake by breast tumors can predict the immune system-activated tumor micromilieu.

Implications of Standardized Uptake Values of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in PET-CT on Prognosis, Tumor Characteristics and Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy.

Simple SummaryIn this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of the positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging technique in patients with newly diagnosed oral squamous cell carcinomas. PET-CT is routinely used to detect and quantify metabolically active tissues such as tumors. By using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, we successfully determined an optimal cut-off value for patient stratification in order to predict clinical outcome in this population. Furthermore, other clinical variables and their impact on clinical outcome as well as PET-CT values were evaluated. We show that, based on the determined optimal cut-off value, PET-CT is a reliable and independent predictor for clinical outcome, even in a fully adjusted model. Finally, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA to evaluate if potentially deleterious mutations might be a potential cause of metabolic changes, leading to differences in PET-CT values and consequently, clinical outcome.Under aerobic conditions, some cancers switch to glycolysis to cover their energy requirements. Taking advantage of this process, functional imaging techniques such as PET-CT can be used to detect and assess tumorous tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate standardized uptake values and mitochondrial DNA mutations in oral squamous cell carcinoma. A cohort of 57 patients underwent 18[F]FDG-PET-CT and standardized uptake values were collected. In 15 patients, data on mitochondrial DNA mutations of the tumor were available. Kaplan–Meier curves were calculated, and correlation analyses as well as univariate Cox proportional hazard models were performed. Using ROC analysis to determine a statistical threshold for SUVmax in PET investigations, a cut-off value was determined at 9.765 MB/mL. Survival analysis for SUVmax in these groups showed a Hazard Ratio of 4 (95% CI 1.7–9) in the high SUVmax group with 5-year survival rates of 23.5% (p = 0.00042). For SUVmax and clinicopathological tumor features, significant correlations were found. A tendency towards higher mtDNA heteroplasmy levels in high SUVmax groups could be observed. We were able to confirm the prognostic value of SUVmax in OSCC, showing higher survival rates at lower SUVmax levels. Correlations between SUVmax and distinct tumor characteristics were highly significant, providing evidence that SUVmax may act as a reliable diagnostic parameter. Correlation analysis of mtDNA mutations suggests an influence on metabolic activity in OSCC.

Correlations of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in the initial staging of prostate cancer patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlations between the different risk groups of prostate cancer (PCa) regarding the presence of metastasis and the gallium-68 prostate specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA) uptake patterns in the prostate gland. One hundred thirty nine patients with newly diagnosed, untreated PCa who underwent 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging for staging between July 2017 and March 2019 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were determined by manually placing the region of interest to the primary tumor in the prostate gland. Patients were divided into groups according to their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values, International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade groups, Gleason Scores (GS), D'Amico risk stratification criteria and the presence of metastasis. Mann Whitney U test was used in the comparison of two groups of data. In multivariate analysis, logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors for the presence of metastasis. There were statistically significant differences between D'Amico risk groups in terms of prostate SUVmax levels. The SUVmax levels of the patients in the high risk group were significantly higher than the SUVmax levels of the patients in the low-medium risk groups (P<0.001). Maximum standardized uptake value levels of the patients with PSA level 20ng/mL and above were significantly higher than those with PSA level below 20ng/mL (P<0.001). The metastatic rate of patients with 68Ga-PSMA uptake on two lobes of the prostate gland was significantly higher (42.6%) than the metastatic rate of patients with 68Ga-PSMA uptake on only one lobe (7.9%) (P<0.001).The median SUVmax of tumours in patients with metastasis was statistically significantly higher than in patients with no metastasis. In multivariate analysis; bilobar involvement, PSA value 20ng/mL, prostate SUVmax value 8.6 and GS 8 were determined as independent predictors for the presence of metastasis. The strong correlation between PSA values and/or Gleason score/Grade and SUVmax values suggests that the SUVmax value of the prostate gland might be a valuable determinant in risk classifications.

Is positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging a reliable tool for detecting vascular activity in treated childhood-onset Takayasu's arteritis? A multicentre study.

Toassess whether 18F-fluordeoxiglucose (18F-FDG) PET/MRI) with angiographic sequences can contribute to detecting vessel wall inflammation in patients with childhood-onset Takayasu's arteritis (c-TA) under immunosuppressive therapy. A three-centre cross-sectional study was conducted. 18F-FDG PET/MRI scans were performed in c-TA patients and in oncologic patients, who served as the control group. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were also analysed. Seventeen c-TA patients (65% females) between the ages of 6 and 21 years with a mean disease duration of 9.4 years were recruited. Only one patient presented clinical disease activity and six (35.6%) had increased ESR and/or CRP levels. The most frequent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) findings were stenosis and thickening, observed in 82.4 and 70.6% of c-TA patients, respectively. 18F-FDG PET revealed 18F-FDG uptake greater than the liver in at least one arterial segment in 15 (88.2%) patients in a qualitative analysis and a median maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 3.22 (interquartile range 2.76-3.69) in a semi-quantitative analysis. c-TA patients presented significantly higher SUVmax values than oncologic patients (P < 0.001). A positive correlation between SUVmax and CRP levels (ρ = 0.528, P = 0.029) was seen. A state-of-the-art imaging modality was used in c-TA patients and revealed a strong arterial FDG uptake even in patients in apparent remission. We suppose that this finding may represent silent activity in the vessel wall; however, we cannot exclude the possibility of arterial remodelling. Importantly, a negative imaging scan may help in immunosuppression withdrawal in daily clinical practice.

F-18 FDG PET-CT for response evaluation in head and neck malignancy: Experience from a tertiary level hospital in south India.

BackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) accounts for 90% of head and neck cancers. There has been no established qualitative system of interpretation for therapy response assessment using PET‐CT for HNSCC.AimTo assess response evaluation of nodal status in post‐treatment PET‐CT scans in HNSCC using a 5‐point Likert scale (Deauville score [DS]).Methods and ResultsRetro‐prospective analysis was performed of the nodal status of pre and post‐RT PET‐CT in patients diagnosed with HNSCC (n = 43) from May 2013 to March 2018. All eligible patients underwent a pre‐RT PET‐CT scan before the start of RT. Another post‐RT PET‐CT scan was performed 12 weeks after the completion of RT. The median time from completion of radiotherapy (RT) to post‐RT PET‐CT was 92 days; 80% of the patients had their post‐RT PET‐CT scan between 77 and 147 days after therapy. Of 43 patients (M/33, F/10, age range 18 to 80 years (median 54 years) selected for the study, good concordance was noted between DS and clinical response in these patients. The change in SUV from pre‐RT PET to post‐RT PET was analyzed using a paired t‐test. The P‐value was found to be statistically significant while comparing pre and post‐RT SUVmax levels showing that RT had significantly reduced the SUVmax levels of the nodes in DS 2‐3 groups whereas the number of patients was too small to allow a reliable calculation in DS 4‐5 groups. It was found that 36/39 patients with DS 1‐3 had no nodal recurrence showing a high NPV of 92.3%. Of the four patients with DS 4‐5, all had active disease showing PPV of 100%. Applying Fisher's exact test, the P‐value was found to be .004.ConclusionDS seems to satisfy the requirements for a simple qualitative method of interpreting PET scans and for identifying patients requiring neck dissection. Consensus regarding qualitative assessment would facilitate standardization of PET reporting in clinical practice and enable comparative multicentric studies

Value of metabolic parameters of primary lesions examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT for endometrial cancer in preoperative evaluation.

To evaluate metabolic parameters of primary lesions examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT (18Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography /Computed Tomography), including maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). 79 patients with endometrial cancer were selected as the subjects. They were diagnosed by histopathology in our hospital for the first time from January 2016 to December 2018. All the patients were examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT. Retrospective statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate different expression of metabolic parameters examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT of different clinicopathologic factors in endometrial cancer. Spearman correlation analysis was also used. SUVmax, TLG and MTV were correlated with FIGO staging, tissue grading, depth of myometrial invasion, and lymph node metastasis. SUVmax, TLG and MTV in lymph node metastasis group had high clinical staging, low differentiation and myometrial invasion depth >1/2, which were significantly higher than those in no lymph node metastasis group (low clinical staging, high differentiation and myometrial invasion depth ≤1/2). TLG had the greatest difference(p<0.001). TLG and MTV were correlated with histopathological classification (p<0.05). The expression levels of SUVmax, MTV and TLG of primary lesions were negatively correlated with the positive expression of ER and PR in tumor tissues (p<0.05), and significantly positively correlated with positive expression of HER -2 and Ki-67 (p<0.01). The expression of ER, PR, HER-2 and KI-67 in tumor tissues was correlated with tissue grading, clinical staging, depth of muscular layer infiltration, cervical tissue involvement and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). Metabolic parameters of primary lesions examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT has a good correlation with its clinicopathological features. They can provide reference for the preoperative formulation of treatment plan for endometrial cancer, so as to reduce the risk of surgery and improve the prognosis of patients.

Stereotactic hypofractive radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with lung cancer

Introduction. Nowadays the stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) of patients with clinical stage I-II lung cancer is the choice of the treatment modality for functionally inoperable patients. It shows safety and high efficiency in reaching the local control. Though there is a range of unsolved issues connected with the prediction of treatment efficiency and frequency of complications, an integration of new technologies in the planning and treatment process allows to widen the search of the predictive factors.Materials and methods. Since 2014, 42 patients (T1N0M0 – 16 patients, T2N0M0 – 26 patients) with clinical stage I-IIa lung cancer have underwent SRT. The majority of patients (38) have been recognized as functionally inoperable due to the concurrent broncho-pulmonary pathology, 4 conditionally operable patients have refused an operation. 11 patients had the primary multiple tumors in their anamneses, 3 patients had a сentral tumor. Used dose fractionation options were: 10 Gy х 5 fractions (n = 29) and 7 Gy х 8 fractions (n = 13) – BED = 100 Gy.Resuts. The median follow-up was 32 months (range 6–56 months). The 3-year local control was 94%. The isolated local recurrences were not registered. Overall 3-year survival rate was 74% (95% CI, 60–90) and a 3-year tumor-specific survival rate – 84% (95% CI, 71–98). During one-factor analysis a reliable influence on the prognosis of the fractionation regimen (р = 0,04) and, close to reliability, the initial SUVmax level influence (р = 0,07) were revealed. Grade 3 pulmonary toxicity was observed in 4 (9%) patients, one patient with a Central tumor died from pulmonary hemorrhage (grade 5 toxicity). Grade 3 chest pain was observed in 3 (7%) patients, two of them had a rib fracture.Conclusions. With modern approaches to SRT treatment planning and delivery there should be a search for additional treatment efficiency and toxicity predictors. The total dose delivery regimen and initial tumor SUVmax can be predictive efficiency factors, while the pulmonary tissue volume can be a predictive toxicity factor.

Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with hepatic metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary

PurposeThis retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical value of -deoxy-2-(18F)-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in detecting primary lesions of hepatic metastases.MethodsA total of 124 patients with hepatic metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary underwent whole body 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. According to the final diagnoses for both primary sites and hepatic metastases that were confirmed either histopathologically or by clinical follow up, all patients were divided into 4 groups: a true positive group (TP, 95 cases), a false positive group (FP, 9), a true negative group (TN, 8) and a false negative group (FN, 12).ResultsThe TP rate of primary lesions, detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT, was 76.61%, the FP rate 7.26%, the TN rate 6.45% and the FN rate 9.68%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the detection of primary tumors were 88.78%, 52.94%, 91.35%, 40%, and 83.06%, respectively. Accurate diagnosis groups (TP, TN) showed a significantly higher SUVmax (standard uptake maximum value) level than that in error diagnosis groups (FP, FN). The SUVmax between hepatic metastases and primary lesions had a positive correlation. The primary tumor sites of hepatic metastases were mainly located in the gastrointestinal organs and the lungs.ConclusionsWhole body 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging was sensitive for detecting primary sites/lesions with hepatic metastatases of unknown primary, especially when the SUVmax of hepatic metastases were greater than 4.7.

Improving Evaluation of Disease Burden at Diagnosis in Hodgkin Lymphoma

Introduction: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a hematological malignancy, with an inflammatory majority component of reactive cells and a few (1-2%) Reed-Sternberg cells (RSC). A high percentage of patients are cured with conventional strategies but approximately 15-30% relapse or progress. The standard tool to assess disease burden is the Ann Arbor Stage that classically categorizes HL in early (I-II) and advanced stages (III-IV). However, AA staging lacks accuracy in predicting outcome. New ways to asses tumor burden, such as baseline fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT), detect active disease with higher sensitivity in comparison with computed tomography (CT). Additionally, different volumetric parameters, such as metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG), may be obtained from FDG PET/TC. We aim to improve disease burden testing using FDG PET/TC-related parameters, to better stratify HL patients at the time of diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively selected patients with HL, homogeneously treated with ABVD +/- RT, at Son Espases and Son Llatzer University Hospitals in Palma de Mallorca from the databases of Pharmacy, Pathology and Nuclear Medicine Departments, to avoid selection bias. FDG PET/TC was done at baseline. MTV was measured with a semiautomatic method using a 41% maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) threshold and represents the sum of metabolic volumes of tumor tissues with increased FDG uptake. TLG was calculated by multiplying MTV and the mean SUV (SUVmean) of the MTV and was representative of the metabolic activity throughout the entire tumor. We used receiver operating curves (ROC) analysis to obtain the optimal cutoff for progression or death of all experimental FDG PET/TC-related variables. Standard clinical prognostic variables were obtained from medical records (age, gender, stage, bulky and ECOG PS) and main prognostic scores (IPS, EORTC and GHSG) were calculated. Progression-free survival (PFS) was considered the time from diagnosis to disease progression or death of any cause. Univariate survival analysis was done using Kaplan-meier plots and comparison between variables with log-rank test. Results: From August-2011 to November-2018, we included 101 patients. Table 1 shows main characteristics of patients. Median age was 37 years (14-83 years), 53% of patients had an advanced stage and 10% had bulky disease. With a median follow-up of 45 months (11-90), median PFS was 78%. The optimal cuttoffs obtained for MTV, TLG and SUVmax were 32.5, 167.8 and 10.4, respectively. In the univariate survival analysis, PFS was significantly influenced by MTV (p=0,007) and TLG (p=0.003), but not AA stage (Table 2). OS was significantly influenced by TLG (p=0.007) and SUVmax (p=0.001). With the three FDG PET/TC-related variables influencing HL survival we designed a FDG PET/TC score as follows: 1 point for high level of MTV, TLG or SUVmax (from 0 to 3). As shown in Table 2, this new FDG PET/TC score had a much better risk assessment that standard AA stage, being able to differentiate three risk groups with 100%, 84% and 65% 4-y PFS and 100%, 84% and 75% OS. Conclusions: The combination of functional 3D measurement of tumor burden (MTV, TLG and SUVmax) obtained from the FDG PET/TC at diagnosis, in HL, could be a valuable tool to better stratify the risk patients from tumor burden at the moment of diagnosis, when compared with standard AA staging. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Metabolic Characterization of Anterior Mediastinal Masses by 18F-FDG PET/CT

Objectives:To evaluate the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the diagnosis of anterior mediastinal masses.Methods:The oncological 18F-FDG PET/CT images of 41 patients (17 women, 24 men; age: 16-83 years, mean age: 50.5±19.5 years) who attended the nuclear medicine department between November 2016 and September 2017 were retrospectively evaluated for the metabolic characterization of their anterior mediastinal masses.Results:Based on our results, the lesions of 4 patients were benign [maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) <3] and that of 2 patients were non-tumoral (i.e., tuberculosis and sarcoidosis). The mean dimensions and the SUVmax levels of the malignant lesions were 6.4±3.7 cm and 11.9±9.6, respectively. The pathological results for the malign tumors were thymus tumors (n=8), lymphoma (n=8), lung cancer (n=11), carcinoid metastasis (n=2), thyroid carcinoma (n=2), germ cell carcinoma (n=1), schwannoma (n=1), and sarcoma (n=1). The degree of 18F-FDG accumulation could precisely identify the malign and benign tumors.Conclusion:Thus, contrary to the known causes, it is possible that anterior mediastinal masses originate from structures other than the anterior mediastinal structures. In this study, the lymphoma and lung carcinoma pathology were more frequent than thymic lesions.

Utility of computed tomography and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose with positron emission tomography/computed tomography for distinguishing appendiceal mucocele caused by mucinous adenocarcinoma from other pathologies.

Differentiating appendiceal mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma from other pathologies before surgery is difficult. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of CT and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for differentiating mucinous adenocarcinoma of appendiceal mucocele from other pathologies. The study included 25 patients who underwent surgery for clinically diagnosed appendiceal mucoceles detected on CT at the University of Tokyo Hospital. Among these patients, 19 underwent FDG-PET/CT preoperatively. We compared features of the CT imaging findings and maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax ) detected by FDG-PET/CT between mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma and other pathologies. A total of 13 men (52%) and 12 women (48%) were included in this study, with a median age of 65years (range 34-83). There were six patients (24%) with pathologically confirmed mucinous adenocarcinoma, 15 patients (60%) with appendiceal mucinous neoplasm and four patients (16%) with simple mucocele caused by chronic inflammation. On the CT findings, wall irregularity was the only significant feature for the two groups in this study (83.3% vs 0.0%, P<0.01). There was a significant difference in the SUVmax levels on PET/CT between the two groups (100.0% vs 20.0%, P<0.01). Distinguishing between mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma and other pathologies using imaging modalities is challenging. Our results suggest that wall irregularity on CT and elevated SUVmax on PET/CT are useful factors that can be employed for such discrimination.

Characterization of PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Expression in Osteosarcoma

Recent data have suggested that PD-1 and PD-L1 are involved in osteosarcoma (OS) pathogenesis; however, their contributions are not well-established. Here, the PD-1/PD-L1 expression was evaluated in (OS) cases. Preoperative needle biopsy specimens were obtained from 16 patients with OS. Immunostaining for CD4, CD8, PD-1, and PD-L1 was performed on pathological specimens. Clinical parameters, including age, tumor size, preoperative alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level, standardized uptake value (SUV)-max level, and survival rate, were compared between PD-1/PD-L1-positive and -negative groups. CD4-, CD8-, PD-1-, and PD-L1-positive rates among all specimens were 75%, 75%, 18.7%, and 62.5%, respectively. The rates of co-expression of CD4 and CD8 with PD-L1 were 56.2% and 50%, respectively. Tumors were significantly larger in PD-L1-negative cases than in PD-L1-positive cases. Age, size and ALP and SUV-max levels did not differ significantly between PD-1/PD-L1-positive and -negative cases. The 3-year survival rates did not differ significantly between PD-1-positive and -negative cases or between PD-L1-positive and -negative cases. However, the occurrence of cancer-related events, including recurrence, metastasis, and death was associated with the PD-1-negative and PD-L1-positive status. The PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint is likely involved in the immune microenvironment in OS and may be involved in the occurrence of cancer-related events.

Pretreatment serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratios: Two tumor-related systemic inflammatory markers in patients with thymic epithelial tumors

ObjectivesTo understand underlying changes in pretreatment serum inflammatory markers associated with thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) development. MethodsA retrospective analysis of 113 TETs patients who underwent 18-fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography combined computed tomography (PET/CT) one to two weeks before tumor resection or biopsy was performed. Pretreatment serum neutrophil, monocyte, platelet, and lymphocyte counts, and fibrinogen and C-reaction protein (CRP) concentrations were measured one day before surgery or biopsy. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated by dividing corresponding cells counts by lymphocyte counts, respectively. The maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of 18F-FDG of primary TETs was applied to reflect tumor glycolytic activity. The student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA analysis, Chi-square test, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and Logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. ResultsThe serum NLR and MLR were significantly higher in TETs patients than in healthy volunteers (P both ≤ 0.001). High serum NLR and MLR were related to the thymic carcinomas (TCs) subtype, elevated Masaoka-Koga (M−K) tumor stage, and metastasis of TETs (P all < 0.005). High serum NLR and MLR were also associated with high SUVmax values of TETs (P all < 0.005), with increasingly differences between groups as the cut-off values defining low-SUVmax and high-SUVmax groups increased. With the medium cutoff of NLR, MLR, and SUVmax of 3.07, 0.25, and 8.00 respectively, the high NLR and MLR levels were significantly associated with high SUVmax level of TETs (P both < 0.005). Moreover, the incidences of co-high SUVmax/NLR and co-high SUVmax/MLR were higher in TETs patients older than 55 years, with TCs, in M−K stage IV, and with metastasis (P all < 0.05). Both the co-high SUVmax/NLR and co-high SUVmax/MLR increased the risk of TETs metastasis (P both < 0.001), while the co-high SUVmax/MLR was also an independent risk factor for TETs metastasis (odds ratio: 3.92, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–15.12, P = 0.047). ConclusionPretreatment serum NLR and MLR of TETs patients are two tumor-progression- and tumor-glycolysis-related inflammatory markers. Enhanced tumor glycolytic activity and associated systemic inflammatory reaction may play a synergistic role in TETs metastasis.

Prognostic Values of Baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT in Patients with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma.

Purpose In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the metabolic parameters on baseline 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) could be used to predict prognosis in peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL). Methods A total of 51 nodal PTCL patients who underwent baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively evaluated in the present study. Total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were also assessed. Besides, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI) was also included. Log-rank test and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results The median follow-up was 18 months. Patients with low TLG, TMTV, and SUVmax levels had a significantly better clinical outcome than those with high TLG, TMTV, and SUVmax levels. The 2-year PFS rates of the high- and low-TMTV groups were 34.62% and 80%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (n = 10), intermediate-risk group with TMTV > 62.405 or NCCN-IPI score of 4-8 (2-year PFS and OS were 52.4% and 66.7%, respectively, n = 10), intermediate-risk group with TMTV > 62.405 or NCCN-IPI score of 4-8 (2-year PFS and OS were 52.4% and 66.7%, respectively, n = 10), intermediate-risk group with TMTV > 62.405 or NCCN-IPI score of 4-8 (2-year PFS and OS were 52.4% and 66.7%, respectively, Conclusions Baseline TMTV and TLG were independent predictors of PFS and OS in PTCL patients, and SUVmax and NCCN-IPI scores were also independent predictors of OS. Moreover, the combination of TMTV and NCCN-IPI scores improved patient risk-stratification at the initial stage and might contribute to the adjustment of the therapeutic regime. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1900025526.

GLUT1 expression in high-risk prostate cancer: Correlation with 18F-FDG-PET/CT and clinical outcome.

291 Background: Tumour FDG-uptake is of prognostic value in high-risk and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study is to investigate the underlying glucose metabolism mechanisms of 18F-FDG-uptake on PET/CT imaging in PCa. Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted for 94 patients diagnosed with a Gleason sum ≥8 at biopsy who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging before radical prostatectomy. GLUT1, GLUT12 and HK2 expression were blindly scored after immunohistochemistry on radical prostatectomy specimens by 3 pathologists. 18F-FDG-uptake in primary lesion was measured by a blinded reader using maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). Correlations between GLUT1, GLUT12 and HK2 and SUVmax were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation test. Survival probabilities were based on the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: With a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 56% (n=53) of patients had biochemical recurrence, 7% (n=7) progressed to castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) disease, 13% (n=12) developed metastasis and 6% (n=6) died. Correlation was found between GLUT1 expression and SUVmax level (r=0.2512, p=0.0182). In addition, SUVmax was significantly higher in tumours with high GLUT1 expression (n=17, 5.74±1.67) than tumours with low GLUT1 expression (n=71, 2.68±0.31, P=0.0037). Also, contrary to GLUT12 and HEX2 expression, a significant association was found between GLUT-1 expression levels and SUVmax index (p=0.004), lymph node status (p=0.046), volume of cancer (P=0.013), CRPC-free survival (p=0.02) and metastasis-free survival (p=0.04). Conclusions: GLUT1 expression in PCa tumours correlates with 18F-FDG-uptake and poor prognostic factors. These results suggest that this transporter is involved in the molecular mechanism of 18F-FDG-uptake in high-risk PCa and raise interest in targeting metabolic dependencies of PCa cells as a selective anticancer strategy.

GLUT1 expression in high-risk prostate cancer: correlation with 18F-FDG-PET/CT and clinical outcome.

Tumour 18F-FDG-uptake is of prognostic value in high-risk and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study is to investigate the underlying glucose metabolism mechanisms of 18F-FDG-uptake on PET/CT imaging in PCa. Retrospective analysis was conducted for 94 patients diagnosed with a Gleason sum ≥8 adenocarcinoma of the prostate at biopsy between July 2011 and July 2014 who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging before radical prostatectomy (RP). 18F-FDG-uptake in primary lesion was measured by a blinded reader using maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax). GLUT1, GLUT12 and HK2 expression were blindly scored after immunohistochemistry on specimens RP by three pathologists. Correlations between GLUT1, GLUT12 and HK2, and SUVmax were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation test. Survival probabilities were based on the Kaplan-Meier method. With a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 56% (n = 53) of patients had biochemical recurrence (BCR), 7% (n = 7) progressed to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) disease, 13% (n = 12) developed metastasis and 6% (n = 6) died. Correlation was found between GLUT1 expression and SUVmax level (r = 0.25, p = 0.02). In addition, SUVmax was significantly higher in tumours with high GLUT1 expression (n = 17, 5.74 ± 1.67) than tumours with low GLUT1 expression (n = 71, 2.68 ± 0.31, p = 0.004). Moreover, a significant association was found between GLUT1 expression levels and SUVmax level (p = 0.005), lymph node status (p = 0.05), volume of cancer (p = 0.01), CRPC disease progression (p = 0.02) and metastasis development (p = 0.04). No significant difference between GLUT12 and HEX2 expression and SUVmax have been found. GLUT1 expression in PCa tumours correlates with 18F-FDG-uptake and poor prognostic factors. These results suggest that this transporter is involved in the molecular mechanism of 18F-FDG-uptake in high-risk PCa and raise interest in targeting metabolic dependencies of PCa cells as a selective anticancer strategy.