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Background: 'Kimura's disease (KD) is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology and is difficult to diagnose due to poor clinical presentation and imaging features. Few studies on characteristics of 18F-FDG PET/CT of KD have been reported. This study aimed to observe the reliable characteristics and usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of consecutive patients with KD. Methods: The clinical data and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging findings of 8 patients with pathologically confirmed KD were reviewed retrospectively.18F-FDG PET/CT images were evaluated visually and semiquantitatively by measuring the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). The correlations between clinical data and 18F-FDG PET/CT features were analyzed by simple linear regression. Results: This study included 7 males and one female ranging in age from 17 to 79 years. The longest diameter of lesions ranged from 0.8 cm to 4.8 cm, and regional or generalized lymphadenopathy was found in all 8 patients with eosinophilia, while subcutaneous masses and salivary gland involvement concurrently were found in 4 patients. 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed that these involved lesions had high 18F-FDG uptake with SUVmax > 2.5 (2.6 to 6.3). Moreover, the margin of the lesions was well defined in 6 cases and ill defined in 2 cases, and homogeneous density and 18F-FDG uptake were both found in all these lesions. There was negative correlation between eosinophils and SUVmax (R2 = 0.538). Conclusions: Kimura's disease should be considered when 18F-FDG PET/CT is characterized by homogeneous lesions of regional or generalized lymphadenopathy, accompanied with subcutaneous masses and salivary gland involvement concurrently, especially in patients with eosinophilia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels following radical prostatectomy are indicative of a poor prognosis, which may associate with periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT). Accordingly, we aimed to construct a dynamic online nomogram to predict tumor short-term prognosis based on 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT of PPAT. Methods: Data from 268 prostate cancer (PCa) patients who underwent 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT before prostatectomy were analyzed retrospectively for model construction and validation (training cohort: n = 156; internal validation cohort: n = 65; external validation cohort: n = 47). Radiomics features (RFs) from PET and CT were extracted. Then, the Rad-score was constructed using logistic regression analysis based on the 25 optimal RFs selected through maximal relevance and minimal redundancy, as well as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. A nomogram was constructed to predict short-term prognosis which determined by persistent PSA. Results: The Rad-score consisting of 25 RFs showed good discrimination for classifying persistent PSA in all cohorts (all P < 0.05). Based on the logistic analysis, the radiomics-clinical combined model, which contained the optimal RFs and the predictive clinical variables, demonstrated optimal performance at an AUC of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78—0.91), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.62—0.91) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.70—0.93) in the training, internal validation and external validation cohorts. In all cohorts, the calibration curve was well-calibrated. Analysis of decision curves revealed greater clinical utility for the radiomics-clinical combined nomogram. Conclusion: The radiomics-clinical combined nomogram serves as a novel tool for preoperative individualized prediction of short-term prognosis among PCa patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: In addition to post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, it is necessary to be alert to the drug‐resistant bacteria or fungal infection, especially Talaromyces marneffei, in kidney transplant patients who have failed antibiotic treatment and whose PET‐CT indicates high metabolic mass in the transplanted kidney with a large number of other organs and lymph nodes. Talaromyces marneffei (TM) is a rare pathogenic fungus that primarily affects individuals with compromised immune systems. Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are serious complications that can occur after solid organ and cell transplantation. Both TM infection and PTLD can invade the monocyte–macrophage system and often manifest as extranodal masses. This case report describes a kidney transplant patient who presented with symptoms of frequent, urgent, and painful urination over 6 months. Pulmonary CT scans revealed multiple nodules, and PET‐CT demonstrated enlarged lymph nodes in the lungs and the transplanted kidney. The clinical manifestations closely mimicked those of PTLD. The confirmation of TM was achieved through pathogen metagenomic next‐generation sequencing and renal biopsy. Unfortunately, despite receiving treatment with antifungal agents, anti‐infective therapy, the patient's condition did not respond favorably, ultimately resulting in their unfortunate demise due to COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naphthalocyanine-based agents exhibit huge potential in photodynamic therapy, yet their photodynamic performance is restricted by the penetration depth of the external laser. Herein, we employed 18F-FDG as an internal light source to excite silicon naphthalocyanine nanoparticles to simultaneously circumvent radiative transition and boost 1O2 generation for tumor suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a standardized diagnostic examination, cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a rare metastatic malignancy with an unidentified tissue of origin (TOO). Patients diagnosed with CUP are typically treated with empiric chemotherapy, although their prognosis is worse than those with metastatic cancer of a known origin. TOO identification of CUP has been employed in precision medicine, and subsequent site-specific therapy is clinically helpful. For example, molecular profiling, including genomic profiling, gene expression profiling, epigenetics and proteins, has facilitated TOO identification. Moreover, machine learning has improved identification accuracy, and non-invasive methods, such as liquid biopsy and image omics, are gaining momentum. However, the heterogeneity in prediction accuracy, sample requirements and technical fundamentals among the various techniques is noteworthy. Accordingly, we systematically reviewed the development and limitations of novel TOO identification methods, compared their pros and cons and assessed their potential clinical usefulness. Our study may help patients shift from empirical to customized care and improve their prognoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the specificity of NRP-1 monoclonal antibody (NRP-1 MAb), and the antitumor effect of NRP-1 MAb at the different doses on nude mice bearing breast cancer xenografts. Methods The recognition of NRP-1 protein in MCF7 cells by NRP-1 MAb were detected by Western blot and confocal immunofluorescent analysis. BALB/c nude mice were adopted to establish a tumor-bearing model by inoculating subcutaneously MCF7 cells, and then the passage of tumor tissues was carried out. When the tumor grew to 300-500 mm3, the xenografts nude mice were randomly divided into control group, low-dose group, middle-dose group and high-dose group, 6 mice in each group, and 7 doses in full course by subcutaneous injection. Then we observed the general status, tumor size and body weight in the routine. When the trial ended, relevant tumors were striped and weighed, and then we extracted the protein. Western blot was performed to examine the expression of VEGF and NRP-1. Results NRP-1 MAb could bind the NRP-1 protein in MCF7 cells, and significantly inhibit the growth of breast cancer xenograft in nude mice. The corresponding inhibition ratio reached 47.01%, 65.70% and 69.19% in low-dose group, middle-dose group and high-dose group, respectively. Conclusion NRP-1 MAb could recognize and bind NRP-1 on the membrane of MCF7 cells and inhibit the growth of the transplanted tumor. The downregulation of VEGF and NRP-1 may play an active role in tumor growth inhibition.

Byline: Feng. Wang, Xingyu. Che, Qingwei. Yang, Ru. Wang, Jianqi. Zeng, Yiqian. Chen, Xinhui. Su, Jiayin. Miao Background: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) is frequently disrupted in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) [...]

Radionuclides internal radiotherapy (RIT) is a clinically powerful method for cancer treatment, but still poses unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes due to the hypoxic characteristic of tumor microenvironment (TME). Catalase (CAT) or CAT-like nanomaterials can be used to enzymatically decompose TME endogenous H2O2 to boost TME oxygenation and thus alleviate the hypoxic level within tumors, but their effectiveness is still hindered by the short-lasting of hypoxia relief owing to their poor stability or degradability, thereby failing to match the long therapeutic duration of RIT. Herein, we proposed an innovative strategy of using facet-dependent CAT-like Pd-based two-dimensional (2D) nanoplatforms to continuously enhance RIT. Specifically, rationally designed 2D Pd@Au nanosheets (NSs) enable consistent enzymatic conversion of endogenous H2O2 into O2 to overcome hypoxia-induced RIT resistance. Furthermore, partially coated Au layer afford NIR-II responsiveness and moderate photothermal treatment that augmenting their enzymatic functionality. This approach with dual-effect paves the way for reshaping TME and consequently facilitating the brachytherapy ablation of cancer. Our work offers a significant advancement in the integration of catalytic nanomedicine and nuclear medicine, with the overarching goal of amplifying the clinical benefits of RIT-treated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has shown high expression in inflammatory responses and fibrosis. Hypothesis: We speculated that FAP could serve as a diagnostic and monitoring target in the tendon healing process. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 72 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a tendon crush group and a half-partial tendon laceration group. Four rats in each group were injected with radiotracers weekly for 4 weeks after surgery, with aluminum fluoride–labeled 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N′,N″-triacetic acid–conjugated FAP inhibitor (Al18F-NODA-FAPI-04) administered on the first day of each week and 18F-fludeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) on the next day. Small animal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging was performed, and tendon tissue was collected for pathology and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis each week after surgery. Results: One week after surgery, both radiotracers showed signal concentration at the lesion site, which was the highest radioactive uptake observed during 4 weeks postoperatively, consistent with the severity of the lesion. Consistent trends were observed for inflammatory cytokines during qRT-PCR analysis. Additionally, Al18F-NODA-FAPI-04 PET exhibited a more precise lesion pattern, attributed to its high specificity for naive fibroblasts when referring to histological findings. Over time, the uptake of both radiotracers at the injury site gradually decreased, with 18F-FDG experiencing a more rapid decrease than Al18F-NODA-FAPI-04. In the fourth week after surgery, the maximum standardized uptake values of Al18F-NODA-FAPI-04 in the injured lesion almost reverted to the baseline levels, indicating a substantial decrease in naive fibroblasts and inflammatory cells and a reduction in inflammation and fibrosis, especially compared with the first week. Corresponding trends were also revealed in pathological and qRT-PCR results. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that inflammation is a prominent feature during the early stage of tendon injury. Al18F-NODA-FAPI-04 PET allows accurate localization and provides detailed morphological imaging, enabling continuous monitoring of the healing progress and assessment of injury severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Gallium-68 (68Ga)–labeled somatostatin analog (SSA) PET imaging has been widely used in clinical practice of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Compared with 68Ga, 18F has a great practical and economic advantage. Although a few studies have shown the characteristics of [18F] AlF-NOTA-octreotide ([18F]-OC) in healthy volunteers and small NEN patient groups, its clinical value needs further investigation. Herein, this retrospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of [18F]-OC PET/CT in detecting NENs, as well as to compare it with contrast-enhanced CT/MRI. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 93 patients who had undergone [18F]-OC PET/CT and CT or MRI scans. Of these patients, there were 45 patients with suspected NENs for diagnostic evaluation, and 48 patients with pathologically confirmed NENs for detecting metastasis or recurrence. [18F]-OC PET/CT images were evaluated visually and semi-quantitatively by measuring maximum standardized uptake value of tumor (SUVmax), tumor-to-background SUVmax ratio (TBR), and SUVmax of hypophysis (SUVhypophysis). A total of 276 suspected NEN lesions were found in these 93 patients. The results of histopathology or radiographic follow-up served as the reference standard for the final diagnosis. Results: Forty-five patients with suspected NENs were confirmed by histopathological examination via resection or biopsy. [18F]-OC PET/CT showed high radiotracer uptake in the lesions of G1-G3 NENs. [18F]-OC PET/CT showed superior performance with 96.3% of sensitivity, 77.8% of specificity, and 88.9% of accuracy in diagnosing NENs compared to CT/MRI. When cutoffs of SUVmax, TBR, and SUVhypophysis were 8.3, 3.1, and 15.4, [18F]-OC PET/CT had the best equilibrium between sensitivity and specificity for differentiating NEN from non-NEN lesions. For a total of 276 suspected NEN lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of [18F]-OC PET/CT for diagnosis of NENs were 90.5%, 82.1%, and 88.8%, respectively, and were higher than those of CT and MRI. G1 and G2 NENs had higher TBR and lower CT enhancement intensity than G3. The SUVmax and TBR had a positive correlation with CT enhancement intensity in G2 rather than in G1 or G3. Conclusions: [18F]-OC PET/CT is a promising imaging modality for initial diagnosis and detecting metastasis or postoperative recurrence in NENs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]