Agnieszka Stefanska

99mTc Labeled Glucagon-Like Peptide-1-Analogue (99mTc-GLP1) Scintigraphy in the Management of Patients with Occult Insulinoma

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the utility of [Lys40(Ahx-HYNIC-99mTc/EDDA)NH2]-exendin-4 scintigraphy in the management of patients with hypoglycemia, particularly in the detection of occult insulinoma. Materials and Methods Forty patients with hypoglycemia and increased/confusing results of serum insulin and C-peptide concentration and negative/inconclusive results of other imaging examinations were enrolled in the study. In all patients GLP-1 receptor imaging was performed to localise potential pancreatic lesions. Results Positive results of GLP-1 scintigraphy were observed in 28 patients. In 18 patients postsurgical histopathological examination confirmed diagnosis of insulinoma. Two patients had contraindications to the surgery, one patient did not want to be operated. One patient, who presented with postprandial hypoglycemia, with positive result of GLP-1 imaging was not qualified for surgery and is in the observational group. Eight patients were lost for follow up, among them 6 patients with positive GLP-1 scintigraphy result. One patient with negative scintigraphy was diagnosed with malignant insulinoma. In two patients with negative scintigraphy Munchausen syndrome was diagnosed (patients were taking insulin). Other seven patients with negative results of 99mTcGLP-1 scintigraphy and postprandial hypoglycemia with C-peptide and insulin levels within the limits of normal ranges are in the observational group. We would like to mention that 99mTc-GLP1-SPECT/CT was also performed in 3 pts with nesidioblastosis (revealing diffuse tracer uptake in two and a focal lesion in one case) and in two patients with malignant insulinoma (with the a focal uptake in the localization of a removed pancreatic headin one case and negative GLP-1 1 scintigraphy in the other patient). Conclusions 99mTc-GLP1-SPECT/CT could be helpful examination in the management of patients with hypoglycemia enabling proper localization of the pancreatic lesion and effective surgical treatment. This imaging technique may eliminate the need to perform invasive procedures in case of occult insulinoma.

Are RECIST criteria sufficient to assess response to therapy in neuroendocrine tumors

MATERIAL AND METHODS Within the group of 47 patients treated with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), four patients were chosen: three with inoperable tumors without liver metastases and one with two lesions in the pancreas and metastases. RESULTS In all patients, after PRRT, the changes in the sum of the longest diameters of tumors were between -1% and -21%, resulting in stable disease reported [strict Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)]. But the measurements of tumor volume and attenuation in computed tomography and the tumor to nontumor ratio in somatostatin receptor scintigraphy resulted in different response assessments. CONCLUSIONS The RECIST standard may be not sufficient to properly assess the therapy response in patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Can treatment using radiolabelled somatostatin analogue increase the survival rate in patients with non-functioning neuroendocrine pancreatic tumours?

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in patients with non-functioning neuroendocrine pancreatic tumours (NFPNTs) and to compare survival rates in patients with NFPNTs and in patients with other neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) treated using radiolabelled somatostatin analogue in our Department. We would like to analyze factors potentially determining the effectiveness of the therapy and also to assess the myelo- and nephrotoxicity. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fourteen patients with disseminated disease and/or inoperable NFPNT were qualified to PRRT based on positive SRS (somatostatin receptor scintigraphy). There were 5 men and 9 women, with Karnofskys index>70%. RESULTS In the whole group of patients, partial response was observed in 21.4%, stabilization of the disease in 42.9%, and progression of the disease in 35.7% of patients. Mean observation time was 19±13 months, mean time to progression was 12±9 months, and mean time to death was 16±9 months. Six patients died--four of them due to progression of the disease, two due to myocardial infarction. After PRRT we did not observe clinically significant haemotoxicity and/or nephrotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS 1. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy may be a safe and effective treatment option in patients with NFPNTs, leading to stabilization or regression of the disease in the majority of patients. 2. There is no statistically significant difference in survival rate between patients with NFPNTs and NETs of other localization treated with PRRT.

Epidemiologia nowotworów neuroendokrynnych układu pokarmowego w Krakowie i powiecie krakowskim w latach 2007-2011.

INTRODUCTION Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEPNEN) are rare and heterogeneous tumours with variable biology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of GEPNEN in the population of Krakow and Krakow district in 2007-2011. MATERIAL AND METHODS The Database of the Chair and Department of Endocrinology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, comprising the data on NEN cases collected from the Endocrinology Department, University Hospital in Krakow and from independent sources: surgery, pathology, and endocrinology departments located in the Krakow area, was searched for cases of GEPNEN patients living in Krakow and Krakow district, diagnosed between 2007 and 2011. Eighty-eight such patients (39 males, 49 females, median age at diagnosis 59 ± 17 years) were identified and characterised. RESULTS The mean follow-up time was 2.67 ± 1.6 years. The most frequent primary location of GEPNEN was small intestine (20%), followed by the appendix (18%), stomach (16%), pancreas (16%), rectum (15%), and colon (15%). NENG1 predominated (64%) in the analysed group. Most well-differentiated GEPNEN (63%) were diagnosed at stage I; however, 18% of them were diagnosed at stage IV. Metastases at diagnosis were found in 31% of patients. The GEPNEN incidence rate in 2007-2011 was 2.1/100000 inhabitants/year, without significant increase during the studied period. CONCLUSIONS GEPNEN incidence and epidemiology in the population of Krakow and Krakow district is similar to the incidence observed in most European countries. Registers are important tools to evaluate GEPNEN epidemiology. (Endokrynol Pol 2017; 68 (1): 42-46).