Guobing Liu

99mTc-labelled anti-CD11b SPECT/CT imaging allows detection of plaque destabilization tightly linked to inflammation.

It remains challenging to predict the risk of rupture for a specific atherosclerotic plaque timely, a thrombotic trigger tightly linked to inflammation. CD11b, is a biomarker abundant on inflammatory cells, not restricted to monocytes/macrophages. In this study, we fabricated a probe named as 99mTc-MAG3-anti-CD11b for detecting inflamed atherosclerotic plaques with single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). The ApoE-knockout (ApoE−/−) mice were selected to establish animal models, with C57BL/6J mice used for control. A higher CD11b+-cell recruitment with higher CD11b expression and more serious whole-body inflammatory status were identified in ApoE−/− mice. The probe showed high in vitro affinity and specificity to the Raw-264.7 macrophages, as well as inflammatory cells infiltrated in atherosclerotic plaques, either in ex vivo fluorescent imaging or in in vivo micro-SPECT/CT imaging, which were confirmed by ex vivo planar gamma imaging, Oil-Red-O staining and CD11b-immunohistochemistry staining. A significant positive relationship was identified between the radioactivity intensity on SPECT/CT images and the CD11b expression in plaques. In summary, this study demonstrates the feasibility of anti-CD11b antibody mediated noninvasive SPECT/CT imaging of inflammatory leukocytes in murine atherosclerotic plaques. This imaging strategy can identify inflammation-rich plaques at risk for rupture and evaluate the effectiveness of inflammation-targeted therapies in atheroma.

Investigation of SP94 Peptide as a Specific Probe for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Imaging and Therapy

SP94 (SFSIIHTPILPL), a novel peptide, has shown specific binding to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. We aimed to investigate the capability of SP94 as a targeting probe for HCC imaging and therapy following labeling with technetium-99m (99mTc) and rhenium-188 (188Re). HYNIC-SP94 was prepared by solid phase synthesis and then labeled with 99mTc. Cell competitive binding, internalization assay, in vitro and in vivo stability, biodistribution and micro-single photon emission computed tomography /computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging studies were performed to investigate the capability of 99mTc tricine-EDDA/HYNIC-SP94 as a specific HCC imaging probe. Initial promising targeting results inspired evaluation of its therapeutic effect when labeled by 188Re. HYNIC-SP94 was then labeled again with 188Re to perform cell apoptosis, microSPECT/CT imaging evaluation and immunohistochemistry. Huh-7 cells exhibited typical apoptotic changes after 188Re irradiation. According to 99mTc tricine-EDDA/HYNIC-SP94 microSPECT/CT imaging, tumor uptake was significantly decreased compared with that of pre-treatment with 188Re-HYNIC-SP94. The immunohistochemistry also displayed obvious necrosis and apoptosis as well as inhibition of proliferation in the 188Re-HYNIC-SP94 treatment group. The results supported that 99mTc tricine-EDDA/HYNIC-SP94 is able to target HCC cells and 188Re-HYNIC- SP94 holds potential as a therapeutic agent for HCC, making 99mTc/188Re-HYNIC-SP94 a promising targeting probe for HCC imaging and therapy.

The combined effects of serum lipids, BMI, and fatty liver on 18F-FDG uptake in the liver in a large population from China: an 18F-FDG-PET/CT study.

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the combined effects of serum lipids, BMI, and fatty liver on the liver uptake of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG). MethodsA total of 676 individuals were retrospectively studied. The mean standardized uptake value (SUV) was used to quantify liver 18F-FDG uptake. Univariate analyses and multivariate regression models identified variables that predicted the mean liver SUV before and after dichotomizing participants into low and high BMI groups. ResultsThe mean liver SUV (1.831±0.417) differed significantly among nutritional categories (P=0.005) and degrees of fatty liver (P<0.001). An increase in mean liver SUV was noted in individuals with mild and moderate fatty liver compared with normal individuals and in overweight individuals compared with underweight individuals, whereas a downward trend was identified in both individuals with severe fatty liver and those who were obese. BMI had the strongest association with severity of fatty liver (r=0.443, P<0.001). Triglyceride, HDL, apolipoprotein-A, age, and BMI were independent variables predicting liver SUV mean in the whole population, whereas fatty liver severity presented as an independent variable only in the low BMI population (P=0.031). ConclusionBMI, age, triglyceride, HDL, and apolipoprotein-A were independent variables predicting liver 18F-FDG uptake. Mild and moderate degree of fatty liver had a positive effect on liver 18F-FDG uptake, whereas a severe degree of fatty liver negatively affected 18F-FDG uptake. Attention should be paid to liver metabolism in patients with fatty liver before using liver as the comparator in determining focal 18F-FDG uptake elsewhere within the abdomen.

Solitary ground-glass opacity nodules of stage IA pulmonary adenocarcinoma: combination of 18F-FDG PET/CT and high-resolution computed tomography features to predict invasive adenocarcinoma

To investigate the performance of combined 18F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography with high-resolution CT for differentiating invasive adenocarcinoma from adenocarcinoma in situ (pre-invasive lesion) or minimally invasive adenocarcinoma in stage IA lung cancer patients with solitary ground-glass opacity nodules. This retrospective study enrolled 58 consecutive stage IA pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with solitary ground-glass opacity nodules. The characteristics and measurements of the ground-glass opacity nodules as pure ground-glass opacity nodules and mixed ground-glass opacity nodules in the pre-invasive or minimally invasive adenocarcinoma and invasive adenocarcinoma groups on Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and high-resolution CT were compared and analyzed. Ground-glass opacity nodules in the pre-invasive or minimally invasive adenocarcinoma group preferentially manifested as pure ground-glass opacity nodule (p < 0.01) compared to the invasive adenocarcinoma group. While cystic appearance was more common in the invasive adenocarcinoma group (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found in the diameter of the ground-glass opacity nodule itself and its solid component, and consolidation/tumor ratio between the two groups. The sensitivity in predicting invasive adenocarcinoma was higher with a combined consolidation/tumor ratio > 0.38 and SUVmax > 1.46 in mixed ground-glass opacity nodule when compared to those of SUVmax > 0.95 alone or consolidation/tumor ratio> 0.39 alone (both p > 0.05). For a mixed ground-glass opacity nodule combined consolidation/tumor ratio > 0.38 and SUVmax > 1.46 appears to better predict invasive adenocarcinoma in stage IA lung cancer patients with solitary ground-glass opacity nodules.

Re-188 Enhances the Inhibitory Effect of Bevacizumab in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

The malignant behaviors of solid tumors such as growth, infiltration and metastasis are mainly nourished by tumor neovascularization. Thus, anti-angiogenic therapy is key to controlling tumor progression. Bevacizumab, a humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody, plus chemotherapy or biological therapy can prolong survival for cancer patients, but treatment-related mortality is a concern. To improve inhibitory effect and decrease side-effects on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we used Re-188, which is a β emitting radionuclide, directly labeled with bevacizumab for radioimmunotherapy in a human A549 tumor model. Cytotoxic assay data showed that, after 188ReO4− or 188Re-bevacizumab at different concentration for 4 and 24 h, a time- and radioactivity does-dependent reduction in cell viability occurred. Also, an apoptosis assay conformed great apoptosis in the 188Re-bevacizumab group compared with controls and other treatment groups. In vivo, tumor volumes in the 188Re-bevacizumab (11.1 MBq/mice) group were not reduced but growth was delayed compared with other groups. Thus, 188Re-bevacizumab enhanced the therapeutic effect of bevacizumab, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for NSCLC treatment.

The value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of uterine intravenous leiomyomatosis extended into the right atrium.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) of the uterus is a rare neoplasm which usually occurs after hysterectomy. Due to its rarity and non-specific clinical manifestations, IVL is commonly misdiagnosed as malignant thrombus or thrombosis and treated inappropriately. Herein, we report an unusual case of a 51 years old woman with IVL without hysterectomy or abdominal manifestations. The IVL was detected in the right atrium. This case highlights the usefulness of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of IVL.

Functional changes in patients with internet addiction disclosed by adenosine stressed cerebral blood flow perfusion imaging (99m)Tc-ECD SPET.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the abnormal cerebral blood flow (CBF) perfusion in patients with internet addiction (IA) and its possible association with IA severity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty-five adolescents who met the criteria for IA and 12 matched healthy volunteers were recruited for (99m)Tc-ethylcysteinate dimer based CBF perfusion imaging with single photon emission tomography (SPET) both at rest and in adenosine-stressed state. Regional CBF (rCBF) was measured and compared between IA subjects and the controls. Correlation analysis between those abnormal rCBF in adenosine-stressed state and the duration of IA was performed. RESULTS At the resting state, the IA individuals showed significantly increased rCBF in the left mid-frontal gyrus and left angular gyrus, but significantly decreased in the left paracentral lobule, compared to the controls. In adenosine-stressed state, more cerebral regions with abnormal rCBF were identified. Specifically, increased rCBF was identified in the right paracentral lobule, right mid-frontal gyrus and left superior temporal gyrus, while decreased rCBF were demonstrated in right transverse temporal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus and left precuneus. Those rCBF in rCBF-increased regions in stress state were positively correlated with the duration of IA, while those in rCBF-decreased regions were negatively correlated with the duration of IA. CONCLUSION We present specific functional changes in behaviour that may appear in IA patients related to the CBF findings in IA patients. Adenosine can be used as a pharmacological agent for stress CBF perfusion imaging in patients with IA, by which more cerebral regions of abnormal rCBF can be identified compared to the state at rest. These abnormal rCBF may indicate the neurological mechanism in IA patients.