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P Angelberger

Publications and source records attributed to P Angelberger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Location of a VIPoma by iodine-123-vasoactive intestinal peptide scintigraphy.

A major problem in patients with small endocrine tumors is the difficulty in localizing the primary tumor site. Many endocrine tumors possess larger amounts of high affinity vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) binding sites compared with normal tissue or blood cells. We used radiolabeled VIP to localize the tumor site in a patient with Verner-Morrison syndrome (VMS). Under octreotide therapy, the VIP levels had declined in this patient, but a tumor site could not be detected by conventional techniques or by radiolabeled octreotide. However, using 123I-VIP, the tumor was detectable in the pancreatic tail. Surgical resection of the tumor was followed by complete remission of the VMS. Expression of VIP binding sites in the tumor was confirmed by a radioreceptor assay and showed cross-competition between VIP and octreotide. The identity of the VIP binding site in the tumor was analyzed by Northern blotting and revealed the expression of somatostatin receptor subtype 3, which binds both somatostatin-14 and VIP with higher affinity than octreotide. Iodine-123-VIP scintigraphy would be an effective tracer to identity the tumor site in VMS patients.

Adult↗

Indium-111-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide and technetium-99m-(V)-dimercaptosuccinic acid scanning in the preoperative staging of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: The early detection of all tumor sites in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) before primary surgery is important, because MTC tends to metastasize to regional lymph nodes of the neck and mediastinum early during the course of the disease. METHODS: In an approach to localize the primary tumor sites and to detect additional tumor involvement, we have performed in 22 patients with MTC either 99mTc(V)-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and/or 111In-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-D-Phe-1-octreotide scintigraphy. RESULTS: Indium-111-octreotide (150-200 MBq) identified the primary tumor in 10 of 14 patients (71%), whereas the primary tumor was visualized by 99mTc-DMSA (300-370 MBq) in 10 of 17 patients (58%). In 8 of 22 patients (36%), lymph node metastases were present at the time of diagnosis, as confirmed by histopathology and histochemistry after surgery (all <2 mm). Preoperatively, neither scan was able to detect lymph node involvement in these patients (0/8). CONCLUSION: Both 99mTc-DMSA and 111In-octreotide studies have similar sensitivity to localize primary MTC; however, these scans are not able to detect small lymph node involvement (micrometastases) before initial surgery. Unfortunately, both scans have no clinical implication for preoperative staging in patients with MTC.

Carcinoma, Medullary↗

Indium-111-DOTA-lanreotide: biodistribution, safety and radiation absorbed dose in tumor patients.

UNLABELLED: Imaging with radiolabeled somatostatin/vasoactive intestinal peptide analogs has recently been established for the localization diagnosis of a variety of human tumors including neuroendocrine tumors, intestinal adenocarcinomas and lymphomas. This study reports on the biodistribution, safety and radiation absorbed dose of 111In-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N",N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-lanreotide, a novel peptide tracer, which identifies hSST receptor (R) subtypes 2 through 5 with high affinity, and hSSTR1 with low affinity. METHODS: The tumor localizing capacity of 111In-DOTA-lanreotide was initially investigated in 10 patients (3 lymphomas, 5 carcinoids and 2 intestinal adenocarcinomas). Indium-111 -DOTA-lanreotide was then administered to 14 cancer patients evaluated for possible radiotherapy with 90Y-DOTA-lanreotide (8 neuroendocrine tumors, 4 intestinal adenocarcinomas, 1 Hodgkin lymphoma and 1 prostate cancer). After intravenous administration of 111In-DOTA-lanreotide (approximately = 150 MBq; 10 nmol/patient), sequential images over one-known tumor site were recorded during the initial 30 min after peptide application. Thereafter, whole-body images were acquired in anterior and posterior views up to 72 hr postinjection. Dosimetry calculations were performed on the basis of scintigraphic data, urine, feces and blood activities. A comparison with 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide (111In-OCT) scintigraphy was performed in 8 of the patients. RESULTS: After an initial rapid blood clearance [results of biexponential fits: T(eff1) 0.4 min (fraction a1 80%) and T(eff2) 13 min (fraction a2 14%)], the radioactivity was excreted into the urine and amounted to 42% +/- 3% of the injected dose (%ID) within 24 hr and 62% +/- 6%ID within 72 hr after injection of 111In-DOTA-lanreotide. In all patients, tumor sites were visualized during the initial minutes after injection of 111In-DOTA-lanreotide. The mean radiation absorbed dose amounted to 1.2 (range 0.21-5.8) mGy/MBq for primary tumors and/or metastases. The effective half-lives of 111In-DOTA-lanreotide in the tumors were T(eff1) 4.9 +/- 2.2 and T(eff2) 37.6 +/- 6.6 hr, and the mean residence time tau was 1.8 hr. The highest radiation absorbed doses were calculated for the spleen (0.39 +/- 0.13 mGy/MBq), kidneys (0.34 +/- 0.08 mGy/MBq), urinary bladder (0.21 +/- 0.03 mGy/MBq) and liver (0.16 +/- 0.04 mGy/MBq). The effective dose was 0.11 +/- 0.01 (range 0.09-0.12) mSv/MBq. During the observation period of 72 hr, no side effects were noted after 111In-DOTA-lanreotide application. The 111In-DOTA-lanreotide radiation absorbed tumor dose was significantly higher (ratio 2.25 +/- 0.60, p < 0.01) when directly compared with 111In-OCT. CONCLUSION: Indium-111 -DOTA-lanreotide shows a high tumor uptake for a variety of different human tumor types, has a favorable dosimetry over 111In-OCT and is clinically safe.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Response to treatment with yttrium 90-DOTA-lanreotide of a patient with metastatic gastrinoma.

1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N",N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-lanreotide is a universal somatostatin (SST) receptor subtype ligand that binds to a large variety of human tumors. We report the case of a patient with metastatic gastrinoma who was treated with 90Y-DOTA-lanreotide. Before treatment, dosimetry with 111In-DOTA-lanreotide (150 MBq, 10 nmol) indicated a dose of 5.8 mGy/MBq for the recurrent abdominal gastrinoma, and a mean dose of approximately 1.0 mGy/MBq for liver metastases (i.e., 56 and approximately 10 mGy/MBq for 90Y-DOTA-lanreotide, respectively). After four infusions of 90Y-DOTA-lanreotide (each 1 GBq, approximately 30 nmol) over a 6-mo period, the 111In-DOTA-lanreotide scintigraphy of the liver had returned to a nearly normal condition and a remarkably decreased uptake by the recurrent gastrinoma was calculated (approximately 5 mGy/MBq for 90Y-DOTA-lanreotide). The imaging results were well-correlated with a 25% regression of the liver metastases as indicated by CT. Blood, urine and whole-body clearances of 111In-DOTA-lanreotide and 90Y-DOTA-lanreotide were very similar. The DOTA-lanreotide promises to be useful for functional tumor diagnosis (111In-DOTA-lanreotide) and receptor-mediated tumor radiotherapy (90Y-DOTA-lanreotide).

Gastrinoma↗

Determination of nociceptin-like immunoreactivity in the rat dorsal spinal cord.

An endogenous ligand for the opioid receptor-like (ORL1) receptor has been characterized recently. This 17 amino acid peptide, nociceptin, has potent effects on pain processing in experimental animals. In the present study, we describe the development of a radio-immunoassay for nociceptin, suitable for quantification of immunoreactivity in the rat spinal cord. in the dorsal spinal cord we found 641 fmol nociceptin-like immunoreactivity (IR)/mg protein, while in the ventral spinal cord the amount was below the detection limit of the assay (11 fmol/mg protein). High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the immunoreactive material was heterogeneous with the major part eluting at the position of synthetic nociceptin. The presence of nociceptin in the dorsal spinal cord is compatible with its proposed involvement in modulating afferent transmission.

Animals↗

Monitoring of the biodistribution and biokinetics of dysprosium-165 ferric hydroxide with a shadow-shield whole-body counter.

Radiation synovectomy is indicated when conventional pharmacological treatment of chronic synovitis has proved insufficient. In these cases dysprosium-165 ferric hydroxide (DFH) has been demonstrated to be clinically effective. After application of the agent, blood activity measurements and monitoring of activity distribution by gamma camera imaging over the local lymph nodes and the liver are commonly performed for control of possible leakage. In addition, we have used a shadow-shield whole-body counter with a profile facility to evaluate the biokinetics and biodistribution of 165Dy-DFH. Fifteen intra-articular injections were performed in 13 patients who received a median activity of 6.8 GBq (range 0.5-9.9 GBq) 165Dy-DFH. Activity profiles were obtained with the whole-body counter 2, 4 and 6 h after injection of 165Dy-DFH. The doses to non-target organs were calculated using the software MIRDOSE 3. In 10 of 15 treatments, absence of any leakage could be demonstrated. The effect of scattered rays could be observed in 14 measurements. In three patients small amounts of activity could be detected in the urinary bladder and in three patients activity was detected in the local inguinal lymph nodes, while no leakage could be detected by camera imaging. In these cases the individual doses to the bladder were 15 Gy, 65 mGy and 50 mGy, and those to the lymph nodes, 0.54 Gy, 0.89 Gy and 2.41 Gy. The whole-body counter also enabled the monitoring of activity profiles related to more complex pathological structures. In conclusion, using a whole-body counter activity leakage could be detected with much higher sensitivity than by using a gamma camera. The biodistribution of 165Dy-DFH could be determined, and leakage could be localised and related to organs. These results encourage the use of a whole-body counter to identify the site and extent of activity leakage.

Adult↗

Imaging of dopamine transporters with iodine-123-beta-CIT and SPECT in Parkinson's disease.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the degeneration of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway in Parkinson's disease by using the cocaine derivative [123I]beta-CIT (2-beta-carbomethoxy-3-beta(4-iodophenyl)-tropane or RTI-55) and SPECT and to relate the findings to the severity of the disease (Hoehn and Yahr scale, H/Y) and to clinical data such as motor score and activities of daily living. METHODS: Thirteen volunteers and 47 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) of H/Y Stage I-V (I:n = 16, II:n = 6, III:n = 14, IV:n = 9, V:n = 2) were investigated. Acquisitions were performed 2, 4, 16, 20 and 24 hr postinjection. ROIs were drawn over the striatum and the cerebellum. Specific beta-CIT binding was defined as striatal minus cerebellar binding. The ratio of specific over nondisplaceable binding (striatum/cerebellum-1) was determined as well as the percent deviation of this ratio from age-expected control values. RESULTS: The time-activity curve of striatal [123I]beta-CIT binding demonstrated a maximum around 20 hr postinjection in controls and a peak 4 hr postinjection in PD patients. Ratios differed significantly between the two groups. A significant correlation existed between this ratio and clinical measures. Hemiparkinsonian patients revealed significantly diminished [123I]beta-CIT binding not only contralateral to the clinically affected but also contralateral to the clinically unaffected side. [123I]beta-CIT binding showed a significant decrease in comparison to age-expected values ranging from 36% in H/Y stage 1 to 71% in H/Y stage V. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that it is possible to visualize and quantify the degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons in PD using [123I]beta-CIT and SPECT with good correlation to clinical parameters.

Adult↗

Inhalation scintigraphy with iodine-123-labeled interferon gamma-1b: pulmonary deposition and dose escalation study in healthy volunteers.

UNLABELLED: Recent studies have suggested that recombinant interferon gamma (IFNg) may be useful in the treatment of various respiratory diseases, such as chronic inflammatory disease. This study was undertaken to investigate the dose response of escalating doses of inhaled 123I-labeled IFNg (123I-IFNg) and its safety, biodistribution and radiation absorbed doses in healthy volunteers. METHODS: IFNg was labeled with 123I to produce a specific activity of 1800 MBq/mg of IFNg. The biological activities of 123I-IFNg, nebulized 123I-IFNg and unlabeled IFNg were evaluated in various functional in vitro tests. Ten healthy volunteers were enrolled in the in vivo dose escalation study (180 MBq of 123I-IFNg diluted with 0.1-2 mg of INFg). Inhalation scintigraphy, using a Pari-Master nebulizer, was performed for up to 37 min, during which dynamic posterior images of the lungs were obtained. Whole-body scanning was performed at various time points up to 24 hr postinjection, for biodistribution and dosimetry purposes. Blood, urine and feces were also collected over this 24-hr period. Lung perfusion scintigraphy with 99mTc-microspheres was performed at the end of the study for attenuation correction. RESULTS: Inhaled nebulized IFNg showed a uniform deposition pattern in the lungs with deposition ratios of 0.74 (central-to-peripheral) and 0.78 (upper-to-lower). The lung deposition of IFNg was time-dependent, with a deposition half-time between 1 and 5 min. Despite a large interindividual variation, the total lung deposition was proportional to the nebulizer charge and was 53 +/- 12% of the inhaled dose and 19 +/- 7% of the initial nebulizer charge (between 0.1 and 2 mg of IFNg). The biological half-life in the lung could be fitted to a biexponential function, with resultant half-lives of 1 and 11 hr. Blood activity was maximal at 3.5 hr after inhalation and was due to free iodine. The radioactivity was excreted through both the urinary and intestinal tracts. Plasma IFNg levels did not significantly increase over time, and no significant HLA-DR induction on peripheral blood cells was detected. The highest radiation absorbed doses of 0.14 and 0.19 mGy/MBq were determined for the trachea and the lower intestines, respectively. The effective dose equivalent was 0.05 mSv/MBq. CONCLUSION: After inhalation with the Pari-Master nebulizer, IFNg deposits normally in the lungs and shows no systemic effects in healthy volunteers.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Iodine-123-epidepride-SPECT: studies in Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy and Huntington's disease.

UNLABELLED: Epidepride is a benzamide derivative with very high affinity for D2 receptors, which, in its [123I]-labeled form, can be used for SPECT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of [123I]epidepride-SPECT for the differential diagnosis of movement disorders. METHODS: SPECT imaging with a triple-headed scintillation camera was performed in 9 patients with Parkinson's disease, 9 patients with probable multiple system atrophy (MSA), 1 patient with progressive supranuclear palsy, 16 patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and 14 controls, 3 hr after the intravenous injection of 3.7 +/- 1.3 mCi of [123I]epidepride. The striatum-to-cerebellum ratio - 1, reflecting the specific-to-nondisplaceable binding ratio, was used as a semiquantitative measure of D2 receptor binding. RESULTS: Kinetic studies showed peak striatal uptake about 3 hr postinjection and a slow decline thereafter. The striatum-to-cerebellum ratio - 1 was significantly reduced in MSA (11.8 +/- 3.9, compared to controls, 19.0 +/- 6.3; p < 0.01) and in patients with HD (8.8 +/- 3.2; p < 0.00005) but normal in Parkinson's disease (15.8 +/- 3.6; not significant). A high interindividual variation of specific striatal epidepride binding (striatum - cerebellum; cpm/mCi x kg) was found in controls and in all patient groups. The interindividual variation of striatum-to-cerebellum ratios was lower but still considerable. In half of the MSA patients, the specific-to-nondisplaceable binding ratio fell within the range of controls. The use of various cortical reference regions did not improve discrimination between MSA and controls or Parkinson's disease patients, respectively. The discrimination of HD patients from controls was better, with overlap in only two cases. In one HD patient, calculation of the striatum-to-cerebellum ratio was almost impossible due to extremely low nonspecific binding. Possible explanations for the large variation of the ratios, resulting in an overlap between controls and different patient groups, are very low counting rates in the reference region and the fact that a transient binding equilibrium may not be achieved after bolus injection of epidepride. CONCLUSION: Epidepride appears to be a useful SPECT ligand for studying dopamine D2 receptors. However, its markedly higher specific-to-nondisplaceable binding ratio in comparison to those of iodobenzamide or other D2 ligands did not result in a better discrimination between different basal ganglia disorders. The calculation of plasma input curves and volumes of distribution might improve the accuracy of [123I]epidepride-SPECT.

Adult↗

Distinction between hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia and malignant liver lesions using technetium-99m-galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin.

UNLABELLED: Distinction between hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and malignant liver lesions is essential because of the different therapy strategies, since FNH can be managed conservatively. The aim of this study was to describe the imaging pattern of FNH using the hepatocyte receptor ligand 99mTc-galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin 99mTc-NGA) and to assess the value of this receptor imaging agent in the differentiation of FNH from malignant liver lesions. METHODS: Twelve consecutive patients with histologically confirmed FNH were investigated. The FNH-lesions were asymptomatic and incidentally found by ultrasonography. Nine patients with histologically verified hepatocellular carcinomas and three patients with liver metastases spread from gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas served as controls. RESULTS: All FNH lesions showed normal or even increased uptake of 99mTc-NGA. Whereas malignant liver lesion-to-normal liver ratios amounted to 0.4 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- s.d.), FNH lesion-to-normal liver ratios were 1.7 +/- 0.3 (mean +/- s.d.). CONCLUSION: The receptor imaging agent 99mTc-NGA with concurrent use of SPECT is useful in the differential diagnosis of FNH and malignant hepatic tumors.

Adult↗

In vitro and in vivo studies of three radiolabelled somatostatin analogues: 123I-octreotide (OCT), 123I-Tyr-3-OCT and 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-OCT.

Scintigraphy with long-acting somatostatin (SST) analogues may be useful for the localization of tumours expressing receptors (R) for SST. In this study we have analysed the in vitro and in vivo binding properties of three SST analogues, 123I-octreotide (OCT), 123I-Tyr-3-OCT and 111In-DTPA-d-Phe-1-OCT. In vitro binding studies performed with a variety of primary tumours (n=48) as well as with several tumour cell lines (A431, HT29, PANC1, COLO320, HMC1, KU812) indicated significant in vitro binding of these three radiolabelled SST analogues to two subpopulations of SSTR, high (Kd 0.2-2.0 nM) and low (Kd 5-15 nM) affinity ones. The number of SSTR on tumour cells was at least a 1000-fold higher as compared with normal peripheral blood cells. Comparative scintigraphic studies using 123I-OCT and/or 123I-Tyr-3-OCT and/or 111In-DTPA-d-Phe-1-OCT were performed in 21 patients with histologically verified intestinal carcinoid tumours. Corresponding scintigraphic results were obtained in 18 of 21 patients investigated with two different SSTR ligands, either 123I-OCT/123I-Tyr-3-OCT (four of five), 123I-OCT/111In-DTPA-d-Phe-1-OCT (eight of nine), or 123I-Tyr-3-OCT/111In-DTPA-d-Phe-1-OCT (six of seven). We conclude that various tumours express high amounts of SSTR which are recognized by three radiolabelled SST analogues: 123I-OCT, 123I-Tyr-3-OCT and 111In-DTPA-d-Phe-1-OCT. Differences between these SST analogues in their in vitro binding and/or in vivo scanning properties are observed in a minority of patients. Thus, the labelling of OCT with iodine may be an alternative approach for those nuclear medicine departments for which 111In-DTPA-d-Phe-1-OCT is not easily available, or is too expensive.

Adolescent↗

Combined use of 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide (OCT) and 123I-vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the localization diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

Although serum calcitonin and CEA are sensitive indicators for the presence of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), the localization of tumor sites may be very difficult. In an approach to localize MTC lesions we performed comparative in vivo studies in 12 patients with primary MTC and in 4 patients with suspected recurrent MTC using 123I-VIP (150 MBq/1 microgram) and 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide (111In-OCT; 150 MBq/1 microgram). Despite elevated calcitonin values in all patients with suspected recurrent or metastatic lesions, both ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) were unable to localize a tumor site. 111In-OCT localized the primary tumor in the thyroid gland in 7 of 11 patients (63.5%). In 2 of 4 patients (50%) with suspected recurrent MTC, pathological uptake of 111In-OCT in the mediastinum or liver was demonstrable. In none of the 11 patients did 123I-VIP-receptor scanning indicate primary, recurrent, or metastatic tumor lesions. In vitro binding studies showed an absence of high-affinity VIP receptors in MTC tissue, whereas high-affinity 111In-OCT receptors were present in 4 of 6, and low-affinity 123I-VIP as well as 111In-OCT receptors were present in 6 of 6 MTC tissue samples. We conclude that somatostatin receptor scanning using 111In-OCT may visualize primary MTC, but it has only a low sensitivity in the detection of recurrent disease. The 123I-VIP-receptor scan is not helpful in the localization diagnosis of primary or recurrent MTC.

Adult↗

123I-vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor scanning: update of imaging results in patients with adenocarcinomas and endocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.

Recent data suggest that functional receptors (R) for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are expressed on various tumor cells. The high-level expression of VIPR on tumor cells provided the basis for the successful use of 123I-labeled VIP for the in vivo localization of intestinal adenocarcinomas and endocrine tumors. We here report an update of our imaging results using 123I-VIP (150-200 MBg/1 microgram/patient) in 169 patients. In patients with pancreatic adenocarcinomas without liver metastases, the primary/recurrent tumor was visualized in 16 of 18 patients (89%) and liver metastases were imaged in 15 of 16 patients. In 11 of 12 patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas, the primary/recurrent tumor (92%) was imaged by 123I-VIP. Also, in 21 of 25 patients, liver metastases (84%); in 3 of 6 patients, lung metastases (50%); and in 4 of 5 patients, lymph-node metastases (80%) were imaged by 123I-VIP. In 10 of 10 patients with gastric adenocarcinomas, the primary/recurrent tumor; in 3 of 4 patients, liver metastases; and in 2 of 2 patients, lymph-node metastases were visualized by 123I-VIP. 123I-VIP localized primary intestinal carcinoid tumors in 15 of 17 patients (88%) and 8 of 10 primary insulinomas (80%). We conclude that the 123I-VIPR scintigraphy localizes intestinal adenocarcinomas and endocrine tumors as well as metastatic tumor sites.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Comparison of iodine-123-vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor scintigraphy and indium-111-CYT-103 immunoscintigraphy.

UNLABELLED: Recently, we have shown that the expression of receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on intestinal adenocarcinomas can be used for in vivo targeting of primary or metastatic tumor sites using 123I-labeled VIP. Several other receptors and antigens including the TAG-72 protein have also been implemented for in vivo localization purposes. In this study, we have compared the in vitro and in vivo binding of 123I-VIP and of the 111In-labeled monoclonal antibody (MAb) directed against TAG-72 (OncoScint; 111In-CR-103) in patients with intestinal adenocarcinomas in a single-blinded, prospectively randomized trial. METHODS: Twenty patients were administered either 123I-VIP (150-200 MBq; 1 microgram) or 111In-CYT-103 (150 MBq; 1 mg) for one imaging study. After interim analysis demonstrated superior imaging with 123I-VIP, the next 10 patients (accounting for a total of 50 patients) enrolled in this trial underwent both studies in random order to allow for a direct comparison. RESULTS: In total, 123I-VIP scans were true-positive in 28 of 30 patients (93%) versus 17 of 30 patients administered 111In-CYT-103 (56%). In the subgroup of 10 patients enrolled in the second part of the study, primary intestinal adenocarcinomas were imaged in five of five patients with 123I-VIP and in only two of these patients with 111In-CYT-103. Liver metastases were visualized in five of six patients by 123I-VIP receptor scanning and in four of these patients with 111In-CYT-103. The in vitro results indicated significant binding of 123I-VIP to primary colorectal tumors as well as to HT29 and COLO320 adenocarcinoma cells. In vitro, adenocarcinoma cells also expressed abundant numbers of the TAG-72 antigen. CONCLUSION: Intestinal adenocarcinomas co-express VIP receptors and the IAG-72 antigen. Despite significant in vitro binding of both agents, however, the VIP receptor scan is more sensitive in localizing intestinal adenocarcinomas and metastatic spread.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Dopamine D2 receptor imaging in pituitary adenomas using iodine-123-epidepride and SPECT.

UNLABELLED: Epidepride is a novel benzamide derivative with high affinity for D2 receptors. Epidepride, in its 123I-labeled form, can be used for SPECT imaging of striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D2 receptors. The present study evaluated the usefulness of epidepride and SPECT for in vivo imaging of dopamine receptors in pituitary adenomas. METHODS: SPECT imaging was performed in 19 patients with pituitary adenomas (among them 9 patients had prolactinoma, 4 acromegaly, 4 clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma, 1 Cushing's disease and 1 Nelson's syndrome) and 7 control subjects 180 min after intravenous bolus injection of 3.9 +/- 1.1 mCi [123I]epidepride. The ratio target/cerebellum minus 1, reflecting specific/ nonspecific binding was used as semiquantitative measure of D2 receptor binding. RESULTS: Eight of nine prolactinoma patients demonstrated specific binding within the adenoma. The adenoma/ cerebellum ratio 3 hr p.i. showed a wide variation with values from 2.5-33. In three prolactinomas, binding was higher than in the striatum. Specific binding within the lower range of prolactinomas (adenoma/cerebellum ratios 2 and 4.8) could be demonstrated in two of four GH-secreting adenomas. All four nonfunctioning tumors showed specific binding. The adenoma/cerebellum ratio was within the lower range of prolactinomas (5.2-7.5) in three of these patients but extremely high in one (52.3). No specific tracer uptake could be demonstrated in patients with Cushing's disease or Nelson's syndrome. The striatum/cerebellum ratio 3 hr p.i. in pituitary adenoma patients was not significantly different from control subjects (17.3 +/- 5.5 versus 17.8 +/- 6.6; patients versus control subjects). CONCLUSION: Epidepride appears to be an excellent ligand for in vivo imaging of dopamine D2 receptors in pituitary adenomas. Epidepride SPECT could serve as a predictor for response to dopamine agonist treatment.

Acromegaly↗

SPECT imaging of dopamine receptors with [123I]epidepride: characterization of uptake in the human brain.

[123I]Epidepride is a new ligand for single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) that specifically labels D2-like dopamine receptors with very high affinity. Here, we report on the regional kinetic uptake of [123I]epidepride in the brain of 4 normal volunteers and 3 patients with choreatic movement disorders. In healthy subjects striatal activity peaked at 2.5 hours after injection of the tracer and decreased slowly thereafter. There were no significant differences between left and right brain hemispheres. Activity above background was also measurable in areas corresponding to the thalamus, temporal cortex and frontal cortex. The striatal to cerebellar ratio was about 14 after 2.5 hours and this ratio steadily increased with time. The striatal to cerebellar ratio was clearly reduced in all 3 patients with choreatic movement disorders (from about 14 in control subjects after 2.5 hours to about 7 in choreatic patients). [123I]Epidepride may be a useful SPECT ligand for studying D2 receptors in the living human brain because of its high target to background ratio, its high affinity and the possibility to investigate extrastriatal D2 receptors.

Adult↗

beta-CIT SPECT demonstrates blockade of 5HT-uptake sites by citalopram in the human brain in vivo.

The cocaine analogue 2-beta-carbomethoxy-3-beta-(4-iodophenyl)-tropane (beta-CIT) is a potent ligand for both dopamine- and serotonin uptake sites which in its 123I labeled form can be used for single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT). It was demonstrated previously by SPECT-studies in non-human primates that 123I-beta-CIT binds to dopamine transporters in the striatum and to serotonin transporters in hypothalamus and midbrain. The aim of the present study was to compare 123I-beta-CIT binding in the brain stem of normal controls and a group of subjects under treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram. 123I-beta-CIT-SPECT was performed in 12 depressed patients under 20 mg (n = 5), 40 mg (n = 6) and 60 mg (n = 1) citalopram daily, in one untreated depressed patient and in 11 controls at regular time intervals up till 24 hours p.inj. A highly significant reduction of beta-CIT binding was found in an area including mesial thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain and pons in patients under citalopram compared to controls (44.1 +/- 14.4 vs. 82.3 +/- 18.6cpm's/mCi x kg body weight; specific binding 4 hrs p.inj.; p = 0.0001). No differences were seen between the high and low dose group and no changes were found in the striatum. 123I-beta-CIT binding in the brain stem and striatum in one untreated depressed patient fell within the range of control values. To our knowledge this is the first report directly demonstrating the effect of a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor in the brain in humans in vivo. SPECT measurements of serotonin uptake sites in patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders might provide better insights into the pathophysiology of these disorders and into mechanisms of drug action.

Adult↗

Characterization of LDL and VLDL binding sites on human basophils and mast cells.

Recent data suggest that basophils and mast cells play a potential role in the processing and accumulation of plasma lipoproteins. This study investigated the interactions of 111In-low-density lipoprotein (LDL), 111In-acetyl-LDL, and 111In-very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) with purified primary human blood basophils, immortalized human basophils (KU812 cell line), and a human mast cell line, HMC-1. Binding sites for 111In-LDL resolved into curvilinear Scatchard plots indicating two classes of specific binding sites on primary basophils (Bmax1, 7404 sites/cell; Kd1, 1.9 nmol/L; Bmax2, 39,611 sites/cell; Kd2, 29 nmol/L), on KU812 cells (Bmax1, 8290 +/- 2690 sites/cell; Kd1, 2.4 +/- 0.6 nmol/L; Bmax2, 46,470 sites/cell; Kd2, 33.4 +/- 7.8 nmol/L), and on HMC-1 cells (Bmax1, 7840 +/- 360 sites/cell; Kd1, 1.8 +/- 0.8 nmol/L; Bmax2, 61,450 +/- 9900 sites/cell; Kd2, 28.4 +/- 9.4 nmol/L). On KU812 cells, binding of 111In-LDL was displaced by apolipoprotein (apo)-E-rich high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (IC50, 14 +/- 6 nmol/L), LDL (IC50, 29 +/- 11 nmol/L), VLDL (IC50, 55 +/- 21 nmol/L), HDL2 (IC50, 420 +/- 140 nmol/L), and heparin (IC50, 67 +/- 28 nmol/L), whereas no competition was produced by HDL, HDL3, or acetyl-LDL (IC50, > 1 mumol/L). Western blot analysis using the monoclonal antibody C7 confirmed the presence of the LDL receptor on human basophils and HMC-1 cells. 111In-acetyl-LDL binding sites (scavenger receptor) could be detected neither on human basophils nor on HMC-1 cells. 111In-VLDL bound to a single class of high-affinity binding sites on primary basophils (Bmax, 4320 sites/cell; Kd, 10 nmol/L), KU812 cells (Bmax, 4020 +/- 840 sites/cell; Kd, 8 +/- 3 nmol/L), and HMC-1 cells (Bmax, 6143 +/- 1866 sites/cell; Kd, 4 +/- 2 nmol/L). 111In-VLDL binding was displaced by VLDL > LDL > apoE-rich HDL but not by heparin (IC50 > 1 mmol/L). In the presence of prostaglandin E1, the number of 111In-LDL receptors increased by 150% (P < .05) in the high-affinity range and by 170% (P < .01) in the low-affinity range, whereas the number of 111In-VLDL binding sites remained unchanged. VLDL, LDL, HDL, and the subclasses HDL2 and HDL3 inhibited immunological histamine release by primary normal basophils (n = 3) and mast cells (n = 3). Our results provide evidence for the existence of LDL and VLDL binding sites on human basophils and HMC-1 mast cells. The exact biological and pathophysiological roles of these sites remain to be elucidated.

Basophils↗