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Is computer-aided interpretation of 99Tcm-HMPAO leukocyte scans better than the naked eye?

In order to compare visual interpretation of inflammation detected by leukocyte scintigraphy with that of different computer-aided quantification methods, 34 patients (25 with ulcerative colitis and 9 with endoscopically verified non-inflamed colonic mucosa), were investigated using 99Tcm-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99Tcm-HMPAO) leukocyte scintigraphy and colonoscopy with biopsies. Scintigrams were obtained 45 min and 4 h after the injection of labelled cells. Computer-generated grading of seven colon segments using four different methods was performed on each scintigram for each patient. The same segments were graded independently using a 4-point visual scale. Endoscopic and histological inflammation were scored on 4-point scales. At 45 min, a positive correlation was found between endoscopic and scan gradings in individual colon segments when using visual grading and three of the four computer-aided methods (Spearman's rs = 0.30-0.64, P < 0.001). Histological grading correlated with visual grading and with two of the four computer-aided methods at 45 min (rs = 0.42-0.54, P < 0.001). At 4 h, all grading methods correlated positively with both endoscopic and histological assessment. The correlation coefficients were, in all but one instance, highest for the visual grading. As an inter-observer comparison to assess agreement between the visual gradings of two nuclear physicians, 14 additional patients (9 ulcerative colitis, 5 infectious enterocolitis) underwent leukocyte scintigraphy. Agreement assessed using kappa statistics was 0.54 at 45 min (P < 0.001). Separate data concerning the presence/absence of active inflammation showed a high kappa value (0.74, P < 0.001). Our results showed that a simple scintigraphic scoring system based on assessment using the human eye reflects colonic inflammation at least as well as computer-aided grading, and that highly correlated results can be achieved between different investigators.

Adolescent↗

Increased tumor uptake of 3-(123)I-Iodo-L-alpha-methyltyrosine after preloading with amino acids: an in vivo animal imaging study.

UNLABELLED: 3-(123)I-Iodo-L-alpha-methyltyrosine (3-IMT) is an amino acid analog used for tumor imaging. Specific accumulation is mediated mainly by the system L amino acid transport system. System L activity is known to increase when cells are loaded with amino acids. The aim of our study was to measure the effects of amino acid preload on (123)I-3-IMT tumor uptake and image contrast in a rat tumor model using in vivo dynamic imaging. METHODS: Rhabdomyosarcoma (R1M) tumor-bearing rats underwent 2 dynamic (123)I-3-IMT studies on separate days: 1 baseline study and 1 after intraperitoneal injection (0.25 mmol/kg) of a single amino acid (arginine, proline, glutamate, asparagine, tryptophan, or phenylalanine) administered 30 min before intravenous injection of 18.5 MBq (123)I-3-IMT. A (99m)Tc-labeled human serum albumin study was performed on each rat for the calculation of the blood-pool activity inside the tumor. Time-activity curves were generated for tumor, contralateral background region, kidney, heart, and total body. Tumor uptake was corrected for blood-pool and background activity. Image contrast was calculated as the ratio between tumor and background activity. The rate (K(1)) of tracer entering the tumor was obtained using Patlak analysis. A displacement study was performed on a separate group of rats, in which a high dose of phenylalanine was administered 40 min after (123)I-3-IMT injection. RESULTS: (123)I-3-IMT accumulation in tumor reached a plateau 10 min after injection. Tumor uptake on the baseline scans correlated well with tumor size (r = 0.92). After preloading, tumor uptake and contrast increased in all conditions: arginine, +26% and +26%; proline, +15% and +13%; glutamate, +14% and +9%; asparagine, +19% and +15%; tryptophan, +36% and 11%; phenylalanine, +22% and + 13%. K(1) values also increased. Administration of an afterload with phenylalanine induced a significant displacement of (123)I-3-IMT tumor accumulation. CONCLUSION: Prior amino acid administration increases (123)I-3-IMT tumor accumulation and image contrast. This effect can be explained by the increased antiporter activity of the amino acid transport system L in preloaded conditions. Our results indicate that the fasted state might not be the optimal metabolic condition to study tumor accumulation of L-transported tracers such as (123)I-3-IMT. Amino acid administration before (123)I-3-IMT injection could improve tumor uptake and image contrast.

Amino Acids↗

BRU59-21, a second-generation 99mTc-labeled 2-nitroimidazole for imaging hypoxia in tumors.

UNLABELLED: Hypoxia in tumors is believed to be an important cause of local failure of radiotherapy in certain types of cancer. BRU59-21 (BMS194796) is a second-generation 99mTc-labeled 2-nitroimidazole that has been shown to offer improved characteristics for imaging myocardial ischemia. It has now been evaluated in models of tumor hypoxia. METHODS: Accumulation of BRU59-21 was compared with that of BMS181321 in Chinese hamster ovary cells incubated under aerobic or hypoxic conditions. The effects of competition with unlabeled nitroimidazoles and oxygen were studied. Biodistribution studies were performed in mice bearing transplanted KHT-C tumors in the leg. RESULTS: Within 5 min, BRU59-21 partitioned into aerobic cells in vitro at a level 10 times higher than external medium with no further increase over time. In hypoxic cells this initial partitioning was followed by selective accumulation to levels 5 times higher than in aerobic cells by 4 h. Low levels of oxygen (approximately 40 ppm) inhibited the maximal accumulation rate by 50%. Unlabeled misonidazole, a 2-nitroimidazole, inhibited accumulation of radioactivity, whereas tinidazole, a 5-nitroimidazole, enhanced accumulation; similar effects had been reported with BMS181321. Biodistribution studies in mice showed rapid clearance of radioactivity from the blood, resulting in enhanced tumor-to-blood ratios compared with BMS181321. Increasing the hypoxic fraction in the tumor by injection of nitro-L-arginine resulted in increased retention of tracer in the tumor without affecting other tissues. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that BRU59-21 warrants further investigation as an agent for imaging tumor hypoxia in the clinic.

Animals↗

Stem cells: a regenerative pharmaceutical.

Stem cells (SC), found in both adult and fetal tissues, are self-renewing elements that can generate the various cell types in the body. There are 3 classes of SC: totipotent, multipotent, and pluripotent. The SC with a significant developmental potential are the embryonic stem (ES) cells, which are derived from the early stages of mammalian embryo. SC possess regenerative properties and this offers unprecedented opportunities for developing medical therapies for debilitating diseases. Hematopoietic SC have been used successfully in bone marrow transplants for over 40 years. Pluripotent SC offer renewable source of replacement of cells and tissues to treat a myriad of diseases. However there are limiting factors. Adult SC are rare and cannot multiply as the ES. Pluripotent SC have great therapeutic potential, but face technical challenges. A serious concern is the ethical issue since they are derived from human embryos or fetal tissue. Quite often SC have been targets of mutations and risk carcinogenesis. Various markers have been identified based on the uniqueness of SC receptors and in vivo tracking studies using nanocolloids and radioactive tracers have been performed. Though 111In-oxine has been used to image SC transplants, PET with a high spatial resolution would be ideal. Currently 2 agents are being studied, 18F-FDG and 64Cu-Pyruvaldehyde bi(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone). The following few pages bring forth the various limitations and summarize progress made in SC utilization so as to create awareness of SC research in ISORBE community and to foster strategy that ISORBE community can disseminate information and exchange knowledge on radio labeled SC.

Humans↗

Effect of cross-reactivity of alpha-fetoprotein monoclonal antibody on quantitation of serum AFP and radioimmunodetection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Murine hybridomas were generated by immunizing mice with purified alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) to determine the cross-reactivity of AFP antibodies with human serum albumin (HSA). Eighteen out of 23 hybridoma products were cross-reactive with HSA. All 23 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) could be subgrouped into 3 groups by their binding affinity to AFP and HSA, and one MAb from each group, IIB3, IIIB1 and IIIC6, were chosen for this study. The affinity to AFP was highest for IIB3 followed by IIIC6 and IIIB1, and that to HSA was in the order IIIB1 greater than IIB3. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no cross-reactions of these antibodies with HSA at the tissue level. IIB3 was the most efficient in the quantitative assays, indicating high affinity and specificity (non-cross-reactivity) of the antibodies, both of which are prerequisites for in vitro assays. Scans with good tumor localization were obtained from mice which received 131I-labeled IIB3 or IIIC6 after xenografting of the human hepatocellular carcinoma. The images obtained with IIB3 were inhibited in the presence of either AFP or HSA in the circulation. These findings indicated that the use of cross-reactive and/or high-affinity antibodies against AFP provides an inhibitory factor for tumor localization. MAb IIIC6, because of its high specificity and moderate affinity to AFP, seems to be the best candidate for immunoscintigraphy of the tumors in future studies.

Animals↗

Glomerular filtration rate in children: validation and longitudinal use of determination from the 99mTc DTPA renogram.

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated from the technetium diethylenetriaminepentacetic (99mTc DTPA) renogram by empirically correlating the renogram and clearance of the tracer as measured by plasma disappearance kinetics. To expand the potential application of this technique from its original description, minor changes in methodology were made; a new regression was generated with 30 subjects, and that formula was then validated prospectively. For the 50 children and adolescents in the prospective series whose GFR normalized for surface area (NGFR = GFR X 1.73 m2/SA; SA, surface area) was less than 120 mL/min/1.73 m2; renal function was estimated with a mean residual error of 8.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, and a mean relative error of 11%. These results are at least as good as those in the initial report, thus validating this method in a prospective series. To examine the use of this method longitudinally, 129 examinations were reviewed in 55 subjects who had NGFR estimated from the renogram (estimated) on at least two occasions. For 28 sets of serial examinations, NGFR was also measured by the plasma disappearance of 99mTc DTPA (measured). The true change in function for each set of serial examinations was defined as the increment for whichever method (estimation or measurement) was more stable. The mean longitudinal errors were 2.1 and 4.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 for measured and estimated NGFR, respectively. The increments in NGFR for these methods were correlated with a regression line near identity and r = .852. This indicates that a change in estimated NGFR reflects a change in measured NGFR of similar magnitude. This method can accurately estimate GFR from the 99mTc DTPA renogram, and it can be used longitudinally to follow children with renal disorders.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of 99mTc-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile and 201T1 scintigraphy in visualization of suppressed thyroid tissue.

UNLABELLED: Both (201)TI and (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) have been used in the visualization of suppressed thyroid tissue in patients with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs). It has been suggested that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) control is not a major determinant of both tracers. However, the mechanism of thyroid uptake of these agents is controversial. In this study, we compared (201)TI and MIBI in the visualization of suppressed thyroid tissue in patients with a solitary toxic AFTN. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (13 triiodothyronine [T3] and 19 T3 + levorotatory thyroxine [T4] hyperthyroid patients) with toxic AFTNs visualized on (99m)Tc-pertechnetate scanning were included in the study. All patients underwent MIBI and (201)TI thyroid scintigraphy within a 3-d interval. The scintigrams were analyzed both visually and semiquantitatively. For the semiquantitative analysis, regions of interest (ROIs) were generated over the nodule (N) and contralateral normal lobe (E), and the mean counts in each ROI were calculated. RESULTS: The N/E uptakes (mean +/- SD) for pertechnetate, MIBI, and (201)TI were 11.37 +/- 4.53, 4.76 +/- 1.38, and 1.63 +/- 0.15, respectively, in T3 + T4 hyperthyroid patients and 9.46 +/- 3.64, 2.73 +/- 0.63, and 1.57 +/- 0.23, respectively, in T3 hyperthyroid patients. Our results showed that (201)TI uptake of suppressed thyroid tissue compared with AFTN was more prominent and significantly higher than that of MIBI for both groups of patients (P = 1.08E-05 for T3 and 6.15E-09 for T3 + T4 hyperthyroidism). There was no significant difference for either pertechnetate or (201)TI (P > 0.05) when the N/E uptakes of both groups of patients were compared. However, the N/E uptake of MIBI in T3 + T4 hyperthyroid patients was significantly higher than that in T3 hyperthyroid patients (P = 6.69E-06). CONCLUSION: Clear visualization of suppressed thyroid tissue with both (201)TI and MIBI in patients with low serum concentrations of TSH suggests that TSH is not a major factor in the thyroid uptake of either agent. (201)TI is superior to MIBI in the visualization of suppressed thyroid tissue in patients with a toxic thyroid nodule. An increased rate of metabolism in the follicular cells of AFTNs in T3 + T4 hyperthyroid patients compared with that in T3 hyperthyroid patients might be responsible for the higher N/E for MIBI compared with that for (201)TI.

Adult↗

[Diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux and Barrett esophagus].

Gastroesophageal reflux is a very common disorder. Typical symptoms are heartburn, regurgitation and chest pain. Recently, it has been demonstrated that gastroesophageal reflux may generate or worse extraesophageal symptoms such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, posterior laryngitis, and chronic cough. The diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux is suggested by typical symptoms which improve under a therapy with proton pump inhibitors. pH-monitoring over 24 hours is able to establish directly the diagnosis by measuring acid reflux into the esophagus. Manometry detects the two most common causes of gastroesophageal reflux: insufficiency of the lower esophageal sphincter or esophageal motility abnormalities. Gastroesophageal reflux can lead to reflux esophagitis, which is diagnosed endoscopically. An endoscopy should routinely be performed in case of dysphagia, anemia, or loss of weight. A long-term sequela of gastroesophageal reflux is the development of Barrett's-esophagus, a condition which has to be verified by endoscopy and biopsy. This premalignant lesion is defined by a metaplastic change from the normal squamous mucosa to a specialized intestinal epithelium characterized by goblet cells. Because dysplasia in these metaplastic areas can lead to esophageal adenocarcinoma, regular endoscopic surveillance with biopsies is recommended. Gastroesophageal reflux can significantly impair the quality of life and can cause complications that include the neoplastic progression from Barrett's esophagus to carcinoma. Therefore, appropriate diagnostic procedures and adequate therapy are required. This article summarizes the diagnostic approach to patients with gastroesophageal reflux, reflux esophagitis and Barrett's-esophagus. The impact of endoscopy, pH-monitoring, esophageal manometry, radiology and scintigraphy are reviewed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

No significant translocation of inhaled 35-nm carbon particles to the circulation in humans.

Human pulmonary retention of 35 nm 99mTc-labeled carbonaceous particles, produced with a modified Technegas generator, was followed for 24 h using a gamma camera imaging technique. Nine healthy subjects and four asthmatics inhaled the test particles. Particle labeling stability was tested in vitro during 48 h. We also measured in vivo leaching in blood and in urine for 24 h. One additional subject was exposed to particles with unstable labeling. There were no significant differences between healthy and asthmatic subjects in any of the parameters studied. Particle retention after 24 h was 102% (SD +/- 4.7). Cumulative in vitro leaching of 99mTc activity from the particles was 1.7% (+/-1.1) after 24 h. In blood samples, 80 min after exposure, 1.1% (+/- 0.4) of initially deposited activity was detected and 91% of the activity was not bound to particles. In urine sampled during the first 24 h after exposure, 3.6% (+/- 0.9) of lung deposited activity was detected. Lung retention was 30% after 1 h in the subject exposed to the leaching aerosol (n = 1). Thirty-one percent of the deposited activity was detected in the blood after 80 min and 80% was not bound to particles. Fifty percent of the activity was excreted with urine within 24 h. On gamma camera images the activity visibly translocated from lungs to thyroid and gastrointestinal tract. In conclusion, over a 24-h period there was no significant translocation of inhaled 35-nm particles to the systemic circulation.

Aerosols↗

Medical applications of single-chain antibodies.

A single-chain antibody or single-chain Fv (sFv) incorporates the complete antibody binding site in a single polypeptide chain of minimal size, with an approximate molecular weight of 26,000. In antibodies, the antigen combining site is part of the Fv region, which is composed of the VH and VL variable domains on separate heavy and light chains. Efforts over nearly two decades have indicated that Fv fragments can only rarely be prepared from IgG and IgA antibodies by proteolytic dissection. Beginning in 1988, single-chain analogues of Fv fragments and their fusion proteins have been reliably generated by antibody engineering methods. The first step involves obtaining the genes encoding VH and VL domains with desired binding properties; these V genes may be isolated from a specific hybridoma cell line, selected from a combinatorial V-gene library, or made by V gene synthesis. The single-chain Fv is formed by connecting the component V genes with an oligonucleotide that encodes an appropriately designed linker peptide, such as (Gly4-Ser)3. The linker bridges the C-terminus of the first V region and N-terminus of the second, ordered as either VH-linker-VL or VL-linker-VH. In principle, the sFv binding site can faithfully replicate both the affinity and specificity of its parent antibody combining site, as demonstrated in our model studies with the 26-10 anti-digoxin sFv. Furthermore, the sFv remains stable at low concentrations that promote VH and VL dissociation from the Fv heterodimer, resulting in loss of Fv binding. Intravenously administered sFv proteins exhibit accelerated biodistribution and exceptionally fast clearance compared to IgG or Fab. These pharmacokinetic properties allow rapid imaging by sFv, which therefore may be labeled with a short-lived isotope such as Tc-99m. Expression of a single gene product from fused sFv and effector genes facilitates immunotargeting of the effector protein, as shown for single-chain Fv toxin fusion proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thromboembolic potential of synthetic vascular grafts in baboons.

We have compared in baboons the capacity of two types of synthetic vascular grafts to accumulate thrombus, activate circulating platelets, and generate occlusive platelet microemboli. Grafts were incorporated into femoral arterial-arterial shunts placed unilaterally in 10 baboons; the unoperated contralateral limbs served as controls. The accumulation of indium 111 (111In)-labeled platelets onto the grafts (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene [ePTFE] or knitted Dacron, 4 mm inner diameter) and the appearance of 111In radioactivity in distal microcirculatory beds (calf and foot) were quantified by dynamic scintillation camera imaging. After 1 hour total platelet deposition per graft was higher with Dacron (49.0 +/- 8.0 x 10(9) platelets) than with ePTFE (3.7 +/- 0.6 x 10(9) platelets, p less than 0.01). Platelet counts decreased and beta-thromboglobulin levels increased with Dacron graft placement but were unaffected by ePTFE graft placement (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively). Emboli shed from Dacron grafts were detected as multifocal, irregular, and changing deposits in the calves and feet. Indium 111 platelet activity in the feet distal to the Dacron grafts increased 81.1% +/- 21.4% from baseline values over 1 hour, whereas the activities in the feet distal to the ePTFE grafts were unchanged (p less than 0.05). The increase 111In-platelet radioactivity above the control limb values (excess radioactivity) was higher for the Dacron graft group than for the ePTFE group in both the feet (139.6% +/- 46.9% vs 6.2%, p less than 0.05) and the calves (86.7% +/- 21.7% vs 7.3% +/- 3.6%, p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Prediction of inherited portosystemic shunts in Irish Wolfhounds on the basis of pedigree analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To test validity of prediction for inherited portosystemic shunts (PSS) in Irish Wolfhounds, using nonselective clinical findings and a computerized database containing 5-generation pedigrees. ANIMALS: 613 dogs in the first and 396 dogs in the second cohort. PROCEDURE: Preprandial venous ammonia concentration was measured at 6 to 8 weeks in all pups born between Jan 1, 1988 and Jan 1, 1997 Portosystemic shunts were confirmed in hyperammonemic pups, using radioisotope shunt index measurement, and diagnosis of shunting was confirmed at abdominal surgery or necropsy. Findings in dogs of the first cohort (born before Jan 1, 1992) were used to predict shunting in their offspring of the second cohort. Common ancestors of first-cohort dogs with shunts were tested for positive associations with the disease. Risk for a shunt in all second-cohort dogs was predicted on the basis of relatedness with founders and was compared with outcome of clinical screening. RESULTS: Prevalence of shunts in first and second cohorts was 3.1 and 2.3%, respectively. Fifteen highly related associated founders could be identified. Second-cohort dogs were classified into 6 groups of increasing predicted risk. Mean number of dogs per class was 60; number of clinically diagnosed cases ranged from 0 in the class with the lowest risk to 4 in the highest risk class. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic risk for reproducing a PSS in Irish Wolfhounds was accurate, using the described method. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Risk estimation provides a tool for genetic counseling, does not require knowledge of the mode of inheritance, and may be valid for any inherited disease.

Animals↗

Comparative dual label study of first and second generation antitumor-associated glycoprotein-72 monoclonal antibodies in colorectal cancer patients.

Radiolabeled first-generation anti-tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG-72) monoclonal antibody (MAb), B72.3, has proven useful in detecting primary and secondary colorectal carcinoma. It has been anticipated that the development of second-generation, higher affinity, anti-TAG-72 MAbs, CC49 and CC83, would be of greater use in cancer detection and of value in radioimmunotherapy of human cancer. We compared the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and immune responses of 131I-labeled CC49 and CC83 to 125I-labeled B72.3 by preoperatively coninjecting dual-labeled MAbs into 16 colorectal cancer patients. The imaging properties of radiolabeled CC49 and CC83 were also assessed. Pharmacokinetics of all three MAbs were identical, and there were no differences in the uptake of any of three MAbs in tumor and normal tissues. Maximum tumor uptake was 0.0041% of the injected dose/g for 125I-B72.3, 0.0024% for 131I-CC49, and 0.0029% for 131I-CC83. Radiolabeled CC49 and CC83 detected most known tumor sites on scintigrams without any clear advantage for either MAb. Nonspecific splenic and testicular uptake was frequently observed. Anti-idiotypic human anti-mouse antibody responses were seen more frequently with B72.3 than with CC49 or CC83. We conclude that higher affinity, radiolabeled anti-TAG-72 MAbs can detect colorectal cancer but do not penetrate these tumors more effectively than B72.3. Improvements in tumor detection and radioimmunotherapeutic strategies will likely require the administration of smaller fragments of MAb molecules or novel delivery systems rather than the continued development of higher affinity MAbs.

Adult↗

Production and characterization of 188Re-C595 antibody for radioimmunotherapy of transitional cell bladder cancer.

UNLABELLED: Bladder cancer was responsible for >12,000 deaths in the United States in 1999. The high-molecular-weight glycoprotein MUC1 mucin is overexpressed on bladder tumors and represents a useful target for radioimmunoscintigraphy and radioimmunotherapy. We report on the production and initial tracer studies of a 188Re-antibody complex directed against this target and intended for intravesical radioimmunotherapy of superficial bladder cancer. METHODS: 188Re perrhenate was eluted from a 188W/188Re generator. C595 antibody was reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol and was labeled in the presence of stannous tartrate. The final reaction mixture contained high-molecular-weight contamination, which was removed from the complex using an affinity separation technique. The specificity and integrity of the antibody complex were tested by radioimmunoassay and size exclusion chromatography. Tumor localization was investigated using an ex vivo model in human cystectomy specimens. Tracer amounts of the complex were also administered intravesically to three patients with bladder cancer, who were then imaged by gamma scintigraphy. RESULTS: The complex was immunoreactive (70% +/- 17%) and specific for MUC1 antigens. A peak corresponding to a protein of 150 kDa was observed on size exclusion chromatography, showing that the complex was homogeneous. Binding to bladder tumors was observed in an ex vivo model in which tumors were successfully imaged in four specimens. The mean tumor-to-normal tissue ratio in ex vivo bladders was 7:1. Tumor uptake after intravesical administration was confirmed in three patients with bladder cancer (mean tumor-to-normal tissue ratio, 4:1). CONCLUSION: The C595 antibody was labeled with 188Re, providing a radioimmunoconjugate with high immunoreactivity and specificity. Its ability to localize in tumors both in an ex vivo model and after intravesical administration to patients has been shown. This approach will now be extended for the therapy of superficial bladder cancer.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Thyrotropin assay by chemiluminescence in the diagnosis of dysthyroidism with low thyrotropin and normal thyroid hormones levels].

The performances of a new "3rd generation" chemoluminescence TSH assay (TSH ICMA) with a functional sensitivity of 0.005 mU/l were compared with those of an "ultrasensitive" TSH immunoradiometric assay (TSH IRMA) in a series of patients characterised by a TSH IRMA less than 0.20 mU/l and normal free thyroxin (T4 L) and triiodothyronine (T3 L) concentrations. The 95% cut-off value for hyperthyroidism was 0.03 for TSH ICMA and 0.05 for TSH IRMA. In a first group of 41 subjects undergoing Tc99m thyroid scan, images of multifocal increased uptake or toxic adenoma were associated with a lower TSH ICMA than in patients with a normal isotope scan. TSH ICMA was also lower than TSH IRMA (p < 0.01). At the cut-off value of 0.03 mU/l, the specificity of TSH ICMA was higher than that of TSH IRMA, but the sensitivity were identical. In a second group of 36 patients with severe non-thyroid diseases, TSH ICMA was lower than the cut-off value for hyperthyroidism in 30% of cases, while TSH IRMA was lower than the cut-off value in 40% of cases. A satisfactory concordance was observed between the two methods. In conclusion, the two TSH assays, IRMA and ICMA, provide globally comparable information in subjects with a low TSH and normal T4 L and T3 L. However, the better specificity of TSH ICMA and a smaller overlap with the frank hyperthyroid zone in patients with non-thyroid disease argue in favour of the use of this new assay method.

Aged↗

Pentavalent rhenium-188 dimercaptosuccinic acid for targeted radiotherapy: synthesis and preliminary animal and human studies.

Pentavalent rhenium-188 dimercaptosuccinic acid [188Re(V)DMSA] is a beta-emitting analogue of 99mTc(V)DMSA, a tracer that is taken up in a variety of tumours and bone metastases. The aim of this study was to develop the kit-based synthesis of the agent on a therapeutic scale, to assess its stability in vivo, and to obtain preliminary biodistribution and dosimetry estimates, prior to evaluation of its potential as a targeted radiotherapy agent. The organ distribution of 188Re in mice was determined 2 h after injection of 3 MBq 188Re(V)DMSA prepared from eluate from a 188W/188Re generator. Three patients with cancer of the prostate and three with cancer of the bronchus, all with bone metastases confirmed with a standard 99mTc-hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (99mTc-HDP) scan, were given 370 MBq 188Re(V)DMSA and imaged at 3 h and 24 h using the 155-keV gamma-photon (15%). Blood and urine samples were collected to determine clearance and to analyse the speciation of 188Re. Organ residence times were estimated from the scans, and used to estimate radiation doses using MIRDOSE 3. In mice, 188Re(V)DMSA was selective for bone and kidney. In patients, it showed selectivity for bone metastases (particularly those from prostate carcinoma) and kidney, but uptake in normal bone was not significantly greater than in surrounding soft tissues. Of the normal tissues the kidneys received the highest radiation dose (0.5-1.3 mGy/MBq). The images were strongly reminiscent of 99mTc(V)DMSA scans in similar patients. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of blood and urine showed no evidence of 188Re in any chemical form other than 188Re(V)DMSA up to 24 h. In conclusion, 188Re(V)DMSA and its 186Re analogue warrant further clinical assessment as generator/kit-derived agents for treatment of painful bone metastases. These agents should also be assessed in medullary thyroid carcinoma and other soft tissue tumours which have been shown to accumulate 99mTc(V)DMSA.

Aged↗

Quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy and endoscopic sphincter of Oddi manometry in patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: assessment of flow-pressure relationship in the biliary tract.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the diagnostic efficacy of quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy (QHBS) was compared with that of endoscopic sphincter of Oddi (SO) manometry (ESOM) in patients with a suspected SO dysfunction (SOD) of biliary type II or III. METHODS: Twenty cholecystectomized patients with SOD biliary types II and III were investigated by QHBS and by ESOM. Twenty asymptomatic cholecystectomized patients served as controls for scintigraphy. ESOM was performed by applying the station pull-through method. Then SO basal pressure and phasic contraction characteristics were determined. During QHBS, time-activity curves were generated, and the time-to-peak (Tmax), the half-time of excretion (T(1/2)), the duodenal appearance time (DAT) and the hilum-to-duodenum transit time (HDTT) were then calculated. At the 60th minute of QHBS, 5 ng/kg body weight/min caerulein was administered. RESULTS: In patients with SOD and elevated SO basal pressure (> 40 mmHg), QHBS parameters, such as Tmax and T(1/2) calculated from regions of interest over the hepatic hilum and common bile duct, HDTT and DAT proved to be significantly increased compared to controls: 28.7 +/- 4.3 versus 21.1 +/- 4.6 min, 39.7 +/- 15.4 versus 18.8 +/- 2.6 min, 9.0 +/- 3.6 versus 2.3 +/- 1.3 min and 27.1 +/- 4.9 versus 16.6 +/- 3.0 min, respectively. In contrast, in patients with SOD and normal SO basal pressure, QHBS parameters did not differ significantly from the controls. For the pooled data on the symptomatic patients with SOD, a statistically significant linear correlation was found between the SO basal pressure and the QHBS parameters. Although HDTT was the most sensitive scintigraphic parameter (89%), the combined sensitivity and specificity of Tmax and T(1/2) of the common bile duct reached 100%. No scintigraphic sign of a paradoxical response to cholecystokinin was detected. CONCLUSIONS: QHBS is a useful non-invasive diagnostic method for the selection of SOD patients with an elevated SO basal pressure. A significant correlation has been established between the trans-papillary bile flow measured by QHBS and the SO basal pressure determined by ESOM.

Adult↗

Altered antigenicity of human monoclonal antibodies derived from human-mouse heterohybridomas.

We have generated milligram quantities of human monoclonal antibodies (Hu-MAbs) in the ascites of pristane-primed nude mice injected with human-mouse heterohybridomas. After contaminating mouse immunoglobulins were removed by affinity chromatography, an enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA) was used to measure the concentrations of human immunoglobulins. Ten different partially purified preparations were tested. The titration curves with all 5 IgG Hu-MAbs were unusual, reaching a plateau at a very low apparent maximum concentration of antibody. In contrast, the EIA yielded more usual titration curves and thus apparently more reliable estimates of the concentrations of 4 IgM and 1 IgA monoclonal antibodies. An analogous EIA for the quantitation of mouse IgG monoclonal antibodies also gave accurate estimates. To understand the nature of the discrepancy with human IgG, 5 Hu-MAbs of the 3 classes (2 IgG, 2 pentameric IgM and 1 IgA) were purified to homogeneity for a more detailed analysis. The inability to quantitate the human IgG monoclonal antibodies by EIA was not due to defective molecules, as shown by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The human IgG monoclonal antibodies were found to consist of intact heavy and light chains, as were the IgM and IgA antibodies. The possibility that the human IgG monoclonal antibodies differed antigenically from polyclonal IgG was explored by comparing the concentrations by EIA with the protein concentrations determined by absorbance at 280 nm. This analysis permitted a comparison of the detectability of antigenic determinants on Hu-MAbs with those on polyclonal Ig with goat antibodies to Ig or Ig subclass. The IgG monoclonal antibodies differed from polyclonal IgG in both their heavy and light chains. Goat antiserum monospecific for the gamma chain in fact underestimated the concentration by as much as one hundred-fold. IgM and IgA monoclonal antibodies were less antigenically distinct from their polyclonal counterparts even though their light chains were also underestimated, because goat monospecific antibodies were more efficient at recognizing their heavy chains. The molecular basis for the observed difference in antigenicity is not yet known. These findings have important implications for the analysis of the binding of IgG Hu-MAbs. A direct binding assay with the label directly conjugated to the Hu-MAb should be used in preference to an indirect assay with a labeled detecting antibody to maximize the sensitivity of the assay. The altered antigenicity of IgG Hu-MAbs may also imply decreased immunogenicity when they are given in vivo as carriers for radionuclides or cytotoxic antitumor materials.

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