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Cancers May 2024Richter transformation is a rare phenomenon characterized by the transformation of cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) into a more aggressive lymphoma variant. The... (Review)
Review
The Diagnostic Performance of 2-[F]FDG PET/CT in Identifying Richter Transformation in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: An Updated Systematic Review and Bivariate Meta-Analysis.
Richter transformation is a rare phenomenon characterized by the transformation of cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) into a more aggressive lymphoma variant. The early identification of CLLs with a high risk of RT is fundamental. In this field, 2-deoxy-2-[F]-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[F]FDG PET/CT) has been shown to be a non-invasive and promising tool, but apparently, unclear data seem to be present in the literature. This systematic review and bivariate meta-analysis aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of 2-[F]FDG PET/CT and its parameters in predicting RT. Between 2006 and 2024, 15 studies were published on this topic, including 1593 CLL patients. Among semiquantitative variables, SUV was the most investigated, and the best threshold derived for detecting RT was five. With this cut-off value, a pooled sensitivity of 86.8% (95% CI: 78.5-93.3), a pooled specificity of 48.1% (95% CI: 27-69.9), a pooled negative predictive value of 90.5% (95% CI: 88.4-92.4), a pooled negative likelihood ratio of 0.35 (95% CI: 0.17-0.70), a pooled positive likelihood ratio of 1.8 (95% CI: 1.3-2.4), and a pooled diagnostic odds ratio of 6.7 (3.5-12.5) were obtained. With a higher cut-off (SUV = 10), the specificity increased while the sensitivity reduced. The other metabolic features, like metabolic tumor volume, total lesion glycolysis, and radiomic features, were only marginally investigated with controversial evidence.
PubMed: 38730730
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091778 -
Cancers Apr 2024The utilization of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to target cluster of differentiation (CD)19 in cancer immunotherapy has been a recent and significant... (Review)
Review
The utilization of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to target cluster of differentiation (CD)19 in cancer immunotherapy has been a recent and significant advancement. Although this approach is highly specific and selective, it is not without complications. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to assess the current state of positron emission tomography (PET) in evaluating the adverse effects induced by CAR T-cell therapy. A thorough search of relevant articles was performed in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up until March 2024. Two reviewers independently selected articles and extracted data, which was then organized and categorized using Microsoft Excel. The risk of bias and methodological quality was assessed. In total, 18 articles were examined, involving a total of 753 patients, in this study. A wide range of utilities were analyzed, including predictive, correlative, and diagnostic utilities. While positive outcomes were observed in all the mentioned areas, quantitative analysis of the included studies was hindered by their heterogeneity and use of varying PET-derived parameters. This study offers a pioneering exploration of this promising field, with the goal of encouraging further and more focused research in upcoming clinical trials.
PubMed: 38730680
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091728 -
Cancers Apr 2024In this systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA-compliant), we tried to investigate diagnostic and prognostic values of F-FDG PET in uveal melanoma. A systematic... (Review)
Review
In this systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA-compliant), we tried to investigate diagnostic and prognostic values of F-FDG PET in uveal melanoma. A systematic search was conducted on the main medical literature databases to include studies that evaluated F-FDG PET as the imaging modality to evaluate patients with uveal melanoma. Overall, 27 studies were included. Twelve had data about the detection rate of F-FDG PET in primary intra-ocular tumours. The pooled sensitivity was 45% (95%CI: 41-50%). Furthermore, studies showed that the larger the primary tumour, the higher its uptake. Among the included studies, 13 assessed F-FDG PET in detecting metastasis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 96% (95%CI: 81-99%) and 100% (95%CI: 94-100%), respectively. Regarding liver metastasis, they were 95% (95%CI: 79-99%) and 100% (95%CI: 91-100%), respectively. Noteworthy, the level of F-FDG uptake was a strong predictor of patient survival. Lastly, F-FDG PET could characterise lesions from the histopathology perspective, distinguishing high-risk from low-risk diseases. Overall, although not reliable in detecting primary intra-ocular tumours, F-FDG PET is highly accurate for diagnosing metastatic uveal melanomas. It can also be a highly valuable modality in terms of patient prognostication. Thus, F-FDG PET can be recommended in patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma to enhance decision-making and patient management.
PubMed: 38730664
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091712 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2024Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted imaging has gained increasing interest in its application in prostate cancer lesion detection. Compared with Galium...
PURPOSE
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted imaging has gained increasing interest in its application in prostate cancer lesion detection. Compared with Galium (Ga), Fluoride (F)-labeled imaging agent has easier syntheses, lower price, and a longer half-time. 2-(3-{1-Carboxy-5-[(6-[F]fluoro-pyridine-3-carbonyl)-amino]-pentyl}-ureido)-pentanedioic acid positron emission tomography (F-DCFPyL PET) has been recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Several studies have proven its superiority to conventional imaging techniques in detecting prostate cancer lesions. However, the impact of F-DCFPyL PET on the management of patients with prostate cancer is not well established. Thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of available data to evaluate the impact of F-DCFPyL PET on the management of patients with prostate cancer.
METHODS
The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched up to April 2024. Studies that reported the proportion of changes in management after F-DCFPyL PET was performed in patients with prostate cancer were included. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used for the quality evaluation of the included studies. The proportion of changes in management was pooled using a random effects model. Meta-regression analyses were performed to assess the potential correlation between the PET positivity and management changes.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies (3,078 patients with prostate cancer) were included in our review and analysis. The pooled percentage of management changes was 43.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 33-54%). In patients with biochemical recurrent and for primary staging, the pooled percentage was 50% (95% CI: 39-60%) and 22% (95% CI: 15-29%), respectively. In the meta-regression analyses, PET positivity was detected as a significant predictor of management change ( = 0.0023).
CONCLUSION
F-DCFPyL PET significantly affects the management of patients with prostate cancer. Higher PET positivity rate significantly correlated with a higher proportion of management changes in patients with prostate cancer. However, more studies are still needed to confirm the important role of F-DCFPyL PET in the management of prostate cancer.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#myprospero, CRD42022339178.
PubMed: 38725467
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1355236 -
BMC Geriatrics May 2024Abnormal amyloid β (Aβ) deposits in the brain are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Insufficient sleep duration and poor sleep quality are risk factors for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Abnormal amyloid β (Aβ) deposits in the brain are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Insufficient sleep duration and poor sleep quality are risk factors for developing AD. Sleep may play a role in Aβ regulation, but the magnitude of the relationship between sleep and Aβ deposition remains unclear. This systematic review examines the relationship between sleep (i.e., duration and efficiency) with Aβ deposition in later-life adults.
METHODS
A search of PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO generated 5,005 published articles. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative syntheses; thirteen studies for quantitative syntheses related to sleep duration and Aβ; and nine studies for quantitative syntheses related to sleep efficiency and Aβ.
RESULTS
Mean ages of the samples ranged from 63 to 76 years. Studies measured Aβ using cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and positron emission tomography scans with two tracers: Carbone 11-labeled Pittsburgh compound B or fluorine 18-labeled. Sleep duration was measured subjectively using interviews or questionnaires, or objectively using polysomnography or actigraphy. Study analyses accounted for demographic and lifestyle factors. Based on 13 eligible articles, our synthesis demonstrated that the average association between sleep duration and Aβ was not statistically significant (Fisher's Z = -0.055, 95% CI = -0.117 ~ 0.008). We found that longer self-report sleep duration is associated with lower Aβ (Fisher's Z = -0.062, 95% CI = -0.119 ~ -0.005), whereas the objectively measured sleep duration was not associated with Aβ (Fisher's Z = 0.002, 95% CI = -0.108 ~ 0.113). Based on 9 eligible articles for sleep efficiency, our synthesis also demonstrated that the average association between sleep efficiency and Aβ was not statistically significant (Fisher's Z = 0.048, 95% CI = -0.066 ~ 0.161).
CONCLUSION
The findings from this review suggest that shorter self-reported sleep duration is associated with higher Aβ levels. Given the heterogeneous nature of the sleep measures and outcomes, it is still difficult to determine the exact relationship between sleep and Aβ. Future studies with larger sample sizes should focus on comprehensive sleep characteristics and use longitudinal designs to better understand the relationship between sleep and AD.
Topics: Humans; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Sleep; Aged; Sleep Quality; Time Factors; Cognition; Alzheimer Disease; Middle Aged; Sleep Duration
PubMed: 38714912
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05010-4 -
Hellenic Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2024Recent studies have utilized fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) specifically to diagnose cases of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies have utilized fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) specifically to diagnose cases of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), excluding inclusion body myositis (IBM). Conversely, carbon-11 (C) labeled Pittsburgh compound B (PIB)-PET imaging is exclusively used for the detection of IBM. This research is designed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT in identifying IIM by employing rigorous diagnostic accuracy testing methodologies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, and Embase. We focused on the diagnostic utility of PET/CT in IIM, assessing sensitivities, specificities, and deriving likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-). The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022343222).
RESULTS
This systematic review identified 635 citations, of which 10 eligible trials were included, with a total of 419 participants. The results indicated a sensitivity of 0.86 (0.81-0.90), and a specificity of 0.93 (0.88-0.96). The synthesis of LR revealed the LR+ of 10.35 (6.31-16.98), and LR-of 0.15 (0.07-0.32). The summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9658. Regarding IBM, the sensitivity was 0.84 (0.60-0.97), and the specificity was 1 (0.69-1). The synthesis of LR showed the LR+ of 9.61 (1.46-63.15) and an LR- of 0.21 (0.09-0.51). For disease activity, the sensitivity was 0.96 (0.92-0.99), and the specificity was 0.91 (0.084-0.96). The synthesis of LR showed an LR+ of 9.43 (5.39-16.51) and an LR- of 0.05 (0.02-0.11).
CONCLUSION
Positron emission tomography/CT has great potential for accurately diagnosing and monitoring patients with IIM, and may have implications for their clinical management.
Topics: Humans; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Sensitivity and Specificity; Myositis; Reproducibility of Results; Male; Female
PubMed: 38678384
DOI: 10.1967/s002449912711 -
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Apr 2024Infective endocarditis (IE) is characterised by fever, heart murmurs, and emboli. Splenic emboli are frequent in left-sided IE. A systematic review of the literature... (Review)
Review
Infective endocarditis (IE) is characterised by fever, heart murmurs, and emboli. Splenic emboli are frequent in left-sided IE. A systematic review of the literature published on splenic embolism (SE) between 2000 and 2023 was conducted. Search strategies in electronic databases identified 2751 studies published between 1 January 2000 and 4 October 2023, of which 29 were finally included. The results showed that the imaging tests predominantly used to detect embolisms were computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, single-photon emission computed tomography/CT, ultrasound, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. More recent studies typically used F-FDG PET-CT. The proportion of SE ranged from 1.4% to 71.7%. Only seven studies performed systematic conventional CT screening for intra-abdominal emboli, and the weighted mean frequency of SE was 22% (range: 8-34.8%). F-FDG PET-CT was performed systematically in seven studies, and splenic uptake was found in a weighted mean of 4.5%. There was a lack of uniformity in the published literature regarding the frequency and management of splenic embolisation. CT scans were the most frequently used method, until recently, when F-FDG PET-CT scans began to predominate. More data are necessary regarding the frequency of SE, especially focusing on their impact on IE management and prognosis.
PubMed: 38668544
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9040083 -
Surgical Endoscopy Jun 2024Surgical skills acquisition is under continuous development due to the emergence of new technologies, and there is a need for assessment tools to develop along with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Surgical skills acquisition is under continuous development due to the emergence of new technologies, and there is a need for assessment tools to develop along with these. A range of neuroimaging modalities has been used to map the functional activation of brain networks while surgeons acquire novel surgical skills. These have been proposed as a method to provide a deeper understanding of surgical expertise and offer new possibilities for the personalized training of future surgeons. With studies differing in modalities, outcomes, and surgical skills there is a need for a systematic review of the evidence. This systematic review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the topic and evaluate the potential use of neuroimaging in surgical education.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of neuroimaging studies that mapped functional brain activation while surgeons with different levels of expertise learned and performed technical and non-technical surgical tasks. We included all studies published before July 1st, 2023, in MEDLINE, EMBASE and WEB OF SCIENCE.
RESULTS
38 task-based brain mapping studies were identified, consisting of randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, and observational cohort or cross-sectional studies. The studies employed a wide range of brain mapping modalities, including electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, activating brain areas involved in the execution and sensorimotor or cognitive control of surgical skills, especially the prefrontal cortex, supplementary motor area, and primary motor area, showing significant changes between novices and experts.
CONCLUSION
Functional neuroimaging can reveal how task-related brain activity reflects technical and non-technical surgical skills. The existing body of work highlights the potential of neuroimaging to link task-related brain activity patterns with the individual level of competency or improvement in performance after training surgical skills. More research is needed to establish its validity and usefulness as an assessment tool.
Topics: Humans; Clinical Competence; Neuroimaging; Brain; Brain Mapping; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Positron-Emission Tomography; Electroencephalography
PubMed: 38653901
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-024-10830-x -
Journal of Medical Economics 2024This systematic literature review (SLR) consolidated economic and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) evidence for positron emission tomography (PET) and...
Economic and healthcare resource utilization assessments of PET imaging in Coronary Artery Disease diagnosis: a systematic review and discussion of opportunities for future economic evaluations.
AIMS
This systematic literature review (SLR) consolidated economic and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) evidence for positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) to inform future economic evaluations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases from 2012-2022. Economic and HCRU studies in adults who underwent PET- or SPECT-MPI for coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis were eligible. A qualitative methodological assessment of existing economic evaluations, HCRU, and downstream cardiac outcomes was completed. Exploratory meta-analyses of clinical outcomes were performed.
RESULTS
The search yielded 13,439 results, with 71 records included. Economic evaluations and comparative clinical trials were limited in number and outcome types (HCRU, downstream cardiac outcomes, and diagnostic performance) assessed. No studies included all outcome types and only one economic evaluation linked diagnostic performance to HCRU. The meta-analyses of comparative studies demonstrated significantly higher rates of early- and late-invasive coronary angiography and revascularization for PET- compared to SPECT-MPI; however, the rate of repeat testing was lower with PET-MPI. The rate of acute myocardial infarction was lower, albeit non-significant with PET- vs. SPECT-MPI.
LIMITATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
This SLR identified economic and HCRU evaluations following PET- and SPECT-MPI for CAD diagnosis and determined that existing studies do not capture all pertinent outcome parameters or link diagnostic performance to downstream HCRU and cardiac outcomes, thus, resulting in simplified assessments of CAD burden. A limitation of this work relates to heterogeneity in study designs, patient populations, and follow-up times of existing studies. Resultingly, it was challenging to pool data in meta-analyses. Overall, this work provides a foundation for the development of comprehensive economic models for PET- and SPECT-MPI in CAD diagnosis, which should link diagnostic outcomes to HCRU and downstream cardiac events to capture the full CAD scope.
Topics: Humans; Coronary Artery Disease; Positron-Emission Tomography; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging; Patient Acceptance of Health Care
PubMed: 38650543
DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2345507 -
Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official... Jun 2024In contemporary oncologic diagnostics, molecular imaging modalities are pivotal for precise local and metastatic staging. Recent studies identified fibroblast activation...
In contemporary oncologic diagnostics, molecular imaging modalities are pivotal for precise local and metastatic staging. Recent studies identified fibroblast activation protein as a promising target for molecular imaging across various malignancies. Therefore, we aimed to systematically evaluate the current literature on the utility of fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT for staging patients with genitourinary malignancies. A systematic Embase and Medline search was conducted, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) process, on August 1, 2023. Relevant publications reporting on the diagnostic value of FAPI PET/CT in genitourinary malignancies were identified and included. Studies were critically reviewed using a modified version of a tool for quality appraisal of case reports. Study results were summarized using a narrative approach. We included 22 retrospective studies with a cumulative total of 69 patients, focusing on prostate cancer, urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and of the upper urinary tract, renal cell carcinoma, and testicular cancer. FAPI PET/CT was able to visualize both local and metastatic disease, including challenging cases such as prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-negative prostate cancer. Compared with radiolabeled F-FDG and PSMA PET/CT, FAPI PET/CT showed heterogeneous performance. In selected cases, FAPI PET/CT demonstrated superior tumor visualization (i.e., better tumor-to-background ratios and visualization of small tumors or metastatic deposits visible in no other way) over F-FDG PET/CT in detecting local or metastatic disease, whereas comparisons with PSMA PET/CT showed both superior and inferior performances. Challenges in FAPI PET/CT arise from physiologic urinary excretion of most FAPI radiotracers, hindering primary-lesion visualization in the bladder and upper urinary tract, despite generally providing high tumor-to-background ratios. The current findings suggest that FAPI PET/CT may hold promise as a future tool to aid clinicians in detecting genitourinary malignancies. Given the substantial heterogeneity among the included studies and the limited number of patients, caution in interpreting these findings is warranted. Subsequent prospective and comparative investigations are anticipated to delve more deeply into this innovative imaging modality and elucidate its role in clinical practice.
Topics: Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Humans; Urogenital Neoplasms; Endopeptidases; Membrane Proteins
PubMed: 38637140
DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.267260