Current research topics in FAPI theranostics:a bibliometric analysis

Purpose: The study aimed to provide a comprehensive bibliometric overview of the current scientific publications on fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) positron emission tomography imaging and radionuclide therapy. Methods: A PubMed search was performed to identify all MEDLINE-indexed publications on FAPI imaging and radionuclide therapy. The last update was performed on 31 May 2022. An online database of this literature was created, and hierarchical topic-related tags were subsequently assigned to all relevant studies. Frequency analysis was used to evaluate the distribution of the following characteristics: first author’s country of origin, journal of publication, study design, imaging techniques and radiopharmaceutical used, histopathological correlation, the type of cancer, and benign disease/uptake types evaluated. Results: A total of 294 relevant publications on original studies were identified, consisting of 209 (71%) case reports/series and 85 cohort studies (29%). The majority of studies focused on imaging topics, predominantly comparing uptake on FAPI-PET/CT with 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT, anatomical imaging, and/or histopathology results. 68% of studies focused on malignancies, with gastro-intestinal cancer, hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer, mixed cancers/metastases, lung cancer, sarcoma, head and neck cancer, and breast cancer being the most frequently reported. 42% of studies focused on benign disease categories, with cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, HPB, head and neck, and IgG4-related disease as most common categories. 16/294 (5%) studies focused on radionuclide therapy, with preliminary reports of acceptable toxicity profiles, tumour activity retention, and suggestion of disease control. Conclusion: FAPI research is rapidly expanding from diagnostic studies in malignancies and benign diseases to the first reports of salvage radionuclide therapy. The research activity needs to shift now from low-level-of-evidence case reports and series to prospectively designed studies in homogenous patient groups to provide evidence on how and in which clinical situations FAPI theranostics can be of added value to clinical care. We have provided an overview of current research topics to build upon.</p

Current research topics in FAPI theranostics:a bibliometric analysis

Purpose: The study aimed to provide a comprehensive bibliometric overview of the current scientific publications on fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) positron emission tomography imaging and radionuclide therapy. Methods: A PubMed search was performed to identify all MEDLINE-indexed publications on FAPI imaging and radionuclide therapy. The last update was performed on 31 May 2022. An online database of this literature was created, and hierarchical topic-related tags were subsequently assigned to all relevant studies. Frequency analysis was used to evaluate the distribution of the following characteristics: first author’s country of origin, journal of publication, study design, imaging techniques and radiopharmaceutical used, histopathological correlation, the type of cancer, and benign disease/uptake types evaluated. Results: A total of 294 relevant publications on original studies were identified, consisting of 209 (71%) case reports/series and 85 cohort studies (29%). The majority of studies focused on imaging topics, predominantly comparing uptake on FAPI-PET/CT with 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT, anatomical imaging, and/or histopathology results. 68% of studies focused on malignancies, with gastro-intestinal cancer, hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer, mixed cancers/metastases, lung cancer, sarcoma, head and neck cancer, and breast cancer being the most frequently reported. 42% of studies focused on benign disease categories, with cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, HPB, head and neck, and IgG4-related disease as most common categories. 16/294 (5%) studies focused on radionuclide therapy, with preliminary reports of acceptable toxicity profiles, tumour activity retention, and suggestion of disease control. Conclusion: FAPI research is rapidly expanding from diagnostic studies in malignancies and benign diseases to the first reports of salvage radionuclide therapy. The research activity needs to shift now from low-level-of-evidence case reports and series to prospectively designed studies in homogenous patient groups to provide evidence on how and in which clinical situations FAPI theranostics can be of added value to clinical care. We have provided an overview of current research topics to build upon.</p

Hepatic arterial configuration in relation to the segmental anatomy of the liver; observations on MDCT and DSA relevant to radioembolization treatment

PURPOSE: Current anatomical classifications do not include all variants relevant for radioembolization (RE). The purpose of this study was to assess the individual hepatic arterial configuration and segmental vascularization pattern and to develop an individualized RE treatment strategy based on an extended classification. METHODS: The hepatic vascular anatomy was assessed on MDCT and DSA in patients who received a workup for RE between February 2009 and November 2012. Reconstructed MDCT studies were assessed to determine the hepatic arterial configuration (origin of every hepatic arterial branch, branching pattern and anatomical course) and the hepatic segmental vascularization territory of all branches. Aberrant hepatic arteries were defined as hepatic arterial branches that did not originate from the celiac axis/CHA/PHA. Early branching patterns were defined as hepatic arterial branches originating from the celiac axis/CHA. RESULTS: The hepatic arterial configuration and segmental vascularization pattern could be assessed in 110 of 133 patients. In 59 patients (54 %), no aberrant hepatic arteries or early branching was observed. Fourteen patients without aberrant hepatic arteries (13 %) had an early branching pattern. In the 37 patients (34 %) with aberrant hepatic arteries, five also had an early branching pattern. Sixteen different hepatic arterial segmental vascularization patterns were identified and described, differing by the presence of aberrant hepatic arteries, their respective vascular territory, and origin of the artery vascularizing segment four. CONCLUSIONS: The hepatic arterial configuration and segmental vascularization pattern show marked individual variability beyond well-known classifications of anatomical variants. We developed an individualized RE treatment strategy based on an extended anatomical classification

Hepatic arterial configuration in relation to the segmental anatomy of the liver; observations on MDCT and DSA relevant to radioembolization treatment

PURPOSE: Current anatomical classifications do not include all variants relevant for radioembolization (RE). The purpose of this study was to assess the individual hepatic arterial configuration and segmental vascularization pattern and to develop an individualized RE treatment strategy based on an extended classification. METHODS: The hepatic vascular anatomy was assessed on MDCT and DSA in patients who received a workup for RE between February 2009 and November 2012. Reconstructed MDCT studies were assessed to determine the hepatic arterial configuration (origin of every hepatic arterial branch, branching pattern and anatomical course) and the hepatic segmental vascularization territory of all branches. Aberrant hepatic arteries were defined as hepatic arterial branches that did not originate from the celiac axis/CHA/PHA. Early branching patterns were defined as hepatic arterial branches originating from the celiac axis/CHA. RESULTS: The hepatic arterial configuration and segmental vascularization pattern could be assessed in 110 of 133 patients. In 59 patients (54 %), no aberrant hepatic arteries or early branching was observed. Fourteen patients without aberrant hepatic arteries (13 %) had an early branching pattern. In the 37 patients (34 %) with aberrant hepatic arteries, five also had an early branching pattern. Sixteen different hepatic arterial segmental vascularization patterns were identified and described, differing by the presence of aberrant hepatic arteries, their respective vascular territory, and origin of the artery vascularizing segment four. CONCLUSIONS: The hepatic arterial configuration and segmental vascularization pattern show marked individual variability beyond well-known classifications of anatomical variants. We developed an individualized RE treatment strategy based on an extended anatomical classification

Innovation in catheter design for intra-arterial liver cancer treatments results in favorable particle-fluid dynamics

Background: Liver tumors are increasingly treated with radioembolization. Here, we present first evidence of catheter design effect on particle-fluid dynamics and downstream branch targeting during microsphere administrations. Materials and methods: A total of 7 experiments were performed in a bench-top model of the hepatic arterial vasculature with recreated hemodynamics. Fluorescent microspheres and clinically used holmium microspheres were administered with a standard microcatheter (SMC) and an anti-reflux catheter (ARC) positioned at the same level along the longitudinal vessel axis. Catheter-related particle flow dynamics were analyzed by reviewing video recordings of UV-light illuminated fluorescent microsphere administrations. Downstream branch distribution was analyzed by quantification of collected microspheres in separate filters for two first-order branches. Mean deviation from a perfectly homogenous distribution (DHD) was used to compare the distribution homogeneity between catheter types. Results: The SMC administrations demonstrated a random off-centered catheter position (in 71 % of experiments), and a laminar particle flow pattern with an inhomogeneous downstream branch distribution, dependent on catheter position and injection force. The ARC administrations demonstrated a fixed centro-luminal catheter position, and a turbulent particle flow pattern with a more consistent and homogenous downstream branch distribution. Quantitative analyses confirmed a significantly more homogeneous distribution with the ARC; the mean DHD was 40.85 % (IQR 22.76 %) for the SMC and 15.54 % (IQR 6.46 %) for the ARC (p = 0.047). Conclusion: Catheter type has a significant impact on microsphere administrations in an in-vitro hepatic arterial model. A within-patient randomized controlled trial has been initiated to investigate clinical catheter-related effects during radioembolization treatment

Innovation in catheter design for intra-arterial liver cancer treatments results in favorable particle-fluid dynamics

Background: Liver tumors are increasingly treated with radioembolization. Here, we present first evidence of catheter design effect on particle-fluid dynamics and downstream branch targeting during microsphere administrations. Materials and methods: A total of 7 experiments were performed in a bench-top model of the hepatic arterial vasculature with recreated hemodynamics. Fluorescent microspheres and clinically used holmium microspheres were administered with a standard microcatheter (SMC) and an anti-reflux catheter (ARC) positioned at the same level along the longitudinal vessel axis. Catheter-related particle flow dynamics were analyzed by reviewing video recordings of UV-light illuminated fluorescent microsphere administrations. Downstream branch distribution was analyzed by quantification of collected microspheres in separate filters for two first-order branches. Mean deviation from a perfectly homogenous distribution (DHD) was used to compare the distribution homogeneity between catheter types. Results: The SMC administrations demonstrated a random off-centered catheter position (in 71 % of experiments), and a laminar particle flow pattern with an inhomogeneous downstream branch distribution, dependent on catheter position and injection force. The ARC administrations demonstrated a fixed centro-luminal catheter position, and a turbulent particle flow pattern with a more consistent and homogenous downstream branch distribution. Quantitative analyses confirmed a significantly more homogeneous distribution with the ARC; the mean DHD was 40.85 % (IQR 22.76 %) for the SMC and 15.54 % (IQR 6.46 %) for the ARC (p = 0.047). Conclusion: Catheter type has a significant impact on microsphere administrations in an in-vitro hepatic arterial model. A within-patient randomized controlled trial has been initiated to investigate clinical catheter-related effects during radioembolization treatment

Surefire infusion system versus standard microcatheter use during holmium-166 radioembolization : study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: An anti-reflux catheter (ARC) may increase the tumor absorbed dose during radioembolization (RE) by elimination of particle reflux and its effects on hemodynamics. Since the catheter is fixed in a centro-luminal position, it may also increase the predictive accuracy of a scout dose administration before treatment. The purpose of the SIM trial is to compare the effects of ARC use during RE with holmium-166 ((166)Ho) microspheres in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), with the use of a standard end-hole microcatheter. METHODS/DESIGN: A within-patient randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted in 25 patients with unresectable chemorefractory liver-dominant CRLM. Study participants will undergo a (166)Ho scout dose procedure in the morning and a therapeutic procedure in the afternoon. The ARC will be randomly allocated to the left/right hepatic artery, and a standard microcatheter will be used in the contralateral artery. SPECT/CT imaging will be performed for quantitative analyses of the microsphere distribution directly after the scout and treatment procedure. Baseline and follow-up investigations include (18)F-FDG-PET + liver CT, clinical and laboratory examinations. The primary endpoint is the comparison of tumor to non-tumor (T/N) activity ratio in both groups. Secondary endpoints include comparisons of mean absorbed dose in tumors and healthy liver tissue, infusion efficiency, the predictive value of (166)Ho scout dose for tumor response. In the entire cohort, a dose-response relationship, clinical toxicity, and overall survival will be assessed. The sample was determined for the expectation that the ARC will increase the T/N ratio by 25 % (mean T/N ratio 2.0 vs. 1.6). DISCUSSION: The SIM trial is a within-patient RCT that will assess whether (166)Ho RE treatment can be optimized by using an ARC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The SIM trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT02208804 ). Registered on 31 July 2014