Efficacy of Everolimus Combined with 177Lu-Dotatate in the Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Background: Both everolimus and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) are approved as monotherapies for advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Research in animal models showed synergism between the two treatment modalities. This study evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining everolimus and PRRT for the treatment of unresectable NETs. Methods: Adult patients (≥18 years) with progressing and unresectable histologically confirmed grade 1-2 NETs of all origins were enrolled. Everolimus was started at a 5 mg daily dose and was increased after the initial three patients to 10 mg daily. Patients were treated concurrently with 177Lu-DOTATATE at an 8-week interval, with four cycles planned. Safety was the primary endpoint, with response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) being secondary. Results: Eleven patients were enrolled. The trial was terminated early for poor accrual. The median age was 51 years (18-64), and 4 were males. The median number of cycles of 177Lu-DOTATATE was 3, and the median cumulative dose was 300 mCi. The most frequent grade 1-2 toxicities were stomatitis (90.9%) and nausea (72.7%). Less frequent were fatigue (63.6%), anorexia, diarrhea, and skin changes (each at a 36.4% rate). Grade 3 toxicities occurred in 36% (fatigue, infection, pneumonitis, neutropenia, and stroke). No patient developed grade 4 toxicity. Treatment was stopped because of progression in three patients, and toxicity in another three patients; in addition, four patients were halted due to therapy interruption and in one patient who developed stroke. One patient achieved partial response, and nine patients had stable disease. One patient developed disease progression. At a median follow-up of 18.9 months, three patients died and one was lost to follow-up. The median PFS was 23.3 months. Conclusions: The combination of everolimus at a dose of 10 mg daily and 177Lu-DOTATATE appears not to be feasible. A larger trial at a lower dose of everolimus is warranted.

Outcomes of resective surgery in pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy: A single-center study from the Eastern Mediterranean Region

OBJECTIVE

Epilepsy surgery is widely accepted as an effective therapeutic option for carefully selected patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). There is limited data on the outcome of epilepsy surgery, especially in pediatric patients from the Eastern Mediterranean region. Hence, we performed a retrospective study examining the outcomes of resective surgery in 53 pediatric patients with focal DRE.

METHODS

Patients with focal DRE who had undergone epilepsy surgery were included in the present study. All patients underwent a comprehensive presurgical evaluation. Postoperative seizure outcomes were classified using the Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale.

RESULTS

After surgery, 33 patients (62.2%) were Class I according to the Engel classification of surgical outcomes; eight patients (15.0%) were Class II, 11 (20.7%) were Class III, and one (1.8%) was Class IV. The relationships of presurgical, surgical, and postsurgical clinical variables to seizure outcomes were compared. Older age at seizure onset, older age at the time of surgery, the presence of focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, seizure duration over 2 minutes, unsuccessful treatment with three or fewer antiseizure medications, lesions confined to one lobe (as demonstrated via magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), surgical site in the temporal lobe, and histopathology including developmental tumors were significantly linked to an Engel Class I outcome. A univariate analysis of excellent surgical outcomes showed that lateralized semiology, localized interictal and ictal electroencephalogram (EEG) discharges, lateralized single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography findings, and temporal lobe resections were significantly related to excellent seizure outcomes.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results of our study are encouraging and similar to those found in other centers around the world. Epilepsy surgery remains an underutilized treatment for children with DRE and should be offered early.

Combination of everolimus and lu-177 PRRT in treatment of G1-2 neuroendocrine tumors (NET): Phase 1-2 study

386

Background: Everolimus and Lutetium-177 PRRT were approved as monotherapy. However, animal model research showed synergistic effect of the combination. The goal of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of the combination in treatment of unresectable G1-2 NETs of all gastrointestinal, lung and pancreatic origins. Methods: This is a phase 1-2 study. Phase 1 part involves finding the maximum tolerating dose (MTD) of everolimus and accordingly to recommend dose for phase II part. Starting everolimus dose was 5 mg OD. Patients were treated concurrently with Lu-177 DOTATOC therapy at intervals of 8 weeks (+/-1 week) with average of 4 sessions. Sample size calculation was based on the expected response of the combination to be 30% with power of 80 and type 1 of .05, compared to the known response rate of everolimus alone of 5%. Primary end point is safety. Other end points include response rate, PFS and OS. Results: Eleven patients, with progressive disease, were enrolled. Characteristics are summarized in the table. Everolimus MTD was 10 mg once daily. However, dose was reduced to 5 mg OD in 3 patients and to 5 mg once every other day in 2 patients. Median number of sessions of Lu-177: 3 sessions, and median cumulative dose: 300 mci. Most common G1-2 toxicities: stomatitis (90.9%), Nausea (72.7%), Fatigue (63.6%), anorexia (36.4%), diarrhea (36.4%) and skin and nail changes (36.4%). G3 toxicities (36%) were infection, fatigue, pneumonitis and neutropenia. No grade 4 toxicities. Reasons of discontinuation were toxicity in 3 patients, progression in 3, stroke in 1 and due to interruption of therapy in 4 patients. ORR: 1 PD, 1 PR and 9 SD. At median FU of 18.9 months, 7 patients are still alive, 3 died, and 1 lost to FU. Median PFS: 23.3 months. Conclusions: Combination of Everolimus and the Lu-177 PRRT appear to be safe and effective. Four patients, due to strict compliance criteria in the study protocol, were removed from the study prematurely resulting in undertreatment. Larger and randomized studies are required to confirm such findings.[Table: see text]

Comparison of differentiated thyroid cancer in children and adolescents (≤20 years) with young adults

CONTEXT

Age is a major prognostic factor in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). It is not clear if paediatric DTC has a different histopathological profile and outcome than DTC in adult patients <45 years of age.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether DTC in children and adolescents differs from young age group by comparing paediatric DTC (age ≤ 20) with DTC in patients >20 to <45 years of age.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied all cases of paediatric DTC seen during the period 1998-2011. We compared this group with a large sample of 213 consecutive adult patients in the age group >20 to <45 years seen during the period 1998-1999 in terms of their pathological features, extent of the disease and long-term outcome. Both groups were managed by the same team at a single institution.

RESULTS

A total of 310 DTC were studied including 97 paediatric patients [median age 17 years (range, 8-20)] and 213 young adult patients [median age 33 years (range, 20·5-44·9)]. There was no difference in gender distribution, tumour subtypes, size and tumour multifocality, but there was a significantly higher rate of extrathyroidal extension [40/75 (53·3%) vs 81/213 (38·0%), P = 0·03], lymph node [57/73 (78%) vs 102/183 (55·7%), P < 0·0001] and distant metastases [16/97 (16·5%) vs 8/213 (3·8%), P < 0·0001] in the paediatric than the adult groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a higher risk of persistent/recurrent disease in the paediatric group than adults (log-rank test 0·03). However, there was no mortality secondary to DTC in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Paediatric DTC is distinct from DTC in the young adults (age >20 to <45 years). It is characterized by a higher rate of extrathyroidal extension, lymph node and distant metastases and a higher risk of persistent/recurrent DTC.

Treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) with combination of everolimus and lu-177 radiolabeled somatostatin analogue

TPS502

Background: Treatment of Grade 1 and 2 NET is complex and involves surgical, Locoregional and systemic modalities depending on the manifestations as well as extent of disease. Of the emerging new systemic modalities are everolimus and radiolabelled somatostatin analogue. everolimus is FDA approved for advanced pancreatic NET whereas radiolabelled somatostatin analogue is still not standard therapy in the USA. However, it is gaining popularity especially in Europe as effective systemic therapy for somatostatin receptor positive tumors. Subclinical animal model research showed synergistic effect of the combination of everolimus and the Lu-177 radiolabeled somatostatin analogue. The goal of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of the combination of Everolimus and the intravenous radiolabeled Lu-177 DOTATOC Therapy in the treatment of unresectable G1-2 neuroendocrine tumors of all gastrointestinal, lung and pancreatic origins. Methods: This is a phase 1 – 2 study. The phase 1 part involves finding the maximum tolerating dose (DLT) of everolimus and accordingly to recommend dose for the phase II part. The second part is a standard phase II trial assessing the efficacy and toxicity of the regimen at the recommended dose. A total of 30 patients will be enrolled, based on the expected response of the combination to be 20% with power of 80 and type 1 of.05, compared to the known everolimus alone overall all response of 5%. In phase 1, three patients will be treated with 5mg daily with expansion to six patients if one of the three patients experienced DLT. If DLT occurred in none of three or no more than one of six patients, everolimus dose will be escalated to 10 mg and will be considered the recommended dose for phase 2 part. Otherwise, everolimus dose will be kept at 5 mg daily and will be considered the recommended dose for phase II part. DLT in more than two of six patients will be considered unacceptable, and the trial will be closed because of high toxicity.

Property Enhancement in Rapidly Quenched Alloy Surfaces

Electron beam glazed surfaces on a circular bar are of sufficiently good quality either for direct use or after light mechanical grinding. The technique may be applied for reconstituting plasma deposited layers thereby eliminating porosity and obtaining a highly homogeneous refined microstructure. By this treatment it was found that the microhardness of a plasma deposited layer of chromium carbide in molybdenum binder increased from 525 V.H.N. to 750 V.H.N.

Minimally invasive radionuclide-guided parathyroidectomy using 99mTc-sestamibi in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: a single-institution experience

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and usefulness of (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy and gamma probe localization of parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and establish radio-guided minimally invasive parathyroidectomy at Hussain Makki Al Jumma Center for Specialized Surgery, Kuwait.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twelve patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (mean age: 48 +/- 14 years; median age: 46 years; age range: 29-68 years) were evaluated. The diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism was established by elevated serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. All patients had a well-defined parathyroid lesion on previous standard (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy with or without ultrasound study. All had a normal thyroid gland, no history of familial hyperparathyroidism or multiple endocrine neoplasia nor any history of previous neck irradiation. On the day of surgery, patients were injected with 740 MBq (20 mCi) of (99m)Tc -sestamibi followed by a half-hour-delayed single standard pinhole view of the neck. A skin marker was placed on the basis of maximum count intensity during gamma probe localization. Patients were then sent for radio-guided minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.

RESULTS

The preoperative localization of the affected gland was successful in all cases using a gamma probe and (99m)Tc -sestamibi scintigraphy. The pathological parathyroid tissue was localized and successfully removed with the gamma probe. The histopathological diagnosis was parathyroid adenoma in 11 cases and hyperplasia in the remaining one. All patients remained disease and symptom free at 12-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Our initial experience with intraoperative use of a gamma probe to carry out minimally invasive parathyroidectomy was a useful, easy and safe procedure for treating patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Temporal sequence of splenic dysfunction in sickle cell disease

Sickle cell patients develop splenic dysfunction early in the course of their disease as shown by failure to visualize the organ on technetium-99m colloid scintigraphy. However, preliminary studies from our center have shown that, when the spleen is not demonstrable on colloid uptake, it may be visualized on technetium-99m heat-denatured RBC scintigraphy. With time, however, the spleen can no longer be visualized with both tests in many patients. We have studied 46 patients aged 2 to 16 years, which included 36 SS, 7 Sbeta(0) thal, and 3 SD. Eighteen (39.1%) had normal splenic colloid uptake (Group 1), 15 (32.6%) had partial uptake (Group 2), and 13 (28.3%) had absent uptake (Group 3). When the patients in Group 1 were compared to those in the two other groups, there was no significant difference in the mean age and Hb F values. However, the mean Hb of 10.2 g/dl in Group 1 was significantly higher than the value of 9.0 g/dl in the other two groups. In addition, 60% of the SS patients with normal uptake and 40% of those with partial or absent uptake had co-existing alpha-thal trait; the difference in this proportion is significant (chi(2) = 85, P < 0.0001). Heat-denatured RBC scintigraphy was carried out on five patients in Group 2, and the spleen was visible in all, while of 12 children in Group 3, the spleen was visible only in 4 patients. This study demonstrates that the phagocytic function of the spleen, which is tested by colloid uptake, is the first to be lost while the filtration function, tested by denatured RBC uptake, persists for much longer. This finding may have significant implications for the clinical symptomatology and therapeutic strategies of sickle cell disease.

Dermatomyositis with the features of inclusion body myositis associated with carcinoma of the bladder

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a unique category of inflammatory myopathy. It is characterized histologically by the presence of muscle fibres with rimmed vacuoles and abnormal intracellular accumulations of proteins. We report here a 62-year-old patient with bladder carcinoma, where the signs of IBM overlapped with clinical features of dermatomyositis (DM). A combination of cutaneous changes typical for DM with histological and other features of IBM is exceedingly rare, and has not been previously addressed in dermatological literature. To the best of our knowledge this is also the first description of the association of DM/IBM with internal malignancy.

Modified preparation and rapid quality control test for technetium-99m-tetrofosmin

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to: modify the preparation of 99mTc-tetrofosmin by using twice the amount of 99mTcO4- recommended by the manufacturer; evaluate the use of miniaturized rapid paper chromatography (MRPC) for quality control (QC) testing; and determine the in vitro stability of the modified preparation using MRPC.

METHODS

Two preparations of 99mTc-tetrofosmin were made: one with 4.4-8.8 GBq (120-240 mCi) and the other with 13.9-17.6 GBq (380-480 mCi) 99mTcO4-, referred to as regular and modified preparations, respectively. Routine QC tests were performed using MRPC and instant thin-layer chromatography/silica-gel (ITLC/SG) systems. The preparations were injected into 58 patients. Planar and SPECT images of stress and rest studies were obtained. The technical quality of the SPECT images was graded visually by four observers. Heart-to-lung and heart-to-background ratios were calculated from the planar images.

RESULTS

The QC testing procedure took 4.18 +/- 0.15 min with MRPC and 54 +/- 5.3 min with ITLC/SG systems. The percent labeling efficiency, as determined by both techniques, ranged from 95.6 +/- 1.6 to 97.2% +/- 0.8%. Both preparations were stable up to 6 hr after reconstitution. There was no difference between the cardiac-to-lung and cardiac-to-background ratios of the two preparations.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that MRPC is a faster and effective chromatographic technique for routine QC testing of 99mTc-tetrofosmin. Doubling the amount of 99mTcO4- used in preparing 99mTc-tetrofosmin did not affect its in vitro stability, its efficacious use in patients or the technical quality of the images.

Influence of alpha-thalassemia trait on spleen function in sickle cell anemia patients with high HbF

Spleen function was studied in a group of 20 Kuwaiti SS patients (aged 2-12 years), using 99mTc-labeled tin colloid scintigraphy. They were screened for the alpha-thalassemia determinants which are prevalent in the Arabian Peninsula [-alpha (3.7 kb) deletion, alpha2-globin gene polyadenylation signal (AATAAA => AATAAG) mutation, and 5' IVS-I splice junction pentanucleotide (GAGGTGAGG => GAGG) deletion] with a combination of polymerase chain reaction and allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) hybridization techniques. The patients were divided into three groups depending on the result of their colloid uptake. Group I consisted of 7 patients (35.0%) with normally visualized spleens, Group II consisted of 5 (25.0%) with partial visualization, and in Group III there were 8 (40.0%) in whom the spleen was not visualized at all. The significant distinguishing features among those in Groups I and III were mean corpuscular volumes (MCVs) of 74.1 +/- 5.1 and 90.1 +/- 6.6 fl (P<0.0001) and mean corpuscular hemoglobins (MCHs) of 22.4 +/- 2.7 and 27.5 +/- 4.0 pg (P<0.05), respectively. The overall frequency of alpha-thalassemia determinants in the study was 35.0%; however, the frequencies in Groups I, II, and III were 57.1, 30.0, and 18.8%, respectively. alpha-Thalassemia trait, therefore, appears to be associated with normal splenic function in these patients.