(1) This study compared [⁶⁸Ga]PentixaFor uptake in active arterial segments with corresponding [¹⁸F]FDG arterial uptake as well as the relationship with cardiac [⁶⁸Ga]PentixaFor uptake. (2) Method: Tracer uptake on atherosclerotic lesions in the large arteries was measured and target-to-background ratios (TBR) were calculated to adjust background signals with two investigators blinded to the other PET scan. On a patient-based and lesion-to-lesion analysis, TBR values of two tracers were compared and the relationship with cardiac inflammation was further explored. Furthermore, two cardiovascular risk-related groups were divided to explore the value of risk stratification of the two tracers in atherosclerosis. (3) Results: [⁶⁸Ga]PentixaFor PET/MRI identified more lesions (88% vs. 48%; p < 0.001) and showed higher uptake than [¹⁸F]FDG PET/MRI (TBR, 1.90 ± 0.36 vs. 1.63 ± 0.29; p < 0.001). In the patient-based analysis, the TBR of [⁶⁸Ga]PentixaFor uptake was also significantly higher than [¹⁸F]FDG uptake (1.85 ± 0.20 vs. 1.42 ± 0.19; p < 0.001). The TBR of active lesions for [⁶⁸Ga]PentixaFor was significantly increased in the high-risk group (n = 9), as compared to the low-risk group (n = 10) (2.02 ± 0.15 vs. 1.86 ± 0.10, p = 0.015), but not for [¹⁸F]FDG (1.85 ± 0.10 vs. 1.80 ± 0.07, p = 0.149). (4) Conclusion: [⁶⁸Ga]PentixaFor PET/MRI identified many more lesions than [¹⁸F]FDG PET/MRI. Patients with high-risk cardiovascular factors illustrated an increased uptake of [⁶⁸Ga]PentixaFor. There was a correlation between the elevated uptake of [⁶⁸Ga]PentixaFor in the active arterial segments and heart.

Due to the rapid progression and aggressive metastasis of breast cancer, its diagnosis and treatment remain a great challenge. The simultaneous inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis is necessary for breast cancer to obtain ideal therapeutic outcomes. We herein report the development of radioactive hybrid semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPN_H) for imaging-guided tri-modal therapy of breast cancer. Two semiconducting polymers are used to form SPN_H with a diameter of around 60 nm via nano-coprecipitation and they are also labeled with iodine-131 (¹³¹I) to enhance the imaging functions. The formed SPN_H show good radiolabeling stability and excellent photodynamic and photothermal effects under 808 nm laser irradiation to produce singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and heat. Moreover, SPN_H can generate ¹O₂ with ultrasound irradiation via their sonodynamic properties. After intravenous tail vein injection, SPN_H can effectively accumulate in the subcutaneous 4T1 tumors of living mice as verified via fluorescence and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. With the irradiation of tumors using an 808 nm laser and US, SPN_H mediate photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) to kill tumor cells. Such a tri-modal therapy leads to an improved efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth and suppressing tumor metastasis compared to the sole SDT and combinational PDT–PTT. This study thus demonstrates the applications of SPN_H to diagnose tumors and combine different therapies for effective breast cancer treatment.

Purpose: Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) are widely used as versatile templates to develop multifunctional nanosystems for disease diagnosis and treatment. Iodine can bind to gold via chemisorption, making this a simple method for labeling Au NPs with radioactive iodine. However, the evaluation of tumor radionuclide therapy is insufficient. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of ¹³¹I-adsorbed Au NPs as novel nanoprobes for tumor radionuclide therapy. Materials and Methods: Radiolabeling was performed by mixing Au NPs and ¹³¹I, and the radiochemical purity (RCP) and in vitro stability of ¹³¹I-adsorbed Au NPs were analyzed under different conditions, including various temperatures, pH values, and ¹³¹I concentrations. The tumor accumulation and therapeutic potential of ¹³¹I-adsorbed Au NPs were assessed using a subcutaneous tumor model after intratumoral injection. Results: The data showed that the chemisorption of the Au NPs onto ¹³¹I was instant, specific, and quantitative. The ¹³¹I-adsorbed Au NPs exhibited high in vitro stability in different media, distinct inhibitory effects on tumor cells in vitro, good retention ability, and therapeutic effects after intratumoral injection into tumor-bearing mice in vivo. Conclusion: Our work demonstrates that chemisorption of Au NPs and radioiodine has great potential as a strategy for constructing various nanosystems for theranostic applications.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have transformed the management of various cancers. Serious and potentially fatal cardiovascular toxicity, as well as a progression of atherosclerosis, have been described, mainly in elderly and comorbid patients. Methods: We investigated 117 arterial segments of 12 young (under 50 years of age), otherwise healthy lymphoma patients pre/post-ICI treatment using 2-[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Maximum FDG standardized uptake values (SUV_max) and target-to-background ratios (TBRs) were calculated along arterial segments. Additionally, metabolic activities (SUV_max) of the bone marrow, spleen, and liver were analyzed. The levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were assessed. Results: ICI therapy induced arterial inflammatory activity, detected by increased TBR in arterial segments without pre-existing inflammation (TBRneg_pre = 1.20 ± 0.22 vs. TBRneg_post = 1.71 ± 0.45, p < 0.001), whereas already-inflamed lesions remained unchanged. Dormant calcified segments (Hounsfield Units-HU ≥ 130) showed a significant increase in TBR values after ICI treatment (TBRcalc_pre = 1.36 ± 0.38 vs. TBRcalc_post = 1.76 ± 0.42, p < 0.001). FDG uptake measured in other organs and hsCRP levels remained unchanged after ICI therapy. Conclusions: Although the effects of ICI therapy on arterial inflammation are still incompletely understood, cancer immunotherapy might be a critical moderator of atherosclerosis with a subsequently increased risk of future cerebro- and/or cardiovascular events in young oncological patients.

As one of the most common types of carcinomas, lung cancer has high incidence and mortality rates. Among the pathological types of lung cancer, pulmonary adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent. Advancements in medical treatments have contributed to improved prognosis in pulmonary adenocarcinomas. However, this case report revealed a rare refractory lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting that further research and robust management strategies are needed to improve clinical outcomes. In this regard, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography plays a very important role in the comprehensive evaluation of glucose metabolic activity in lung adenocarcinoma and the progression of metastasis in distant organs.