Objective: To investigate the value of 2-(3-[¹⁸F]fluoropropyl)-2-methyl-malonic acid ([¹⁸F]ML-8) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of rat pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups, including pulmonary fibrosis model group and control group. The rat model was established by an intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (BLM). Control rats were treated with saline. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) with [¹⁸F]ML-8 or ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([¹⁸F]FDG) was performed on 2 groups. After PET/CT imaging, lung tissues were collected for histologic examination. Data were analyzed and comparisons between 2 groups were performed using Student t test. Results: Bleomycin-treated rats showed a higher lung uptake of [¹⁸F]ML-8 than control rats ( P < .05). In BLM-treated rats, the lung to muscle relative uptake ratio of [¹⁸F]ML-8 was also higher than that of [¹⁸F]FDG ( P < .05). Pathological examination showed overproliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of collagen in lungs from BLM-treated rats. Compared to control rats, BLM-treated rats had higher lung hydroxyproline content ( P < .05). Immunofluorescence staining indicated more apoptotic cells in BLM-treated rats than those in control rats. Moreover, the apoptosis rate of lung tissues obtained from BLM-treated rats was higher than that from control rats ( P < .05). Conclusions: 2-(3-[¹⁸F]fluoropropyl)-2-methyl-malonic acid PET/CT could be used for noninvasive diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis in a rat model.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) is an extremely rare extrahepatic carcinoma, which is pathologically featured by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and marked by producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). HAC of mediastinum is extremely rare. For inoperable patients, the curative treatment options have not been established, and the outcome of HAC is usually poor. Here, we present a case of mediastinal HAC with normal serum AFP level who achieved well-controlled and good response after local–regional interventional approach combined with systemic PD-1 inhibitor. A 53-year-old male who complained of chest pain was admitted to our hospital in February 2021. A chest CT scan revealed several tumors in his mediastinum. The laboratory data showed normal serum AFP level. HAC was diagnosed through pathological assessment of biopsy. Surgery was not available due to the infiltration of sternum. Local regional FOLFOX chemotherapy was given by transarterial infusion, followed by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, and thereafter combined with systemic anti-PD-1 treatment. The patient achieved favorable disease control and apparent symptom relief. So transarterial interventional therapy combined immunotherapy may be a possible and promising treatment for mediastinal HAC.