Interference of COVID-19 Vaccination With PET/CT Leads to Unnecessary Additional Imaging in a Patient With Metastatic Cutaneous Melanoma—Case Report

The COVID-19 pandemic has widely influenced oncological imaging mainly by presenting unexpected pulmonary and mediastinal lesions. The ongoing global program of vaccination has led to incidental diagnosis of axillary lymphadenopathy. We present a case of increased accumulation of 18F-FDG in an axillary lymph node in a PET/CT scan performed in a 43-year-old female patient with metastatic melanoma. The scan was performed 4 days after the AZD1222 vaccination. The occurrence of lymphadenopathy was verified with another PET/CT scan scheduled one month later. This case report presents a possible misinterpretation of PET/CT images caused by the recent COVID-19 vaccination. To avoid distress of the patient and unnecessary oncological diagnostics to verify the findings, we recommend avoiding scheduling PET/CT shortly after vaccination.

Raman imaging and statistical methods for analysis various type of human brain tumor

Spectroscopic methods provide information on the spatial localization of biochemical components based on the analysis of vibrational spectra. Raman spectroscopy and Raman imaging can be used to analyze various types of human brain tissue. The objective of this study is employment of Raman spectroscopy and Raman imaging to evaluate the Raman biomarkers to distinguish tumor types. We have demonstrated that bands characteristic for carotenoids (1156 cm-1, 1520 cm-1), proteins (1004 cm-1), fatty acids (1444 cm-1, 1655 cm-1) and cytochrome (1585 cm-1) can be used as universal biomarkers to distinguish aggressiveness in human brain tumor. The sensitivity and specificity obtained from PLS-DA have been over 85%. Only for pituitary adenoma the specificity is lower and takes equal 46%. The presented results confirm the potential applications of vibrational spectroscopy methods in oncological diagnostics.

Pathophysiological rationale of the use of microRNA in cardioand oncological diagnostics (review)

Многочисленные попытки изучить и доказать генетическую природу большинства заболеваний привели к открытию новых маркеров, в роли которых выступает класс так называемых «малых рибонуклеиновых кислот (РНК)» или микроРНК. В настоящем обзоре обсуждаются молекулярные механизмы сердечно-сосудистых и опухолевых заболеваний с участием микроРНК для возможного их использования в качестве диагностических и терапевтических мишеней. Numerous attempts to study and prove the genetic nature of most diseases have led to the discovery of new markers, which are the class of so-called “small ribonucleic acids (RNA)” or microRNA. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular and tumor diseases involving microRNAs and explores their possible use as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

The role of miRNA in selected tumors development: Potential use in diagnostics

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small ribonucleic acid molecules that, although not translated, perform an important regulatory function in eukaryotic cells. Their physiological function is to maintain cell homeostasis. Impaired miRNA expression can cause the development of many diseases including cancer. MiRNA biological activity is based on inhibiting the formation of proteins, including oncogenic and anti-oncogenic proteins. Mutations at the coding sites for such miRNAs can lead to overproduction or reduction of the production of the above-mentioned proteins. The discovery of miRNAs and understanding their role in the cell opened new ways for diagnosing cancer. Therefore, changes in the level of relevant miRNAs in the bloodstream or other bodily fluids can be a diagnostic marker of disease. Oncological diagnostics could be based on examining the patient’s miRNA profile and comparing it with previously developed profiles of miRNAs changes associated with the occurrence of a given type of cancer. Information on changes in miRNA profiles that are key to regulating gene expression associated with tumorigenic processes could contribute to the development of experimental therapies based on restoring the original level of miRNA in cells and thereby restoring normal regulation of gene expression. New methods of silencing and enabling miRNA expression may, in the future, result in effective therapeutic solutions.

Cyclooxygenase-2 as a biomarker with diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic, and predictive relevance in small animal oncology

In canine and feline populations, the number of neoplasm cases continues to increase around the world. Attempts are being made in centres of research to identify new biomarkers that speed up and improve the quality of oncological diagnostics and therapy in human and animal tumour patients. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a promising biomarker with increasing relevance to human oncology, but as yet with less application in veterinary oncology. The expression of COX-2 increases significantly during pathological processes involving inflammation, pain or fever. It is also overexpressed in humans presenting various types of tumours and in selected types of tumours in animals, particularly in dogs. This article discusses the expression of COX-2 in canine and feline tumours, the importance of COX-2 as a biomarker with diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic and predictive relevance in oncology, and the clinical significance of inhibiting COX-2 overexpression in tumours.

THE ROLE OF PET/CT WITH 11C-METHIONINE IN CONTEMPORARY NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Positron emission tomography (PET/CT) is a non-invasive molecular imaging technique using isotopes with a short half-life usually in combination with chemical compounds. The most commonly used PET/CT tracer is 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose labeled with fluorine (18-FDG). It is used mainly in oncological diagnostics as well as myocardial viability, epilepsy and inflammatory diagnostics. The tracer less commonly used in PET/CT could be carbon-labeled methionine (11C-MET). It is mainly used in the diagnosis of focal lesions in the central nervous system. There are also reports of the use of this tracer in diagnostics of the primary, secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism as well as multiple myeloma. This tracer may also be used in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative diseases and solid tumors, although there is no clear evidence of its advantage over 18-FDG. Conclusion: Significant difficulties in the production and transport of this tracer and lack of reimbursement of this type of procedure in Poland limits the use of this tracer for scientific research.

System Approach to the Development of Intelligent Complexes of Oncological Diagnostics

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Label-free determination of lipid composition and secondary protein structure of human salivary noncancerous and cancerous tissues by Raman microspectroscopy

The applications of optical spectroscopic methods in cancer detection open new possibilities in oncological diagnostics.