Image processing and analysis algorithm development for the comparison of 18F-PSMA and 18F-choline radiopharmaceuticals in patients with prostate cancer

• Κύριος συγγραφέας: Κατσικάκης, Γεράσιμος Μάριος
• Άλλοι συγγραφείς: Katsikakis, Gerasimos Marios
• Γλώσσα: English
• Έκδοση: 2022
• Θέματα: Radioactive tracers; 18F-PSMA; 18F-choline; Prostate cancer; Image analysis; Ραδιοφάρμακα; 18F-χολίνη; Καρκίνος του προστάτη; Ανάλυση εικόνας

Τhe objective of the present postgraduate thesis, is the comparison between the radiopharmaceuticals 18F-Choline and 18F-PSMA, through the study of the diagnostic information of patients who have underwent PET imaging with both formulations. More specifically, the comparison involves the differences in the concentration and absorption of the two tracers from the human body and therefore their sensitivity in detecting findings. The first step of the image analysis was accomplished via RadiAnt DICOM viewer, while the next and final processing and data extraction steps were realised within a MATLAB software environment. This study was part of a prospective multicentre trial "Phase III study of 18F-PSMA-1007 vs. 18F-Choline comparing lesion detection rates in patients with recurrent prostate cancer after initial radical treatment" Protocol ID: BioCt001. In more details, the Attenuation Corrected (AC) PET series for every patient case was processed and reconstructed into a singular image which, while remaining within the same code environment, was segmented with the help of the advising doctor for every Region of Interest (ROI), data which corresponds to the Mean Gray Values in the segmented areas extracted and holds information that is affiliated directly with the absorption of the radiopharmaceutical from the patient matter and constitutes the bases of the comparison of the two formulations. Chapter one comprises an introduction of the imaging process in nuclear medicine and focuses on the synthesis and the physical properties of the tracers, their means of production as well as their behaviour inside the human body, while particular references concerning the two radiopharmaceuticals are given in each corresponding subchapter. Lastly, the process of imaging through positron emission tomography and the analysis of the medical images it produces is displayed. In the following chapter, all cases examined are presented along with the steps taken during their data examination. The Third and Forth chapters displays the results that were acquired from the study of all cases, on the basis of which the juxtaposition between the two tracer’s absorption, concentration and detection ability is constructed. Finally, the conclusions of the study are presented along with a discussion on the whole project and the possibilities and new objectives that emerge from the present postgraduate thesis. The results of the study indicate that 18F-PSMA offers superior detection abilities than 18F-Choline, while at the same time demonstrating lower concentrations in healthy tissues.