Fusion dual-tracer SPECT-based hepatic dosimetry predicts outcome after radioembolization for a wide range of tumour cell types

Purpose Fusion dual-tracer SPECT imaging enables physiological rather than morphological voxel-based partitioning and dosimetry for Y-90 hepatic radioembolization (RE). We evaluated its prognostic value in a large heterogeneous cohort of patients with extensive hepatic malignancy.

Methods A total of 122 patients with primary or secondary liver malignancy (18 different cell types) underwent SPECT imaging after intraarterial injection of Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin (TcMAA) as a simulation of subsequent Y-90 microsphere distribution, followed by administration of an excess of intravenous Tc-99m-labelled sulphur colloid (TcSC) as a biomarker for functional liver, and a second SPECT scan. TcMAA distribution was used to estimate Y-90 radiation absorbed dose in tumour (D (T)) and in functional liver. Laboratory and clinical follow-up were recorded for 12 weeks after RE, and radiographic responses according to (m)RECIST were evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Dose-response relationships were determined for efficacy and toxicity.

Results Patients were treated with a median of 1.73 GBq activity of resin microspheres (98 patients) or glass microspheres (24 patients), in a whole-liver approach (97 patients) or a lobar approach (25 patients). The objective response rate was 41 % at 3 months and 48 % at 6 months. Response was correlated with D (T) (P <0.01). Median overall survival was 10.1 months (95 % confidence interval 7.4 - 12.8 months). Responders lived for 36.0 months compared to 8.7 months for nonresponders (P <0.01). Stratified for tumour cell type, D (T) was independently associated with survival (P <0.01). Absorbed dose in functional liver was correlated with toxicity grade change (P <0.05) and RE-induced liver disease (P <0.05).

Conclusion Fusion dual-tracer SPECT imaging offers a physiology-based functional imaging tool to predict efficacy and toxicity of RE. This technique can be refined to define dosing thresholds for specific tumour types and treatments, but appears generally predictive even in a heterogeneous cohort.