Feasibility and Therapeutic Potential of 177Lu-Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor-46 for Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Cancers: A Preliminary Study.

INTRODUCTION: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a member of the serine protease family and has a high expression in the stroma of approximately 90% of epithelial malignancies. The present investigation aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and dosimetry data of 177Lu-FAPI-46 in diverse malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced cancers with nonoperable tumors, or tumors refractory to conventional therapies, were enrolled. Treatment included escalating doses of 177Lu-FAPI-46 (1.85-4.44 GBq) per cycle using a combination of clinical and statistical expertise design, and intervals of 4 to 6 weeks were considered between the cycles. Biodistribution and dosimetry were examined by whole-body scans. We applied the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 to measure peptide-targeted radionuclide therapy (PTRT)-associated toxicity. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients (11 females and 10 males) with a median age of 50 years (range, 6-79 years) were investigated. Of 21 participants, 18 cases were selected for PTRT. Overall, 36 PTRT cycles were performed. The median number of PTRT cycles and the median injected amount of activity in each cycle were 2 and 3.7 GBq, respectively. The dosimetric analysis revealed median absorbed doses of 0.026, 0.136, 0.886, and 0.02 with ranges of 0.023-0.034, 0.001-0.2, 0.076-1.39, and 0.002-0.2 mGy/MBq for the whole body, liver, kidneys, and spleen, respectively. The therapy was well tolerated in almost all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this preliminary investigation might indicate the potential feasibility and safety of PTRT using 177Lu-FAPI-46 for different aggressive tumors. Moreover, the current study could be beneficial in determining the suitable amount of activity for a phase 2 study.

Prevalence of infertility in Tabriz in 2004.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of primary and secondary infertility in Tabriz population and to compare the marriage age between infertile and fertile groups. We also evaluated the rate of seeking help for treatment of infertility among the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a survey, we evaluated the prevalence of infertility in Tabriz in 2004 using cluster random sampling. Tabriz was divided into 360 zones and from each zone, 10 couples were selected. Six interviewers filled out the questionnaires by direct reference to interviewees' homes. Overall, 3600 couples were evaluated for infertility. RESULTS: Of 3600 couples, 3183 were married for more than a year and answered the questions appropriately. Prevalence of infertility was 3.27% (2.04% as primary and 1.23% as secondary infertility). Among couples whose wives were in their reproductive age (15 to 49 years), the overall prevalence of infertility was 3.35% (2.05% as primary and 1.30% as secondary). Mean age of women at marriage was significantly higher in couples with primary infertility (20.87 +/- 5.4 versus 18.75 +/- 4.04; P < .001). Treatment seeking was 79.6% and 67.6% among patients with primary and secondary infertility, respectively. In general, 75% of the patients had referred to medical centers. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of primary infertility was almost the same as other Asian countries, but the prevalence of secondary infertility was lower than other countries. A higher marriage age was accompanied with a significant decrease in fertility of the couple. Primary infertile patients had referred to medical center slightly more often than secondary infertile patients.