Advances in Animal Models and Cutting-Edge Research in Alternatives: Proceedings of the Third International Conference on 3Rs Research and Progress, Vishakhapatnam, 2022.

Animal experimentation has been integral to drug discovery and development and safety assessment for many years, since it provides insights into the mechanisms of drug efficacy and toxicity (e.g. pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics). However, due to species differences in physiology, metabolism and sensitivity to drugs, the animal models can often fail to replicate the effects of drugs and chemicals in human patients, workers and consumers. Researchers across the globe are increasingly applying the Three Rs principles by employing innovative methods in research and testing. The Three Rs concept focuses on: the replacement of animal models (e.g. with in vitro and in silico models or human studies), on the reduction of the number of animals required to achieve research objectives, and on the refinement of existing experimental practices (e.g. eliminating distress and enhancing animal wellbeing). For the last two years, Oncoseek Bio-Acasta Health, a 3-D cell culture-based cutting-edge translational biotechnology company, has organised an annual International Conference on 3Rs Research and Progress. This series of global conferences aims to bring together researchers with diverse expertise and interests, and provides a platform where they can share and discuss their research to promote practices according to the Three Rs principles. In November 2022, the 3rd international conference, Advances in Animal Models and Cutting-Edge Research in Alternatives, took place at the GITAM University in Vishakhapatnam (AP, India) in a hybrid format (i.e. online and in-person). These conference proceedings provide details of the presentations, which were categorised under five different topic sessions. It also describes a special interactive session on in silico strategies for preclinical research in oncology, which was held at the end of the first day.

Role of DOTATATE-PET/CT in preoperative assessment of phaeochromocytoma and paragangliomas.

CONTEXT: Diagnosis of paragangliomas (PGL) and phaeochromocytomas (PC) can be challenging particularly if the tumour is small. Detection of metastatic disease is important for comprehensive management of malignant PC/PGL. Somatostatin receptor imaging (SRI) agents have high sensitivity for these tumours, particularly the DOTA family of radiopharmaceuticals labelled with 68 Gallium. OBJECTIVE: To describe the utility of SRI in primary assessment (ie before surgery) for PC/PGL and whether measures of maximum standardized uptake (SUVmax) could be used to distinguish between adrenal adenomas and PCs. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of patients with PC and PGL between 2012 and 2017. PATIENTS: Somatostatin receptor imaging (SRI) was performed for suspected PC (n = 46) or PGL (n = 27) of which 36 were during primary assessment and 37 during secondary assessment (follow-up after surgery). For comparison of adrenal SUVmax, scans from 30 patients without suspected PC/PGL (20 with normal adrenals; 10 with incidental adenomas) were evaluated. MEASUREMENTS: Baseline description, sensitivity, specificity, Youden's index. RESULTS: Sensitivity of DOTATATE-PET was 88% for PC and 100% for PGL. False-negative scans were seen in 2/10 PCs < 28 mm and in 1/14 PCs > 28 mm which had features of cystic degeneration. SUVmax of PCs and PGLs was more than double compared to adrenal adenomas (P > .001). CONCLUSION: Somatostatin receptor imaging (SRI) has high sensitivity in primary assessment for PC and PGL. We recommend that SRI should be performed as part of primary assessment in all suspected PGLs (due to higher risk of multifocal lesions) and in PCs suspected to be associated with hereditary syndromes or metastases.

Genitourinary involvement of lymphomas on FDG-PET.

Primary extranodal lymphomatous involvement of the genitourinary tract is rare and secondary extranodal involvement in disseminated disease occurs more frequently. Imaging of metabolic activity with 2-(fluorine-18) fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) used in PET facilitates the identification of these extranodal sites of disease, particularly in the absence of structural lesions on conventional imaging modalities. Primary extranodal lymphoma affecting the genitourinary system is often caused by high-grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) with the most common subtype being diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Although rare, the incidence of extranodal lymphoproliferative disease is increasing and a delay in diagnosis holds a poor prognosis. Familiarity with benign and physiological causes of FDG uptake, particularly due to the urinary tracer excretion is crucial in identifying sites of lymphomatous involvement in the genitourinary system. Additionally, non-lymphomatous malignancies are usually treated surgically, whereas lymphoma is primarily treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Therefore, accurate identification and staging together with histological confirmation significantly impacts management of these patients. This article serves to review and illustrate the imaging findings on FDG-PET/CT of primary extranodal lymphoma affecting the genitourinary system.