Early Detection of Response to Radiotherapy Treatment with 11C-Acetate PET Imaging

Review Data

Q: Is the topic relevant to the journal area of interest? Is it contemporary and interesting for

researchers?

A: Very good

Abstract & Keywords

Q: Are all required components included in the abstract? Are the keywords appropriately chosen?

A: Very good

Goal

Q: Is the goal explicitly stated in the Introduction? Is its formulation clear and unambiguous?

A: Good

Structure

Q: Is the paper's structure coherent? Is it in coherence with the goal of the paper?

A: Good

Tools and Methods

Q: Are methods the author uses adequate and well used?

A: Good

Discussion & Conclusion

Q: Is it related to the results presented before? Do you consider them as coherent?

A: Very good

Comments: The Discussion section is well supported with observations presented in this study. It illustrates that ¹¹C-Acetate positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, using two-tissue compartmental model, can predict early treatment response following irradiation in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. It aptly analyses the changes in parameters of tumor perfusion and oxygenation before and at mid-treatment. It adequately discusses relevant literature. The Conclusion establishes that dynamic ¹¹C-Acetate scans and appropriate analysis can be used to investigate the early tumor response to radiotherapy treatment.

Literature

Q: Does the author utilize relevant literature?

A: Good

Author's knowledge

Q: What is the level of the author’s knowledge? Does the author utilize all recent contributions relevant to the topic?

A: Very good

Length

Q: Is the length of the paper adequate to the significance of the topic? Do you suggest shortening the paper without losing its value?

A: Good

Figures & Tables

Q: Does the author use them suitably? Are legend and notations clear?

A: Very good

Writing style

Q: Is it clear and understandable?

A: Good

Comments: In the 4^th sentence of the Results, “with” should be replaced with “in” after “appeared”.

Further comments on the paper

Comments: This study aims to assess the early detection of response to radiotherapy treatment by measuring the tumor perfusion and oxygenation before and at mid-treatment with ¹¹C-Acetate positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in 2 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in the base of the tongue with positive human papillomavirus (HPV). In this dynamic imaging two-tissue compartment model was applied to calculate the perfusion index and the oxidative component K_mono. The findings indicate a significant reduction in tumor volume and increased k₂ in both patients and increased K₁ in patient 1 and reduced K₁ in patient 2 after 35 Gy of radiotherapy dose. Increased k₂ describes increasing oxidative metabolism inside the tumor whereas a low value of the perfusion K₁ parameter indicates radiation-induced hypoxia. This study is of significance as it demonstrates the efficiency of ¹¹C-Acetate PET imaging to predict the early changes in the tumor perfusion and the oxidative metabolism to optimally adjust the treatment.

Q: Would you recommend this manuscript for further publication?

A: Yes - Suitable to be published

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Science Repository Team