Use of subsequent PET/CT in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients in complete remission following primary therapy. Issue 2 (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Xu; Fan, Wei; Xia, Zhong-Jun; Hu, Ying-Ying; Lin, Xiao-Ping; Zhang, Ya-Rui; Li, Zhi-Ming; Liang, Pei-Yan; Li, Yuan-Hua
• Is Part Of: Chinese journal of cancer. Volume 34:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Interim PET/CT -- diffuse large B-cell lymphoma -- predictive value; Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.5732/cjc.014.10124
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1944-446X

Abstract

Abstract Interim18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (I-PET/CT) is a powerful tool for monitoring the response to therapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This retrospective study aimed to determine when and how to use I-PET/CT in DLBCL. A total of 197 patients treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) were enrolled between October 2005 and July 2011; PET/CT was performed at the time of diagnosis (PET/CT0), after 2 and 4 cycles of chemotherapy (PET/CT2 and PET/CT4, respectively), and at the end of treatment (F-PET/CT). According to the International Harmonization Project for Response Criteria in Lymphoma, 110 patients had negative PET/CT2 scans, and 87 had positive PET/CT2 scans. The PET/CT2-negative patients had significantly higher 3-year progression-free survival rate (75.8% vs. 38.2%) and 3-year overall survival rate (93.5% vs. 55.6%) than PET/CT2-positive patients. All PET/CT2-negative patients remained negative at PET/CT4, but 3 were positive at F-PET/CT. Among the 87 PET/CT2-positive patients, 57 remained positive at F-PET/CT, and 32 progressed during chemotherapy (15 at PET/CT4 and 17 at F-PET/CT). Comparing PET/CT4 with PET/CT0, 7 patients exhibited progression, and 8 achieved partial remission. Comparing F-PET/CT with PET/CT0, 10 patients exhibited progression, and 7 achieved partial remission. In conclusion, our results indicate that I-PET/CT should be performed after 2 rather than 4 cycles of immunochemotherapy in DLBCL patients. There is a limited role for subsequent PET/CT in the detection of relapse in PET/CT2-negative patients, but repeat PET/CT is required if the PET/CT2 findings are positive.