18F-FDG PET Imaging in the Evaluation of Treatment Response to New Chemotherapies beyond Imatinib for Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors. (14th August 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stefanelli, Antonella; Treglia, Giorgio; Mirk, Paoletta; Muoio, Barbara; Giordano, Alessandro
• Other Names: Bartolo D. C. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN gastroenterology. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2011-08-14
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases; Gastroenterology; Gastroenterology; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodical; 616.3
• DOI: 10.5402/2011/824892
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-4398

Abstract

Abstract : Aim . 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET) is a powerful tool for staging and defining "good responders" to chemotherapy in tumor setting. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are sarcoma involving gastrointestinal tract and may require a chemotherapy including imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor agent. Some GIST patients become refractory to imatinib; therefore, other tyrosine kinase inhibitors or concomitant chemotherapy may be considered for treatment. The aim of this paper is to assess if 18 F-FDG PET imaging is a useful tool to evaluate treatment response to new chemotherapies beyond imatinib for GIST patients. Methods . We performed a review of the literature about the role of 18 F-FDG PET in the evaluation of treatment response to new chemotherapies beyond imatinib for GIST patients. Results and Conclusions . 18 F-FDG PET seems to be able to assess therapy response earlier than computed tomography (CT) imaging in imatinib refractory GIST patients treated with other agents. However, a dual modality PET-CT imaging is recommendable to achieve a better detection of all lesions.