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  • Positron emission tomograph...
    Trotman, Judith; Fournier, Marion; Lamy, Thierry; Seymour, John Francis; Sonet, Anne; Janikova, Andrea; Shpilberg, Ofer; Gyan, Emmanuel; Tilly, Hervé; Estell, Jane; Forsyth, Cecily; Decaudin, Didier; Fabiani, Bettina; Gabarre, Jean; Salles, Bruno; Van Den Neste, Eric; Canioni, Danielle; Garin, Etienne; Fulham, Michael; Vander Borght, Thierry; Salles, Gilles

    Journal of clinical oncology, 08/2011, Volume: 29, Issue: 23
    Journal Article

    The utility of (18)Ffluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in assessing response at the end of induction therapy is well documented in Hodgkin's and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, but its role in follicular lymphoma (FL) remains undetermined. We investigated the prognostic significance of PET-CT performed after first-line therapy in patients with FL treated in the prospective Primary Rituximab and Maintenance (PRIMA) study. Results of PET-CT scans performed after induction immunochemotherapy were recorded retrospectively. Patients went on to either observation or rituximab maintenance per protocol independent of the PET-CT result. Patient characteristics and outcomes were then evaluated. Of 122 PET-CT scans performed at the end of the induction immunochemotherapy, 32 (26%) were reported as positive by the local investigator. Initial demographic or disease characteristics did not differ between PET-CT-positive (PET-positive) and PET-CT-negative (PET-negative) patients. PET status correlated with conventional response criteria (P < .001). Patients remaining PET positive had a significantly (P < .001) inferior progression-free survival at 42 months of 32.9% (95% CI, 17.2% to 49.5%) compared with 70.7% (95% CI, 59.3% to 79.4%) in those who became PET negative. PET status, but not conventional response (complete response or complete response unconfirmed v partial response) according to IWC 1999, was an independent predictive factor for lymphoma progression. The risk of death was also increased in PET-positive patients (hazard ratio 7.0; P = .0011). (18)FFDG PET-CT status at the end of immunochemotherapy induction in patients with FL is strongly predictive of outcome and should be considered a meaningful clinical end point in future studies.