Explore the vast range of titles available.

PurposeBurkitt’s lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive lymphoma subtype with high 18F-FDG avidity at 18F-FDG-PET/CT, but no validated criteria for PET/CT in treatment evaluation or prediction of outcome in BL are available. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the metabolic baseline PET/CT parameters can predict treatment response and prognosis in BL.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively enrolled 65 patients who underwent baseline 18F-FDG-PET/CT, interim and end of treatment PET/CT. The PET images were analyzed visually and semi-quantitatively by measuring the maximum standardized uptake value body weight (SUVbw), the maximum standardized uptake value lean body mass (SUVlbm), the maximum standardized uptake value body surface area (SUVbsa), lesion to liver SUVmax ratio (L-L SUV R), lesion to blood-pool SUVmax ratio (L-BP SUV R), total metabolic tumor volume (tMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). Survival curves were plotted according to the Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsAt a median follow-up of 40 months, the median PFS and OS were 34 and 39 months. MTV and TLG were significantly higher in patients with partial response compared to complete response group at end of treatment, while no significant differences were found at interim. Other metabolic PET/CT parameters were not related to treatment response. MTV and TLG were demonstrated to be independent prognostic factors for both PFS and OS; instead SUVbw, SUVlbm, SUVbsa, L-L SUV R and L-BP SUV R were not related to outcome survival.ConclusionsMetabolic tumour features (MTV and TLG) were significantly correlated with response to treatment and long-term outcome.

The prognostic value of metabolic tumor burden parameters obtained from 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging was evaluated in this retrospective national multicenter study of patients with metastatic posterior uveal melanoma (PUM) and compared to the largest diameter of the largest metastatic lesion (LDLM) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. The Maximal Standard Uptake Value (SUV max ), Metabolic Tumor Volume (MTV), and Total Lesion Glycolysis (TLG) were obtained in 106 patients. Higher values of SUV max ( p  = 0.007, log-rank), MTV ( p  < 0.001, log-rank), and TLG ( p  < 0.001, long-rank) were associated with shorter survival. The three parameters were also independent predictors in the multivariate Cox model, while the AJCC staging turned insignificant. Time-dependent positive predictive value (PPV) analysis and Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves showed that MTV (Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 0.78), TLG (AUC = 0.78), and LDLM (AUC = 0.76) were good predictors of 1-year survival. For the subset of 97 patients with liver metastases, the corresponding regional measurements in the liver tended to be even better predictors. In conclusion, MTV and TLG were found to be better predictors of survival in metastatic PUM than the AJCC staging system, but when LDLM was used as a continuous variable it showed an equally good prediction of 1-year survival.

This study aims to evaluate the reliability of qualitative and semiquantitative parameters of [sup.18] F-FDG PET-CT, and eventually a correlation between them, in predicting the risk of malignancy in patients with solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) before the diagnosis of lung cancer. Qualitative and semiquantitative parameters can be considered reliable tools in patients with SPN, since cut-offs for SUVmax, SUVmean, TLG and MTV showed good sensitivity and specificity in predicting malignancy. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of qualitative and semiquantitative parameters of [sup.18] F-FDG PET-CT, and eventually a correlation between them, in predicting the risk of malignancy in patients with solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) before the diagnosis of lung cancer. A total of 146 patients were retrospectively studied according to their pre-test probability of malignancy (all patients were intermediate risk), based on radiological features and risk factors, and qualitative and semiquantitative parameters, such as SUVmax, SUVmean, TLG, and MTV, which were obtained from the FDG PET-CT scan of such patients before diagnosis. It has been observed that visual analysis correlates well with the risk of malignancy in patients with SPN; indeed, only 20% of SPNs in which FDG uptake was low or absent were found to be malignant at the cytopathological examination, while 45.45% of SPNs in which FDG uptake was moderate and 90.24% in which FDG uptake was intense were found to be malignant. The same trend was observed evaluating semiquantitative parameters, since increasing values of SUVmax, SUVmean, TLG, and MTV were observed in patients whose cytopathological examination of SPN showed the presence of lung cancer. In particular, in patients whose SPN was neoplastic, we observed a median (MAD) SUVmax of 7.89 (±2.24), median (MAD) SUVmean of 3.76 (±2.59), median (MAD) TLG of 16.36 (±15.87), and a median (MAD) MTV of 3.39 (±2.86). In contrast, in patients whose SPN was non-neoplastic, the SUVmax was 2.24 (±1.73), SUVmean 1.67 (±1.15), TLG 1.63 (±2.33), and MTV 1.20 (±1.20). Optimal cut-offs were drawn for semiquantitative parameters considered predictors of malignancy. Nodule size correlated significantly with FDG uptake intensity and with SUVmax. Finally, age and nodule size proved significant predictors of malignancy. In conclusion, considering the pre-test probability of malignancy, qualitative and semiquantitative parameters can be considered reliable tools in patients with SPN, since cut-offs for SUVmax, SUVmean, TLG, and MTV showed good sensitivity and specificity in predicting malignancy.

Purpose Multiple myeloma (MM) is a highly heterogeneous disease with wide variations in patient outcome. [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT can provide prognostic information in MM, but it is hampered by issues regarding standardization of scan interpretation. Our group has recently demonstrated the feasibility of automated, volumetric assessment of bone marrow (BM) metabolic activity on PET/CT using a novel artificial intelligence (AI)–based tool. Accordingly, the aim of the current study is to investigate the prognostic role of whole-body calculations of BM metabolism in patients with newly diagnosed MM using this AI tool. Materials and methods Forty-four, previously untreated MM patients underwent whole-body [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT. Automated PET/CT image segmentation and volumetric quantification of BM metabolism were based on an initial CT-based segmentation of the skeleton, its transfer to the standardized uptake value (SUV) PET images, subsequent application of different SUV thresholds, and refinement of the resulting regions using postprocessing. In the present analysis, ten different uptake thresholds (AI approaches), based on reference organs or absolute SUV values, were applied for definition of pathological tracer uptake and subsequent calculation of the whole-body metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). Correlation analysis was performed between the automated PET values and histopathological results of the BM as well as patients’ progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to investigate the discrimination performance of MTV and TLG for prediction of 2-year PFS. The prognostic performance of the new Italian Myeloma criteria for PET Use (IMPeTUs) was also investigated. Results Median follow-up [95% CI] of the patient cohort was 110 months [105–123 months]. AI-based BM segmentation and calculation of MTV and TLG were feasible in all patients. A significant, positive, moderate correlation was observed between the automated quantitative whole-body PET/CT parameters, MTV and TLG, and BM plasma cell infiltration for all ten [ 18 F]FDG uptake thresholds. With regard to PFS, univariable analysis for both MTV and TLG predicted patient outcome reasonably well for all AI approaches. Adjusting for cytogenetic abnormalities and BM plasma cell infiltration rate, multivariable analysis also showed prognostic significance for high MTV, which defined pathological [ 18 F]FDG uptake in the BM via the liver. In terms of OS, univariable and multivariable analysis showed that whole-body MTV, again mainly using liver uptake as reference, was significantly associated with shorter survival. In line with these findings, ROC curve analysis showed that MTV and TLG, assessed using liver-based cut-offs, could predict 2-year PFS rates. The application of IMPeTUs showed that the number of focal hypermetabolic BM lesions and extramedullary disease had an adverse effect on PFS. Conclusions The AI-based, whole-body calculations of BM metabolism via the parameters MTV and TLG not only correlate with the degree of BM plasma cell infiltration, but also predict patient survival in MM. In particular, the parameter MTV, using the liver uptake as reference for BM segmentation, provides solid prognostic information for disease progression. In addition to highlighting the prognostic significance of automated, global volumetric estimation of metabolic tumor burden, these data open up new perspectives towards solving the complex problem of interpreting PET scans in MM with a simple, fast, and robust method that is not affected by operator-dependent interventions.

This retrospective study compares the diagnostic efficacy of [sup.18]F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([sup.18]F-FDG PET/CT) in detecting nodal disease with that of neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It then measures the rate of change in therapy intent when relying on [sup.18]F-FDG PET/CT nodal staging results. In a group of 66 patients, our findings emphasize the importance of metabolic tumor volume and nodal size in distinguishing between benign and metastatic lymph nodes. These identified parameters present a promising avenue for reliably predicting nodal disease status, thereby offering robust imaging-based support for future research endeavors in this domain. This retrospective study examines the diagnostic accuracy of [sup.18]F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([sup.18]F-FDG PET/CT) and neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting nodal metastasis for patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and assesses the predictive values of metabolic and structural features derived from [sup.18]F-FDG PET/CT. By involving 66 patients from 2014 to 2021, the sensitivity and specificity of both modalities were calculated. [sup.18]F-FDG PET/CT outperforms neck MRI for nodal disease detection, with 89% sensitivity, 65% specificity, and 77% accuracy for nodal metastasis (p = 0.03). On the other hand, neck MRI had 66% sensitivity, 62% specificity, and 64% accuracy. Approximately 11% of patients witnessed a change in their therapy intent when relying on [sup.18]F-FDG PET/CT nodal staging results. Analyzing the cohort for PET-derived metabolic and morphological parameters, a total of 167 lymph nodes (LN) were visualized. Parameters such as the LN maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and LN size were computed. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Among the 167 identified cervical LNs, 111 were histopathologically confirmed as positive. ROC analysis revealed the highest area under the curve for LN MTV (0.89; p < 0.01), followed by LN size (0.87; p < 0.01). Both MTV and LN size independently predicted LN metastasis through multivariate analysis. In addition, LN MTV can reliably predict false-positive LNs in preoperative staging, offering a promising imaging-based approach for further exploration.

Purpose[18F]FDG PET/CT is an imaging modality of high performance in multiple myeloma (MM). Nevertheless, the inter-observer reproducibility in PET/CT scan interpretation may be hampered by the different patterns of bone marrow (BM) infiltration in the disease. Although many approaches have been recently developed to address the issue of standardization, none can yet be considered a standard method in the interpretation of PET/CT. We herein aim to validate a novel three-dimensional deep learning-based tool on PET/CT images for automated assessment of the intensity of BM metabolism in MM patients.Materials and methodsWhole-body [18F]FDG PET/CT scans of 35 consecutive, previously untreated MM patients were studied. All patients were investigated in the context of an open-label, multicenter, randomized, active-controlled, phase 3 trial (GMMG-HD7). Qualitative (visual) analysis classified the PET/CT scans into three groups based on the presence and number of focal [18F]FDG-avid lesions as well as the degree of diffuse [18F]FDG uptake in the BM. The proposed automated method for BM metabolism assessment is based on an initial CT-based segmentation of the skeleton, its transfer to the SUV PET images, the subsequent application of different SUV thresholds, and refinement of the resulting regions using postprocessing. In the present analysis, six different SUV thresholds (Approaches 1–6) were applied for the definition of pathological tracer uptake in the skeleton [Approach 1: liver SUVmedian × 1.1 (axial skeleton), gluteal muscles SUVmedian × 4 (extremities). Approach 2: liver SUVmedian × 1.5 (axial skeleton), gluteal muscles SUVmedian × 4 (extremities). Approach 3: liver SUVmedian × 2 (axial skeleton), gluteal muscles SUVmedian × 4 (extremities). Approach 4: ≥ 2.5. Approach 5: ≥ 2.5 (axial skeleton), ≥ 2.0 (extremities). Approach 6: SUVmax liver]. Using the resulting masks, subsequent calculations of the whole-body metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) in each patient were performed. A correlation analysis was performed between the automated PET values and the results of the visual PET/CT analysis as well as the histopathological, cytogenetical, and clinical data of the patients.ResultsBM segmentation and calculation of MTV and TLG after the application of the deep learning tool were feasible in all patients. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between the results of the visual analysis of the PET/CT scans for the three patient groups and the MTV and TLG values after the employment of all six [18F]FDG uptake thresholds. In addition, there were significant differences between the three patient groups with regard to their MTV and TLG values for all applied thresholds of pathological tracer uptake. Furthermore, we could demonstrate a significant, moderate, positive correlation of BM plasma cell infiltration and plasma levels of β2-microglobulin with the automated quantitative PET/CT parameters MTV and TLG after utilization of Approaches 1, 2, 4, and 5.ConclusionsThe automated, volumetric, whole-body PET/CT assessment of the BM metabolic activity in MM is feasible with the herein applied method and correlates with clinically relevant parameters in the disease. This methodology offers a potentially reliable tool in the direction of optimization and standardization of PET/CT interpretation in MM. Based on the present promising findings, the deep learning-based approach will be further evaluated in future prospective studies with larger patient cohorts.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of baseline, interim and end-of treatment positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in assessing the prognosis of follicular lymphoma (FL).PURPOSEIn the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of baseline, interim and end-of treatment positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in assessing the prognosis of follicular lymphoma (FL).A total of 84 FL patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Baseline (n=59), interim (n=24, after 2-4 cycles) and end-of treatment (n=43) PET/CT images were re-evaluated, and baseline maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total metabolic tumor volume (tMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were recorded. Interim (I-PET) and end-of treatment (E-PET) PET/CT responses were interpreted by Deauville five-point scale (D-5PS) and International Harmonization Project criteria (IHP). Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves, and differences between groups were compared by log-rank test.METHODSA total of 84 FL patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Baseline (n=59), interim (n=24, after 2-4 cycles) and end-of treatment (n=43) PET/CT images were re-evaluated, and baseline maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total metabolic tumor volume (tMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were recorded. Interim (I-PET) and end-of treatment (E-PET) PET/CT responses were interpreted by Deauville five-point scale (D-5PS) and International Harmonization Project criteria (IHP). Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves, and differences between groups were compared by log-rank test.The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 57.14% and 95.56%, respectively (p=0.0001). The 2-year overall survival (OS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 62.50% and 100%, respectively (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that TLG was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (p=0.001, HR=6.577, 95% CI=2.167-19.960) and OS (p=0.030, HR=19.291, 95% CI =2.689-137.947). Besides, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) was the independent prognostic factor for OS (HR=8.924, 95% CI=1.273-62.559, p=0.028). Interim PET results based on D-5PS or IHP criteria were not significantly correlated with PFS (all p>0.05). However, E-PET results using D-5PS and IHP criteria were statistically significant (p=0.0001 and p=0.006). The D-5PS showed stronger prognostic value compared with IHP criteria. The optimal cutoff value of ΔSUVmax% was 66.95% according to I-PET and 68.97% according to E-PET. However, only the ΔSUVmax% from the baseline to the end-of therapy yielded statistically significant results in the prediction of PFS (p=0.0002).RESULTSThe 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 57.14% and 95.56%, respectively (p=0.0001). The 2-year overall survival (OS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 62.50% and 100%, respectively (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that TLG was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (p=0.001, HR=6.577, 95% CI=2.167-19.960) and OS (p=0.030, HR=19.291, 95% CI =2.689-137.947). Besides, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) was the independent prognostic factor for OS (HR=8.924, 95% CI=1.273-62.559, p=0.028). Interim PET results based on D-5PS or IHP criteria were not significantly correlated with PFS (all p>0.05). However, E-PET results using D-5PS and IHP criteria were statistically significant (p=0.0001 and p=0.006). The D-5PS showed stronger prognostic value compared with IHP criteria. The optimal cutoff value of ΔSUVmax% was 66.95% according to I-PET and 68.97% according to E-PET. However, only the ΔSUVmax% from the baseline to the end-of therapy yielded statistically significant results in the prediction of PFS (p=0.0002).Our findings indicated that the baseline TLG and E-PET results were significantly associated with prognosis in patients with FL.CONCLUSIONOur findings indicated that the baseline TLG and E-PET results were significantly associated with prognosis in patients with FL.

Objectives To investigate if baseline [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT can predict the outcome of follicular lymphoma (FL) in patients managed with an initial “watch-and-wait” approach. Methods Thirty-eight newly diagnosed FL patients who were managed with an initial “watch-and-wait” approach and undergone baseline [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT were retrospectively enrolled. The standard uptake value (SUV), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of FL lesions were measured on PET/CT. Patients were followed up for at least 24 months or until initiation of FL therapy. The endpoint was the time to initiation of lymphoma treatment (TLT). Results After a median follow-up of 28 months (range 3–94 months), lymphoma treatment was initiated in 21/38 (55.3%) patients (median 15 months, range 3–51 months). Patients with TLT < 24 months showed SUVmax and TLG values significantly higher than those with TLT ≥ 24 months ( p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated cutoff values of SUVmax > 9.5, MTV > 90.62 ml, and TLG > 144.96 SUVbw*ml were optimal for predicting TLT < 24 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed SUVmax > 9.5, MTV > 90.62 ml, and TLG > 144.96 SUVbw*ml had statistically significant correlations with shorter TLT ( p < 0.01). Lymph node regions ≥ 3 and lymph nodes > 3 cm had almost significance ( p < 0.1). In multivariate analysis, SUVmax > 9.5 (HR 3.2 [95% CI 1.1–9.2], p = 0.033) and TLG > 144.96 SUVbw*ml (HR 9.3 [95% CI 1.8–47.7], p = 0.008) were demonstrated to be independent predictive factors for shorter TLT. Conclusions Metabolic indices (SUVmax and TLG) of baseline [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT could predict the outcome independently in FL patients under an initial “watch-and-wait” approach. Key Points • “Watch-and-wait” approach is part of the overall treatment plan in asymptomatic patients with low tumor burden FL. However, the time to initiation of active treatment varies from months to years. • In our retrospective study of 38 patients with FL managed with an initial “watch-and-wait” approach, the SUVmax and TLG were demonstrated to be independent predictive factors for time to initiation of FL treatment. • Baseline [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT may help to better select patients with FL who are most likely to benefit from “watch-and-wait” management.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether baseline [[sup.18]F]Fluorodeoxyglucose ([[sup.18]F]FDG) positron emission computed tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) could predict pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and survival outcomes in patients affected by different molecular subtypes of breast cancer (BC). Semiquantitative parameters, extracted from baseline [[sup.18]F]FDG PET/CT, seem to be promising in the prediction of response to NAC in Luminal B and Luminal B + HER-2 patients and in the survival prediction of triple negative BC patients achieving pCR after NAC. PET/CT scan with advanced parameter analysis could carve out a synergic role, together with other imaging tools, for a more accurate evaluation of these patients at diagnosis. Pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is a strong prognostic factor in breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to investigate whether semiquantitative parameters derived from baseline [[sup.18]F]Fluorodeoxyglucose ([[sup.18]F]FDG) positron emission computed tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) could predict pCR after NAC and survival outcomes in patients affected by different molecular subtypes of BC. We retrospectively retrieved patients from the databases of two Italian hospitals (Centre A: University Hospital of Ferrara; Centre B: University of Padua) meeting the following inclusion criteria: (1) diagnosis of BC; (2) history of NAC; (3) baseline [[sup.18]F]FDG PET/CT performed before the first cycle of NAC; (4) available follow-up data (response after NAC and survival information). For each [[sup.18]F]FDG PET/CT scan, semiquantitative parameters (SUVmax, SUVmean, MTV and TLG) related to the primary tumor (B), to the reference lesion for both axillary (N) and distant lymph node (DN), and to the whole-body burden of disease (WB) were evaluated. Patients enrolled were 133: 34 from centre A and 99 from centre B. Patients’ molecular subtypes were: 9 luminal A, 49 luminal B, 33 luminal B + HER-2, 10 HER-2 enriched, and 32 triple negative (TNBC). Luminal A and HER-2 enriched BC patients were excluded from the analysis due to the small sample size. pCR after NAC was achieved in 47 patients (41.2%). [[sup.18]F]FDG PET/CT detected the primary tumor in 98.3% of patients and lymph node metastases were more frequently detected in Luminal B subgroup. Among Luminal B patients, median SUVmean_B values were significantly higher (p = 0.027) in responders (7.06 ± 5.9) vs. non-responders (4.4 ± 2.1) to NAC. Luminal B + HER-2 non-responders showed a statistically significantly higher median MTV_B (7.3 ± 4.2 cm[sup.3] vs. 3.5 ± 2.5 cm[sup.3]; p = 0.003) and TLG_B (36.5 ± 24.9 vs. 18.9 ± 17.7; p = 0.025) than responders at baseline [[sup.18]F]FDG PET/CT. None of the semiquantitative parameters predicted pCR after NAC in TNBC patients. However, among TNBC patients who achieved pCR after NAC, 4 volumetric parameters (MTV_B, TLG_B, MTV_WB and TLG_WB) were significantly higher in patients dead at follow-up. If confirmed in further studies, these results could open up a widespread use of [[sup.18]F]FDG PET/CT as a baseline predictor of response to NAC in luminal B and luminal B + HER-2 patients and as a prognostic tool in TNBC.