Is it time for PET-guided therapy in follicular lymphoma?

Trotman, Judith and Pettitt, Andrew R (2022) Is it time for PET-guided therapy in follicular lymphoma? BLOOD, 139 (11). pp. 1631-1641.

Text Time for PET in FL 12_06_2020.docx - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (219kB)

Abstract

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is now established as the gold-standard imaging modality for both staging and response assessment in follicular lymphoma (FL). In this Perspective, we propose where PET can, and cannot, guide clinicians in their therapeutic approach. PET at diagnosis and pretreatment is important for staging, with greater sensitivity compared with standard CT, and consequent improved outcomes in truly limited-stage FL. Small data sets suggesting that a high baseline standardized uptake value (SUVmax) identifies de novo histologic transformation (HT) have not been corroborated by data from GALLIUM, the largest prospective study to examine modern therapies for FL. Nonetheless, the role of baseline quantitative PET measures requires further clarification. The median survival of patients with newly diagnosed FL is now potentially >20 years. Treatment of symptomatic FL aims to achieve remission and optimize quality of life for as long as possible, with many patients achieving a "functional cure" at the cost of unwanted treatment effects. Several studies have identified end-of-induction (EOI) PET after initial chemoimmunotherapy in patients with a high tumor burden as strongly predictive of both progression-free and overall survival, and EOI PET is being evaluated as a platform for response-adapted treatment. Unmet needs remain: improving the inferior survival for patients remaining PET positive and quantifying the progression-free survival and time to next treatment advantage, and additional toxicity of anti-CD20 maintenance in patients who achieve complete metabolic remission. In the absence of an overall survival advantage for frontline antibody maintenance, the question of using PET to guide the therapeutic approach is more important than ever in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Lymphoma, Follicular, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Prednisone, Fluorodeoxyglucose F18, Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols, Prospective Studies, Kaplan-Meier Estimate, Pandemics, Rituximab, Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2021 09:19
Last Modified:	06 Sep 2023 23:05
DOI:	10.1182/blood.2020008243
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3130250