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(18)F-FDG-PET/CT in evaluating response to therapy in solid tumors: where we are and where we can go

K Herrmann1, M R Benz, B J Krause

  • 1Departments of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1782, USA. kherrmann@mednet.ucla.edu

The Quarterly Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging : Official Publication of the Italian Association of Nuclear Medicine (AIMN) [And] the International Association of Radiopharmacology (IAR), [And] Section of the Society Of
|January 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Early cancer treatment monitoring using 18F-FDG PET/CT shows promise. This imaging technique assesses changes in glucose metabolism to predict patient outcomes, aiding personalized cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Despite significant investments, the "war on cancer" has yielded disappointing results.
  • Limited ability to assess therapeutic target presence, drug delivery, and early treatment response hinders personalized cancer care.
  • Current methods struggle to provide timely and accurate assessments of treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging for early cancer therapy monitoring.
  • To discuss the utility of assessing changes in glucose utilization for predicting clinical outcomes.
  • To address challenges and requirements for widespread adoption of FDG-PET/CT in cancer treatment assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of general requirements for imaging modalities in treatment response assessment.
  • Evaluation of the strengths and limitations of CT-based criteria (RECIST) and PET-based response criteria.
  • Examination of the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in assessing response in solid tumors.

Main Results:

  • Emerging evidence suggests changes in glucose utilization during therapy, as measured by FDG-PET/CT, can predict clinical outcomes.
  • FDG-PET/CT offers a valuable tool for early monitoring of cancer therapy response.
  • Comparison of CT (RECIST) and PET-based response criteria highlights the potential of FDG-PET/CT.

Conclusions:

  • 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging is a promising modality for early cancer therapy monitoring.
  • Assessing metabolic changes via FDG-PET/CT can guide individualized treatment approaches.
  • Further adoption of FDG-PET/CT requires addressing current challenges and establishing standardized criteria.

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