Value of interim FDG PET/CT for predicting outcome of patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma

Subjects were 45 patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) who underwent 2-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) at baseline and interim after 2-4 cycles. Predictors of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Positive interim PET/CT (Deauville score ≥3) was a significant independent predictor of poor PFS (Hazard ratio, 4.42; p=.028), and showed marginal significance to predict OS (p=.065). Less than 60% decrease in the average change of maximum standardized uptake value normalized by lean body mass (SUL_max) also was a significant independent predictor of poor PFS (Hazard ratio, 12.96; p=.001) and poor OS (Hazard ratio, 24.11; p=.006). Interim PET/CT has a significant prognostic value for predicting PFS and OS in patients with AITL. Deauville score and percent decrease of SUL_max have the potential to be useful parameter in classifying patients into good and poor responders.