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Updated: Oct 30, 2025
Predictive Immune Modeling of Solid Tumors
Published on: February 25, 2020
Response Prediction and Evaluation Using PET in Patients with Solid Tumors Treated with Immunotherapy
Frank J Borm1,2, Jasper Smit1,2, Daniela E Oprea-Lager3
1Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
In multiple malignancies, checkpoint inhibitor therapy has an established role in the first-line treatment setting. However, only a subset of patients benefit from checkpoint inhibition, and as a result, the field of biomarker research is active. Molecular imaging with the use of positron emission tomography (PET) is one of the biomarkers that is being studied. PET tracers such as conventional 18F-FDG but also PD-(L)1 directed tracers are being evaluated for their predictive power. Furthermore, the use of artificial intelligence is under evaluation for the purpose of response prediction. Response evaluation during checkpoint inhibitor therapy can be challenging due to the different response patterns that can be observed compared to traditional chemotherapy. The additional information provided by PET can potentially be of value to evaluate a response early after the start of treatment and provide the clinician with important information about the efficacy of immunotherapy. Furthermore, the use of PET to stratify between patients with a complete response and those with a residual disease can potentially guide clinicians to identify patients for which immunotherapy can be discontinued and patients for whom the treatment needs to be escalated. This review provides an overview of the use of positron emission tomography (PET) to predict and evaluate treatment response to immunotherapy.
Insights
Positron emission tomography (PET) is being explored as a biomarker to predict and evaluate immunotherapy response in cancer. This molecular imaging technique offers valuable insights for treatment efficacy and patient stratification.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Checkpoint inhibitor therapy is a first-line treatment for many cancers, but patient response varies.
- Biomarker research is crucial for identifying patients who will benefit from immunotherapy.
- Molecular imaging, particularly Positron Emission Tomography (PET), is under investigation as a predictive biomarker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in predicting and evaluating treatment response to immunotherapy.
- To explore the role of novel PET tracers and artificial intelligence in response prediction.
- To highlight PET's potential in early response assessment and patient stratification.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on Positron Emission Tomography (PET) applications in immunotherapy.
- Evaluation of conventional PET tracers (e.g., 18F-FDG) and novel PD-(L)1 directed tracers.
- Assessment of artificial intelligence (AI) in conjunction with PET for response prediction.
Main Results:
- PET imaging shows promise in predicting patient response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
- PET can aid in early evaluation of treatment efficacy, distinguishing response patterns from traditional chemotherapy.
- PET facilitates stratification of patients into complete response or residual disease categories.
Conclusions:
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a valuable tool for predicting and evaluating immunotherapy response.
- PET imaging can guide clinical decisions regarding treatment escalation or discontinuation.
- Further research into PET tracers and AI integration will enhance its role in personalized cancer therapy.
