Assessing Risk Through Interim Imaging in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Positive findings with [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) performed after induction therapy did not predict patient outcomes.

Because patients with poor-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) achieve cure rates of only 50% to 60% with standard rituximab (R) plus CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) chemoimmunotherapy, identifying which patients might benefit from more-aggressive treatment would be helpful. Interim imaging using FDG-PET after initial induction therapy could help clinicians develop a risk-adapted approach to treatment.

To determine whether interim FDG-PET results might help direct treatment, investigators conducted a single-institution trial involving 97 transplant-eligible patients (median age, 47) with newly diagnosed, clinically high-risk DLBCL or primary mediastinal DLBCL. Interim FDG-PET scans were performed after 4 …

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee