18 FDG-PET/CT for prognostic stratification of patients with multiple myeloma relapse after stem cell transplantation

Oncotarget. 2014 Sep 15;5(17):7381-91. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2290.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) in 37 patients with a history of multiple myeloma (MM) and suspected or confirmed recurrence after stem cell transplantation (SCT). All patients had been heavily pre-treated. Time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) were correlated to a number of different PET-derived as well as clinical parameters. Impact on patient management was assessed. Absence of FDG-avid MM foci was a positive prognostic factor for both TTP and OS (p<0.01). Presence of >10 focal lesions correlated with both TTP (p<0.01) and OS (p<0.05). Interestingly, presence of >10 lesions in the appendicular skeleton proved to have the strongest association with disease progression. Intensity of glucose uptake and presence of extramedullary disease were associated with shorter TTP (p=0.037 and p=0.049, respectively). Manifestations in soft tissue structures turned out to be a strong negative predictor for both, TTP and OS (p<0.01, respectively). PET resulted in a change of management in 30% of patients. Our data underline the prognostic value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in MM patients also in the setting of post-SCT relapse. PET/CT has a significant impact on patient management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Multiple Myeloma / mortality
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Prognosis
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Recurrence
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18