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Prognostic value of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in multiple myeloma patients before and after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

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Abstract

Purpose

Despite improved treatment options, multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using 18F-2’-deoxy-2’-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) in MM patients shortly before and ~100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT).

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated [18F]FDG-PET/CT-scans of 45 heavily pre-treated MM patients before and 27 patients after scheduled allo-HCT. All scans were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively assessed for the presence of active disease. Serological response was recorded according to International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria. Progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were correlated with different PET/CT-derived parameters, such as presence, number and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of focal myeloma lesions. The impact of extramedullary disease on patient outcome was also assessed.

Results

PET/CT negativity -prior to or following allo-HCT- was a favorable prognostic factor for progression-free and overall survival (both, PFS and OS: pre-HSCT p < 0.001, post-HCT p < 0.005). High FDG-uptake (SUVmax > 6.5) revealed a significantly shortened survival compared to patients with a lower SUVmax (<6.5) (OS, 5.0 ± 1.1 m vs. not reached - longest 122.0 m; p < 0.001). Moreover, our data prove that a higher number (>3) of focal lesions (pre-HCT: both PFS and OS: p < 0.001; post-HCT PFS: p < 0.001, OS: p = 0.139) as well as the presence of extramedullary disease serve as adverse prognostic factors prior to and after allo-HCT. At response assessment after allo-HCT, [18F]FDG-PET/CT had a complementary value in prognostication in addition to IMWG criteria alone.

Conclusion

[18F]FDG-PET/CT before and shortly after allogeneic HCT is a powerful predictor for progression-free and overall survival in MM patients.

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Funding

Wilhelm Sander-Stiftung, grant 2013.906.1.

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Correspondence to Constantin Lapa.

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All procedures involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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All authors state that they have nothing to disclose.

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Stolzenburg, A., Lückerath, K., Samnick, S. et al. Prognostic value of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in multiple myeloma patients before and after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 45, 1694–1704 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-018-3997-0

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