Prognostic Value of 2-Deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography after Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Lymphoma Using Deauville Scores

Abstract

Purpose. In the present study, we mainly aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in lymphoma. Procedures. A total of 76 lymphoma patients who benefited from [18F]F-FDG PET-CT (within 3 months and 3–6 months) after ASCT in our institution between April 2010 and December 2019 were enrolled in this retrospective study. These abovementioned patients were divided into two groups based on the Deauville criteria. The Kaplan–Meier method was used in survival analysis, and the log-rank method was adopted in comparison. Prognostic factor analysis was performed by the Cox regression model. Results. Positive post-ASCT [18F]F-FDG PET-CT was associated with lower progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) ( $p$  = 0.001 and $p$  = 0.022, respectively). Univariate analysis showed the post-ASCT PET-CT result was the only independent factor associated with PFS ( $p$  = 0.002). Both the number of previous treatments and post-ASCT PET-CT result had a different impact on OS ( $p$  = 0.040 and $p$  = 0.028, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed the post-ASCT PET-CT result was the only independent factor associated with OS ( $p$  = 0.028). The results showed no significant change from the abovementioned results when DS < 3 was defined as the negative result. For patients who had a PET-CT scan within 3–6 months after ASCT, the negative PET-CT group had a better prognosis including PFS and OS ( $p$  = 0.009 and $p$  = 0.025, respectively). However, among the patients receiving PET-CT within 3 months, the result was not statistically significant ( $p$  = 0.064 and $p$  = 0.445, respectively). Conclusion. Collectively, we found that the post-ASCT [18F]F-FDG PET-CT was a strong indicator for PFS and OS, and a time window of 3–6 months was appropriate for post-ASCT [18F]F-FDG PET-CT. Trial registration number: ChiCTR2100042745.