Positron emission tomography using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose for response monitoring in locally advanced gastroesophageal cancer; a comparison of different analytical methods.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the ability of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) to monitor response in locally advanced gastroesophageal cancer (LAGEC). Additionally, optimal FDG-PET methods for response monitoring were selected.


METHODS
Sequential dynamic FDG-PET scans were performed in 13 patients with LAGEC (T2-3N0-1M0-1a) treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin and gemcitabine plus granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating growth factor at a three weekly schedule. The standard FDG-PET method, nonlinear regression (NLR), was compared with computed tomography (CT), endoscopic-ultrasound (EUS), and histopathology as well as with 21 simplified analytical FDG-PET methods.


RESULTS
Five out of 12 operated tumors responded histopathologically with less than 10% residual tumorcells (42%). These had a higher decrease in FDG uptake compared with nonresponders (P=0.008). Early (after two cycles) and late (after completed induction therapy) response evaluation showed a specificity of 86% and 100%, respectively, and a sensitivity of 100%. Both FDG-PET and EUS were superior to CT. From 21 methods analyzing FDG uptake, the quantitative Patlak analysis, the simplified kinetic method (SKM), and the semiquantitative standardized uptake value corrected for bodyweight (SUV-BW) seemed to correlate best with NLR.


CONCLUSIONS
FDG-PET reliably predicted response in LAGEC. FDG-PET measurements using Patlak analysis or the more clinical applicable SKM and SUV-BW were acceptable alternatives to NLR.
Kroep
Judith R
JR
Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Van Groeningen
Cornelis J
CJ
Cuesta
Miguel A
MA
Craanen
Mike E
ME
Hoekstra
Otto S
OS
Comans
Emile F I
EF
Bloemena
Elisabeth
E
Hoekstra
Corneline J
CJ
Golding
Richard P
RP
Twisk
Jos W R
JW
Peters
Godefridus J
GJ
Pinedo
Herbert M
HM
Lammertsma
Adriaan A
AA
D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005947:Glucose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D012372:ROC Curve; D011859:Radiography; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005947:Glucose