title: Positron emission tomography-computed tomography on predicting the efficacy of targeted therapy for lung adenocarcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) was used to monitor the maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax) in advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients with epithermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation to prove its role in predicting the prognosis of targeted therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 46 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma (IIIb-IV stage) were enrolled in the current study. They were positive for EGFR mutation. All patients received gefitinib (250 mg per day, administered orally). PET-CT was conducted prior to (at baseline) and six months after gefitinib administration for the lesion size and SUVmax. The recommendations of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria were chosen for PET assessment. Metabolic response (SUV decline < -25%) was compared with morphologic response evaluated by CT scan and overall survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to patients with △SUV% ≥ 25% (progressive metabolic disease), the survival time was significantly prolonged in △SUV% < -25% (including complete metabolic response and progressive metabolic disease) (10.6/18.4, P = 0.000), but was not in -25% ≤ △SUV% < 25% (stable metabolic disease) (10.6/10.7, P = 0.088). Patients who achieved △SUV% < -25% after treatment were associated with a longer median survival, higher control rate, and better prognosis. There was a strong correlation between SUV changes (△SUV%) and CT size change (△lesion size%) (R(2) = 0.891, P = 0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes in the SUV could be used to predict the prognosis of targeted therapy in advanced lung adenocarcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoxiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rong
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Jinzhang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: PET Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Quanshi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Changxuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Wenyun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Chuanxin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Junyi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Rongcheng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luo
keywords: PET-CT; efficacy; gefitinib; lung adenocarcinoma; △SUV%