RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of interim 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS: A total of 97 patients with pathologically diagnosed DLBCL at Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute from March 2015 to June 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC) was used to calculate the optimum maximum standard uptake value reduction ratio (â³SUVmax%) cut-off value. The prognostic value of â³SUVmax% and Deauville five-point scale (5-PS) in patients with DLBCL was compared, and the determined prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: ROC curve indicated that the optimum â³SUV max% cut-off value was 74.9%. Patients with â³SUVmax%≥74.9% had a lower rate of progression or recurrence than those with â³SUVmax% < 74.9% (both P<0.001). Meanwhile, patients with 5-PS score < 4 also had a lower rate of progression or recurrence than those with 5-PS score≥4 (both P<0.001). â³SUVmax% and 5-PS had high specificity (83.7% vs 83.7%) and negative predictive value (87.3% vs 84.9%), while low sensitivity (56.0% vs 52.2%) and positive predictive value (53.8% vs 50.0%). â³SUVmax% was more sensitive than 5-PS for the corresponding parameters (78.3% vs 76.2%). Univariate analysis showed that Ann Arbor stage, international prognostic index of National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN-IPI), â³SUVmax% and 5-PS were associated with TTP and PFS (all P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that â³SUVmax% was an independent predictor of TTP and PFS (P=0.031, P=0.023). CONCLUSION: Both 5-PS and â³SUVmax% can be used to evaluate the prognosis of DLBCL patients, but the predictive value of â³SUVmax% is superior to that of 5-PS.