Hodgkin lymphoma: hypodense lesions in mediastinal masses.

Hypodense volumes (HDV) in mediastinal masses can be visualized in a computed tomography scan in Hodgkin lymphoma. We analyzed staging CT scans of 1178 patients with mediastinal involvement from the EuroNet-PHL-C1 trial and explored correlations of HDV with patient characteristics, mediastinal tumor volume and progression-free survival. HDV occurred in 350 of 1178 patients (29.7%), typically in larger mediastinal volumes. There were different patterns in appearance with single lesions found in 243 patients (69.4%), multiple lesions in 107 patients (30.6%). Well delineated lesions were found in 248 cases (70.1%), diffuse lesions were seen in 102 cases (29.1%). Clinically, B symptoms occurred more often in patients with HDV (47.7% compared to 35.0% without HDV (p = 0.039)) and patients with HDV tended to be in higher risk groups. Inadequate overall early-18F-FDG-PET-response was strongly correlated with the occurrence of hypodense lesions (p < 0.001). Patients with total HDV > 40 ml (n = 80) had a 5 year PFS of 79.6% compared to 89.7% (p = 0.01) in patients with HDV < 40 ml or no HDV. This difference in PFS is not caused by treatment group alone. HDV is a common phenomenon in HL with mediastinal involvement.

Pulmonary lesions in early response assessment in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma: prevalence and possible implications for initial staging.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated pulmonary involvement in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (pHL) is indicative of Ann Arbor stage IV disease. During staging, it is necessary to assess for coexistence of non-malignant lung lesions due to infection representing background noise to avoid erroneously upstaging with therapy intensification. OBJECTIVE: This study attempts to describe new lung lesions detected on interim staging computed tomography (CT) scans after two cycles of vincristine, etoposide, prednisolone, doxorubicin in a prospective clinical trial. Based on the hypothesis that these new lung lesions are not part of the underlying malignancy but are epiphenomena, the aim is to analyze their size, number, and pattern to help distinguish true lung metastases from benign lung lesions on initial staging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the EuroNet-PHL-C1 trial re-evaluated the staging and interim lung CT scans of 1,300 pediatric patients with HL. Newly developed lung lesions during chemotherapy were classified according to the current Fleischner glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. Patients with new lung lesions found at early response assessment (ERA) were additionally assessed and compared to response seen in hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. RESULTS: Of 1,300 patients at ERA, 119 (9.2%) had new pulmonary lesions not originally detectable at diagnosis. The phenomenon occurred regardless of initial lung involvement or whether a patient relapsed. In the latter group, new lung lesions on ERA regressed by the time of relapse staging. New lung lesions on ERA in patients without relapse were detected in 102 (7.8%) patients. Pulmonary nodules were recorded in 72 (5.5%) patients, the majority (97%) being<10 mm. Consolidations, ground-glass opacities, and parenchymal bands were less common. CONCLUSION: New nodules on interim staging are common, mostly measure less than 10 mm in diameter and usually require no further action because they are most likely non-malignant. Since it must be assumed that benign and malignant lung lesions coexist on initial staging, this benign background noise needs to be distinguished from lung metastases to avoid upstaging to stage IV disease. Raising the cut-off size for lung nodules to ≥ 10 mm might achieve the reduction of overtreatment but needs to be further evaluated with survival data. In contrast to the staging criteria of EuroNet-PHL-C1 and C2, our data suggest that the number of lesions present at initial staging may be less important.

Differentiation between rebound thymic hyperplasia and thymic relapse after chemotherapy in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Rebound thymic hyperplasia (RTH) is a common phenomenon caused by stress factors such as chemotherapy (CTX) or radiotherapy, with an incidence between 44% and 67.7% in pediatric lymphoma. Misinterpretation of RTH and thymic lymphoma relapse (LR) may lead to unnecessary diagnostic procedures including invasive biopsies or treatment intensification. The aim of this study was to identify parameters that differentiate between RTH and thymic LR in the anterior mediastinum. METHODS: After completion of CTX, we analyzed computed tomographies (CTs) and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of 291 patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) and adequate imaging available from the European Network for Pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma C1 trial. In all patients with biopsy-proven LR, an additional fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)-CT was assessed. Structure and morphologic configuration in addition to calcifications and presence of multiple masses in the thymic region and signs of extrathymic LR were evaluated. RESULTS: After CTX, a significant volume increase of new or growing masses in the thymic space occurred in 133 of 291 patients. Without biopsy, only 98 patients could be identified as RTH or LR. No single finding related to thymic regrowth allowed differentiation between RTH and LR. However, the vast majority of cases with thymic LR presented with additional increasing tumor masses (33/34). All RTH patients (64/64) presented with isolated thymic growth. CONCLUSION: Isolated thymic LR is very uncommon. CHL relapse should be suspected when increasing tumor masses are present in distant sites outside of the thymic area. Conversely, if regrowth of lymphoma in other sites can be excluded, isolated thymic mass after CTX likely represents RTH.

Response-adapted omission of radiotherapy in children and adolescents with early-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma and an adequate response to vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, and doxorubicin (EuroNet-PHL-C1): a titration study.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with early-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma have a 5-year event-free survival of 90% or more with vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, and doxorubicin (OEPA) plus radiotherapy, but late complications of treatment affect survival and quality of life. We investigated whether radiotherapy can be omitted in patients with adequate morphological and metabolic responses to OEPA. METHODS: The EuroNet-PHL-C1 trial was designed as a titration study and recruited patients at 186 hospital sites across 16 European countries. Children and adolescents with newly diagnosed stage IA, IB, and IIA classical Hodgkin lymphoma younger than 18 years of age were assigned to treatment group 1 to be treated with two cycles of OEPA (vincristine 1·5 mg/m2 intravenously, capped at 2 mg, on days 1, 8, and 15; etoposide 125 mg/m2 intravenously, on days 1-5; prednisone 60 mg/m2 orally on days 1-15; and doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1 and 15). If no adequate response (a partial morphological remission or greater and PET negativity) had been achieved after two cycles of OEPA, involved-field radiotherapy was administered at a total dose of 19·8 Gy (usually in 11 fractions of 1·8 Gy per day). The primary endpoint was event-free survival. The primary objective was maintaining a 5-year event-free survival rate of 90% in patients with an adequate response to OEPA without radiotherapy. We performed intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00433459) and with EUDRACT, (2006-000995-33) and is completed. FINDINGS: Between Jan 31, 2007, and Jan 30, 2013, 2131 patients were registered and 2102 patients were enrolled onto EuroNet-PHL-C1. Of these 2102 patients, 738 with early-stage disease were allocated to treatment group 1. Median follow-up was 63·3 months (IQR 60·1-69·8). We report on 714 patients assigned to and treated on treatment group 1; the intention-to-treat population comprised 713 patients with 323 (45%) male and 390 (55%) female patients. In 440 of 713 patients in the intention-to-treat group who had an adequate response and did not receive radiotherapy, 5-year event-free survival was 86·5% (95% CI 83·3-89·8), which was less than the 90% target rate. In 273 patients with an inadequate response who received radiotherapy, 5-year event-free survival was 88·6% (95% CI 84·8-92·5), for which the 95% CI included the 90% target rate. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (in 597 [88%] of 680 patients) and leukopenia (437 [61%] of 712). There were no treatment-related deaths. INTERPRETATION: On the basis of all the evidence, radiotherapy could be omitted in patients with early-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma and an adequate response to OEPA, but patients with risk factors might need more intensive treatment. FUNDING: Deutsche Krebshilfe, Elternverein für Krebs-und leukämiekranke Kinder, Gießen, Kinderkrebsstiftung Mainz of the Journal Oldtimer Markt, Tour der Hoffnung, Menschen für Kinder, Mitteldeutsche Kinderkrebsforschung, Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique, and Cancer Research UK.

Prevalence of anemia at diagnosis of pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia and prognostic impact on the disease course.

The clinical presentation of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) at diagnosis differs in children compared to adults. At younger age, anemia appears to be frequent at diagnosis, but its prevalence and its impact on prognosis are not well known. In the International Registry of Childhood CML, we selected children and adolescents in chronic phase at diagnosis of CML and treated upfront with imatinib. We examined their hemoglobin level at diagnosis according to the WHO grades to assess the prevalence of anemia and its impact on response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Data on 430 patients were included. Anemia at diagnosis was observed in 350 patients (81%), with a mean hemoglobin level of 96.4 g/l (SD 23.6). Among them, 182 patients (52%) presented with moderate anemia and 110 (31%) with severe anemia while 58 (17%) had mild anemia. Compared with mild and no anemia, moderate and severe forms were significantly associated with younger age at diagnosis, asthenia, splenomegaly, and increased leukocyte and basophil counts. Delays in achieving major and deep molecular responses were significantly increased for patients with moderate and severe anemia, and also failure of imatinib treatment was more frequent in these two sub-cohorts. However, hemoglobin level was not significantly associated with survival. Anemia at diagnosis of pediatric CML was frequent and may be considered as a prognostic factor.

Dinutuximab beta in the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma: A follow-up of a case series in Bratislava.

ABSTRACT: Despite therapeutic advances, high-risk neuroblastoma is still associated with a poor long-term prognosis. Immunotherapy with the anti-GD2 antibody dinutuximab beta has recently been added to the standard of care for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma in our center in Bratislava, and our initial experience with dinutuximab beta has been reported previously. Here we provide a follow-up on the outcomes of 7 patients who were treated with dinutuximab beta under clinical practice conditions at our center.Medical records of 31 patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma between 2017 and 2020 at the Children's Hematology and Oncology Clinic in Bratislava were retrospectively reviewed and 7 patients with high-risk neuroblastoma who were treated with dinutuximab beta were identified. All 7 patients received dinutuximab beta as continuous infusion over 10 days at a dose of 10 mg/m2/day for 5 cycles, following induction and consolidation therapy. Supportive therapy was administered to manage adverse events. Clinical outcomes and treatment tolerance were evaluated.Six of 7 patients treated with dinutuximab beta achieved complete remission, with a median duration of response of 21.5 months as of January 2022, and 1 displayed stable disease 21 months after treatment completion. Treatment was tolerable in most patients, with the majority of adverse events managed with supportive care.Dinutuximab beta is an effective immunotherapy for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma in routine clinical practice when coupled with optimal supportive management of adverse events.

Response-adapted omission of radiotherapy and comparison of consolidation chemotherapy in children and adolescents with intermediate-stage and advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma (EuroNet-PHL-C1): a titration study with an open-label, embedded, multinational, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with intermediate-stage and advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma achieve an event-free survival at 5 years of about 90% after treatment with vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, and doxorubicin (OEPA) followed by cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and procarbazine (COPP) and radiotherapy, but long-term treatment effects affect survival and quality of life. We aimed to investigate whether radiotherapy can be omitted in patients with morphological and metabolic adequate response to OEPA and whether modified consolidation chemotherapy reduces gonadotoxicity. METHODS: Our study was designed as a titration study with an open-label, embedded, multinational, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial, and was carried out at 186 hospital sites across 16 European countries. Children and adolescents with newly diagnosed intermediate-stage (treatment group 2) and advanced-stage (treatment group 3) classical Hodgkin lymphoma who were younger than 18 years and stratified according to risk using Ann Arbor disease stages IIAE, IIB, IIBE, IIIA, IIIAE, IIIB, IIIBE, and all stages IV (A, B, AE, and BE) were included in the study. Patients with early disease (treatment group 1) were excluded from this analysis. All patients were treated with two cycles of OEPA (1·5 mg/m2 vincristine taken intravenously capped at 2 mg, on days 1, 8, and 15; 125 mg/m2 etoposide taken intravenously on days 1-5; 60 mg/m2 prednisone taken orally on days 1-15; and 40 mg/m2 doxorubicin taken intravenously on days 1 and 15). Patients were randomly assigned to two (treatment group 2) or four (treatment group 3) cycles of COPP (500 mg/m2 cyclophosphamide taken intravenously on days 1 and 8; 1·5 mg/m2 vincristine taken intravenously capped at 2 mg, on days 1 and 8; 40 mg/m2 prednisone taken orally on days 1 to 15; and 100 mg/m2 procarbazine taken orally on days 1 to 15) or COPDAC, which was identical to COPP except that 250 mg/m2 dacarbazine administered intravenously on days 1 to 3 replaced procarbazine. The method of randomisation (1:1) was minimisation with stochastic component and was centrally stratified by treatment group, country, trial sites, and sex. The primary endpoint was event-free survival, defined as time from treatment start until the first of the following events: death from any cause, progression or relapse of classical Hodgkin lymphoma, or occurrence of secondary malignancy. The primary objectives were maintaining 90% event-free survival at 5 years in patients with adequate response to OEPA treated without radiotherapy and to exclude a decrease of 8% in event-free survival at 5 years in the embedded COPDAC versus COPP randomisation to show non-inferiority of COPDAC. Efficacy analyses are reported per protocol and safety in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (trial number NCT00433459) and EUDRACT (trial number 2006-000995-33), and is closed to recruitment. FINDINGS: Between Jan 31, 2007, and Jan 30, 2013, 2102 patients were recruited. 737 (35%) of the 2102 recruited patients were in treatment group 1 (early-stage disease) and were not included in our analysis. 1365 (65%) of the 2102 patients were in treatment group 2 (intermediate-stage disease; n=455) and treatment group 3 (advanced-stage disease; n=910). Of these 1365, 1287 (94%) patients (435 [34%] of 1287 in treatment group 2 and 852 [66%] of 1287 in treatment group 3) were included in the titration trial per-protocol analysis. 937 (69%) of 1365 patients were randomly assigned to COPP (n=471) or COPDAC (n=466) in the embedded trial. Median follow-up was 66·5 months (IQR 62·7-71·7). Of 1287 patients in the per-protocol group, 514 (40%) had an adequate response to treatment and were not treated with radiotherapy (215 [49%] of 435 in treatment group 2 and 299 [35%] of 852 in treatment group 3). 773 (60%) of 1287 patients with inadequate response were scheduled for radiotherapy (220 [51%] of 435 in the treatment group 2 and 553 [65%] of 852 in treatment group 3. In patients who responded adequately, event-free survival rates at 5 years were 90·1% (95% CI 87·5-92·7). event-free survival rates at 5 years in 892 patients who were randomly assigned to treatment and analysed per protocol were 89·9% (95% CI 87·1-92·8) for COPP (n=444) versus 86·1% (82·9-89·4) for COPDAC (n=448). The COPDAC minus COPP difference in event-free survival at 5 years was -3·7% (-8·0 to 0·6). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events (intention-to-treat population) were decreased haemoglobin (205 [15%] of 1365 patients during OEPA vs 37 [7%] of 528 treated with COPP vs 20 [2%] of 819 treated with COPDAC), decreased white blood cells (815 [60%] vs 231 [44%] vs 84 [10%]), and decreased neutrophils (1160 [85%] vs 223 [42%] vs 174 [21%]). One patient in treatment group 2 died of sepsis after the first cycle of OEPA; no other treatment-related deaths occurred. INTERPRETATION: Our results show that radiotherapy can be omitted in patients who adequately respond to treatment, when consolidated with COPP or COPDAC. COPDAC might be less effective, but is substantially less gonadotoxic than COPP. A high proportion of patients could therefore be spared radiotherapy, eventually reducing the late effects of treatment. With more refined criteria for response assessment, the number of patients who receive radiotherapy will be further decreased. FUNDING: Deutsche Krebshilfe, Elternverein für Krebs-und leukämiekranke Kinder Gießen, Kinderkrebsstiftung Mainz, Tour der Hoffnung, Menschen für Kinder, Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique, and Cancer Research UK.

Assessment of Waldeyer's ring in pediatric and adolescent Hodgkin lymphoma patients-Importance of multimodality imaging: Results from the EuroNet-PHL-C1 trial.

BACKGROUND: In the EuroNet Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma (EuroNet-PHL) trials, decision on Waldeyer's ring (WR) involvement is usually based on clinical assessment, that is, physical examination and/or nasopharyngoscopy. However, clinical assessment only evaluates mucosal surface and is prone to interobserver variability. Modern cross-sectional imaging technology may provide valuable information beyond mucosal surface, which may lead to a more accurate WR staging. PATIENTS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: The EuroNet-PHL-C1 trial recruited 2102 patients, of which 1752 underwent central review including reference reading of their cross-sectional imaging data. In 14 of 1752 patients, WR was considered involved according to clinical assessment. In these 14 patients, the WR was re-assessed by applying an imaging-based algorithm considering information from 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and/or magnetic resonance imaging. For verification purposes, the imaging-based algorithm was applied to 100 consecutive patients whose WR was inconspicuous on clinical assessment. RESULTS: The imaging-based algorithm confirmed WR involvement only in four of the 14 patients. Of the remaining 10 patients, four had retropharyngeal lymph node involvement and six an inconspicuous WR. Applying the imaging-based algorithm to 100 consecutive patients with physiological appearance of their WR on clinical assessment, absence of WR involvement could be confirmed in 99. However, suspicion of WR involvement was raised in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: The imaging-based algorithm was feasible and easily applicable at initial staging of young patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. It increased the accuracy of WR staging, which may contribute to a more individualized treatment in the future.

Implementation of immunotherapy into the treatment of neuroblastoma - single center experience with the administration of dinutuximab and management of its adverse effects.

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour of childhood with extremely heterogeneous bio-logical and clinical behaviour. Despite advances in its treatment, the long-term prognosis of patients with a high-risk and relapsed neuroblastoma remains poor. The implementation of immunotherapy into the treatment protocols has the potential to improve it. Dinutuximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody, leads to the apoptosis of tumour cells through binding to the GD2 receptor. The article aim is to present the first experience of our centre with dinutuximab treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 2018-2019, we administered 31 cycles of dinutuximab to seven patients. Five patients with high-risk neuroblastoma received dinutuximab in the first line, in two patients with relapse, dinutuximab was administered in the second line of treatment. To evaluate the toxicity of the treatment, the nursing records of patients during immunotherapy were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Two patients treated with dinutuximab in the first line are in complete remission, three patients achieved a partial response. Both patients with relapsed neuroblastoma were dia-gnosed with a second relapse after immunotherapy and died of disease progression. The treatment tolerance was acceptable in most patients - in six patients adverse events were managed with adequate supportive care. These were mainly symptoms of capillary leak syndrome, pain and hypersensitivity reactions. In one patient, the treatment was discontinued due to severe neurotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Dinutuximab has a proven benefit in the eradication of the minimal residual disease in the treatment of neuroblastoma. Immunotherapy is currently the standard for first-line treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma. Its role in the treatment of relapsed neuroblastoma is a subject of several ongoing studies as well as the optimization of therapeutic regimens. Dinutuximab administration is associated with a considerable risk of severe adverse reactions, so the treatment belongs to the hands of an experienced paediatric oncology centre.

Invasive Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis in Pediatric Patient with Acute Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections are a life-threatening complication of cancer treatments, especially in hemato-oncological patients. Mucormycosis is the third leading cause of invasive fungal infections after Aspergillus and Candida infections. The first clinical symptoms are usually non-specific, which can lead to a late diagnosis and delayed therapy. PURPOSE: The objective of this report is to summarize data in the literature about mucormycosis and to present a case report of a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who developed this infection at our center. Risk factors for the development of mucormycosis, clinical symptoms, radiology, laboratory results, and outcome were retrospectively evaluated. CASE: We describe a 6-years-old female patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. During the induction phase of therapy, the patient developed febrile neutropenia and did not respond to therapy with a combination of antibiotics and supportive treatment. Pansinusitis and orbitocellulitis developed. Examination of the biological material revealed that the etiological agent was a Rhizopus sp. The patient was treated with a combination of antimycotic drugs, but the infection disseminated to the central nervous system. She underwent radical surgical resection of the affected tissue. At this time, she is still under treatment with antimycotic and oncology agents, but is in remission of the main diagnosis and in good clinical condition. CONCLUSION: Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and initiation of effective therapy using a combination of amphotericin B administration and surgery are necessary to obtain a favorable outcome. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.

18F-FDG PET Response of Skeletal (Bone Marrow and Bone) Involvement After Induction Chemotherapy in Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma: Are Specific Response Criteria Required?

To determine whether the current 18F-FDG PET response criterion for skeletal involvement in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is suitable, we performed a systematic evaluation of the different types of skeletal involvement and their response on PET after 2 cycles of chemotherapy (PET-2). A secondary objective was to observe the influence of the initial uptake intensity (measured as qPET) and initial metabolic tumor volume (MTV) of skeletal lesions on the PET-2 response. Methods: The initial PET scans of 1,068 pediatric HL patients from the EuroNet-PHL-C1 trial were evaluated for skeletal involvement by central review. Three types of skeletal lesions were distinguished: PET-only lesions (those detected on PET only), bone marrow (BM) lesions (as confirmed by MRI or BM biopsy), and bone lesions. qPET and MTV were calculated for each skeletal lesion. All PET-2 scans were assessed for residual tumor activity. The rates of complete metabolic response for skeletal and nodal involvement on PET-2 were compared. Results: Of the 1,068 patients, 139 (13%) showed skeletal involvement (44 PET-only, 32 BM, and 63 bone). Of the 139 patients with skeletal involvement, 101 (73%) became PET-2-negative in the skeleton and 94 (68%) became PET-2-negative in the lymph nodes. The highest number of PET-2-negative scans in the skeleton was 42 (95%) in the 44 PET-only patients, followed by 22 skeletal lesions (69%) in the 32 BM patients and 37 (59%) in the 63 bone patients. Lesions that became PET-2-negative showed a lower initial median qPET (2.74) and MTV (2 cm3) than lesions that remained PET-2-positive (3.84 and 7 cm3, respectively). Conclusion: In this study with pediatric HL patients, the complete response rate for skeletal involvement on PET-2 was similar to that for nodal involvement. Bone flare seemed to be irrelevant. Overall, the current skeletal PET response criterion-comparison with the local skeletal background-is well suited. The initial qPET and MTV of skeletal lesions were predictive of the PET-2 result. Higher values for both parameters were associated with a worse PET-2 response.

qPET - a quantitative extension of the Deauville scale to assess response in interim FDG-PET scans in lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Interim FDG-PET is used for treatment tailoring in lymphoma. Deauville response criteria consist of five ordinal categories based on visual comparison of residual tumor uptake to physiological reference uptakes. However, PET-response is a continuum and visual assessments can be distorted by optical illusions. OBJECTIVES: With a novel semi-automatic quantification tool we eliminate optical illusions and extend the Deauville score to a continuous scale. PATIENTS AND METHODS: SUVpeak of residual tumors and average uptake of the liver is measured with standardized volumes of interest. The qPET value is the quotient of these measurements. Deauville scores and qPET-values were determined in 898 pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma patients after two OEPA chemotherapy cycles. RESULTS: Deauville categories translate to thresholds on the qPET scale: Categories 3, 4, 5 correspond to qPET values of 0.95, 1.3 and 2.0, respectively. The distribution of qPET values is unimodal with a peak representing metabolically normal responses and a tail of clearly abnormal outliers. In our patients, the peak is at qPET = 0.95 coinciding with the border between Deauville 2 and 3. qPET cut values of 1.3 or 2 (determined by fitting mixture models) select abnormal metabolic responses with high sensitivity, respectively, specificity. CONCLUSIONS: qPET methodology provides semi-automatic quantification for interim FDG-PET response in lymphoma extending ordinal Deauville scoring to a continuous scale. Deauville categories correspond to certain qPET cut values. Thresholds between normal and abnormal response can be derived from the qPET-distribution without need for follow-up data. In our patients, qPET < 1.3 excludes abnormal response with high sensitivity.