The Lugano classification for response assessment in lymphoma recommends the use of the 5-point-scale Deauville Score (DS) to assess response evaluation of end-of-treatment FDG-PET/CT (eotPET) in Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL); nevertheless, there is a paucity of data on its accuracy and reproducibility. We focus here on the cohort of advanced stage IIb-IV HL patients enrolled in the HD0607 clinical trial (NCT identifier 00795613) that having had a negative interim PET performed 6 cycles of ABVD (Doxorubicin, Vinblastine, Vincristine and Dacarbazine) and then performed an eotPET. Negative patients were randomized to radiotherapy and no further treatment while positive patients were treated based on local policies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a gammaherpesvirus involved in the etiopathogenesis of a variety of human cancers, mostly of lymphoid and epithelial origin. The EBV infection participates in both cell transformation and tumor progression, also playing an important role in subverting immune responses against cancers. The homeostasis of the immune system is tightly regulated by inhibitory mechanisms affecting key immune effectors, such as T lymphocytes and NK cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancer Med
December 2020
Background: The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) can reflect both the myeloid dysfunction and T-cell immune suppression and have prognostic significance.
Methods: In 771 newly diagnosed advanced-stage Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) patients we evaluated the baseline values of NLR and LMR as predictors of clinical outcome. According to the multicenter prospective phase II GITIL-HD0607 trial, all patients received two ABVD courses and if PET-2 negative received four additional ABVD cycles while if PET-2-positive patients were randomized to either BEACOPP escalated (Be) plus BEACOPP baseline (Bb) (4 + 4 courses) or Be + Bb (4 + 4) and Rituximab.
FDG-PET/CT (PET) is now considered the standard imaging tool for Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) staging and restaging. However a CT-detected residual mass at the end of therapy (EoT) is still a challenge for PET interpretation. The aim of our study was to improve the overall accuracy of EoT PET/CT by using a dynamic dual-point scanning at 60 and 120 after FDG injection (2P-PET/CT).
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