Complex immunotherapy-mediated response patterns depicted on serial 18F-FDG PET imaging of Hodgkin lymphoma patient undergoing pembrolizumab therapy

TL;DR

This case report shows how serial PET scans can reveal complex immune response patterns in a Hodgkin lymphoma patient receiving immunotherapy.

Contribution

The study highlights the value of serial 18F-FDG PET/CT in capturing atypical immunotherapy responses not captured by standard criteria.

Findings

Serial 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed two episodes of pseudoprogression during immunotherapy cycles.

An immunotherapy-enhanced abscopal effect was observed during radio-immunotherapy.

18F-FDG PET/CT provided superior predictive value for heterogeneous response patterns.

Abstract

Over the past decade, the role of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in assessing treatment response for lymphoma patients undergoing immunotherapy has been extensively investigated. The advent of immunotherapy has challenged the utility of the established Lugano criteria, prompting the development of novel immunotherapy-specific response criteria now employed in clinical practice. Following 18F-FDG PET/CT evaluation after up to eight immunotherapy cycles, patients are typically transitioned to conventional imaging modalities if immunotherapy continuation is warranted. This case report illustrates the application of serial 18F-FDG PET/CT in monitoring a 67-year-old patient with Hodgkin lymphoma receiving immunotherapy, revealing complex, atypical response patterns unresolved by existing criteria. Notably, two episodes of pseudoprogression occurred at two distinct time points, one during cycle 5 and the other during cycle 22. Furthermore, an immunotherapy-enhanced abscopal effect was seen during radio-immunotherapy, leading to short-term disease remission. Our findings suggest that 18F-FDG PET/CT provides superior predictive value in delineating heterogeneous response patterns, thereby informing critical decisions regarding immunotherapy cessation or adjunctive therapeutic interventions.

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