PET/CT with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 11C-methionine after autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma patients

Abstract

Aim: to compare the results of tumor visualization when using 18F-FDG and 11C-methionine PET/CT after auto-HSCT in MM patients. Materials and methods. A prospective study included 27 MM patients subjected to 18F-FDG and 11C-methionine PET/CT on day 100 after auto-HSCT. Obtained images were visually and semi - quantitatively analyzed. Focal areas of increased uptake for every radiopharmaceutical agent (hypermetabolic foci) not associated with its physiological distribution were registered. Maximum Standardized Uptake Values (SUVmax) in pathological foci were automatically calculated for every radiopharmaceutical agent separately. PET/CT findings were compared to antitumor response achieved after auto-HSCT according to International MM Working Group criteria. Results. After auto-HSCT, the majority of patients (16/60%) achieved a complete response. Abnormal 18F-FDG uptake was registered in 37% (n=10) of patients, negative PET findings were obtained in 63% (n=17) of patients. 11C-methionine PET/CT revealed hypermetabolic foci in 67% (n=18) of patients, and there was no 11C-methionine uptake in 33% (n=9). Pathological foci of radiopharmaceutical agent uptake were 1.8 times more frequently revealed using PET/CT with 11C-methionine (p

Keywords

• multiple myeloma
• positron emission tomography/computed tomography
• autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-hsct)