| AJNMMI Copyright © 2011-present, All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711, USA |
Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2011;1(1):56-64.
Original article
How to study optimal timing of PET/CT for monitoring of cancer treatment
Werner Vach, Poul Flemming Høilund-Carlsen, Barbara Malene Fischer, Oke Gerke, Wolfgang Weber
Clinical Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biometry and Medical Informatics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 26,
D-79104 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000 Odense C,
Denmark; Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Kettegård Alle 30, DK-2650
Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, D-79106 Freiburg,
Germany.
Received June 5, 2011; accepted July 5, 2011; Epub July 20, 2011; Published August 15, 2011
Abstract: Purpose: The use of PET/CT for monitoring treatment response in cancer patients after chemo- or radiotherapy is a very
promising approach to optimize cancer treatment. However, the timing of the PET/CT based evaluation of reduction in viable tumor
tissue is a crucial question. We investigated how to plan and analyze studies to optimize this timing. Methods: General
considerations about studying the optimal timing are given and four fundamental steps are illustrated using data from a published
study. Results: The optimal timing should be examined by optimizing the schedule with respect to predicting the overall individual
time course we can observe in the case of dense measurements. The optimal timing needs not to and should not be studied by
optimizing the association with the prognosis of the patient. Conclusions: The optimal timing should be examined in specific
‘schedule optimizing studies’. These should be clearly distinguished from studies evaluating the prognostic value of a reduction in
viable tumor tissue. (ajnmmi1106001).
Keywords: Cancer, response evaluation, prognostic value, optimal schedule
Full text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Werner Vach,
University Medical Center Freiburg
Clinical Epidemiology
Institute of Medical Biometry and Medical Informatics
Stefan Meier Str. 26, D-79104 Freiburg,
Tel: +49 761 203 6722, Fax: +49 761 203 6680
E-mail: wv@imbi.uni-freiburg.de
Original article
How to study optimal timing of PET/CT for monitoring of cancer treatment
Werner Vach, Poul Flemming Høilund-Carlsen, Barbara Malene Fischer, Oke Gerke, Wolfgang Weber
Clinical Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biometry and Medical Informatics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 26,
D-79104 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000 Odense C,
Denmark; Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Kettegård Alle 30, DK-2650
Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, D-79106 Freiburg,
Germany.
Received June 5, 2011; accepted July 5, 2011; Epub July 20, 2011; Published August 15, 2011
Abstract: Purpose: The use of PET/CT for monitoring treatment response in cancer patients after chemo- or radiotherapy is a very
promising approach to optimize cancer treatment. However, the timing of the PET/CT based evaluation of reduction in viable tumor
tissue is a crucial question. We investigated how to plan and analyze studies to optimize this timing. Methods: General
considerations about studying the optimal timing are given and four fundamental steps are illustrated using data from a published
study. Results: The optimal timing should be examined by optimizing the schedule with respect to predicting the overall individual
time course we can observe in the case of dense measurements. The optimal timing needs not to and should not be studied by
optimizing the association with the prognosis of the patient. Conclusions: The optimal timing should be examined in specific
‘schedule optimizing studies’. These should be clearly distinguished from studies evaluating the prognostic value of a reduction in
viable tumor tissue. (ajnmmi1106001).
Keywords: Cancer, response evaluation, prognostic value, optimal schedule
Full text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Werner Vach,
University Medical Center Freiburg
Clinical Epidemiology
Institute of Medical Biometry and Medical Informatics
Stefan Meier Str. 26, D-79104 Freiburg,
Tel: +49 761 203 6722, Fax: +49 761 203 6680
E-mail: wv@imbi.uni-freiburg.de
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