The prognostic value of interim positron emission tomography scan in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma

The prognostic value of interim positron emission tomography (PET) was evaluated after 2 cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastin and dacarbazine in classical Hodgkin lymphoma patients (n=229), based on Deauville criteria. In early stage non-bulky disease, bulky stage II disease, advanced stage low International Prognostic Score (IPS <= 2) and advanced stage (IPS >= 3), 3-year progression-free survival rates in PET2-negative vs. PET2-positive groups were 95 center dot 9% vs. 76 center dot 9% (P<0 center dot 0018), 83 center dot 3% vs. 20 center dot 0% (P=0 center dot 017), 77 center dot 0% vs. 30 center dot 0% (P<0 center dot 001) and 71 center dot 0% vs. 44 center dot 4%(P=0 center dot 155), respectively. The outcome after positive PET2 was better than previously reported. The results from non-randomized studies of PET2-guided therapy would be valuable with careful interpretation.