Can positron emission tomography–computed tomography-based three target lesions' total lesion glycolysis predict therapeutic response in Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Background Universally maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are used as tools for response assessment in Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) patients. Our objectives are to evaluate the predictive potential and response assessment of total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV)—maximum three target lesions—as another alternatives and to investigate the correlation between TLG and MTV with LDH. Results Both initial SUVmax and TLG were significantly associated with early patient response ( p value 0.03, 0.047, respectively). An optimal threshold for SUVmax and TLG less than or equal 19.52, and 158.6, respectively, correlated with better therapeutic response. Initial LDH was moderately correlated with initial values of TLG ( r s = 0.4, p value 0.01), MTV ( r s = 0.44, p value 0.01) and SUVmax ( r s = 0.42, p value 0.01). Conclusion TLG in correlation with LDH can be significant prognostic factors of therapeutic response in HL. They can be used for the identification of a subset of HL patients with a better outcome.