ASCO 2021 | FDG-PET avidity as a prognostic biomarker in RCC
Data is mixed regarding the use of positron emission tomography with (18F)-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), due to its variability in metabolic activity. Therefore, it is not considered standard of care in RCC and there is some controversy surrounding its role. Viktor Grünwald, MD, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany, outlines the findings of a study assessing the prognostic value of PET-positivity in RCC. A total of 90 patients with FDG-PET imaging during the course of their disease were analyzed. 63.3% of patients showed PET-positivity, with similar rates among those with metastatic and non-metastatic disease. It was demonstrated that PET-positive patients had a shorter median overall survival compared to PET-negative patients. The results identify PET-positivity as an independent prognostic factor in RCC. Further investigations are needed to define the role of FDG-PET imaging in clinical practice. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2021 Virtual Meeting.
Disclosures
Viktor Grünwald, MD has received advisory roles for BMS, MSD, EISAI, EUSAPharm, Merck-Serono, Nanobiotix, Pfizer and Roche; speaker’s honoraria for AstraZeneca, BMS, MSD, EISAI, Ipsen, Janssen-Cilag, Merck-Serono, Pfizer and Roche; stocks in AstraZeneca, BMS, MSD and SeattleGenetics; research grants from AstraZeneca, BMS, MSD, Ipsen and Pfizer; is a steering committee member for BMS, EISAI, Ipsen, Novartis and PharmaMar.
