(18)F-FDG PET/CT and Melanoma: Staging, Immune Modulation and Mutation-Targeted Therapy Assessment, and Prognosis

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015 Aug;205(2):259-70. doi: 10.2214/AJR.14.13575.

Abstract

Objective: Monoclonal antibodies that target the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint protein and its associated ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, and targeted inhibitors of mutated signal transduction molecules such as BRAF inhibitors show immense promise in treating patients with melanoma. We discuss the use of (18)F-FDG PET/CT for assessing therapy effectiveness, staging advanced disease, and determining prognosis of patients with melanoma.

Conclusion: FDG PET/CT is useful in staging disease, assessing therapy, and determining prognosis in patients with melanoma.

Keywords: FDG PET/CT; immune modulation therapy; melanoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Melanoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Multimodal Imaging*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18