Measuring response to chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer: Methodological considerations

Abstract

In this chapter the findings of response-monitoring studies in breast cancer, using [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) and positron emission tomography (PET), are summarised. These studies indicate that there is a strong relationship between response and decrease in FDG signal even at an early stage of therapy. The review concentrates on methodological aspects of monitoring response with FDG: timing of serial scans, ROI definition approach, method of quantification, pitfalls of FDG and future directions in functional imaging. For the sake of optimal clinical applicability there now is need to standardise methodology. This is necessary to establish firm cut-off values for discriminating responders from non-responders, which in turn will provide a means for optimal treatment for as many patients as possible. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.