What is the FDG-PET Lymphoma Project?
The FDG-PET Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Project is a phase III clinical trial to assess the value of FDG-PET in evaluating and comparing R-CHOP – the standard chemotherapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) – with dose-adjusted (DA)-EPOCH-R. EPOCH-R is a new regimen for DLBCL developed from studies examining drug schedule, resistance, and pharmacokinetics (the activity of the treatments in the body over a period of time). The “DA” refers to the adjustment of the treatment schedule based on whether the patient’s disease progresses and whether the treatment leads to unacceptable toxicity. The study will be coordinated by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB), a national clinical research group sponsored by NCI. Considerable evidence supports the association of post-therapy FDG-PET results with outcome in lymphoma patients. Specifically, FDG uptake has been a significant early predictor of residual or recurrent disease and disease progression, as well as progression-free survival and
