In recent years, molecular imaging with
[F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography,
[F-18]FDG-PET, has become part of the standard of care in initial
staging of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Currently, there is
an increasing interest in the role of [F-18]FDG-PET in the evaluation
of biological characteristics of the tumor and the prediction of
response to anticancer therapies at an early phase of treatment.
According to the existing data, quantitative assessment of
therapy-induced changes in tumor [F-18]FDG uptake may allow the
prediction of tumor response and patient outcome very early in the
course of therapy. Treatment may be adjusted according to the
chemosensitivity of the tumor tissue in an individual patient. Thus,
[F-18]FDG-PET has the potential to reduce the side effects and costs
of ineffective therapy. This review provides an update on recent studies
that evaluate the role of [F-18]FDG-PET in the early prediction of
response to chemotherapy and prognosis in patients with non-small-cell
lung cancer. In addition, it discusses the application of
[F-18]FDG-PET to the monitoring of new targeted forms of anticancer
therapy and particularly of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine
kinase inhibitors. Finally, it evaluates the usefulness of
[F-18]fluorothymidine, a PET tracer for imaging tumor proliferation,
in predicting response to therapy in patients with lung cancer
