18F-FDG PET in sarcoidosis: An observational study in 12 patients treated with infliximab

Ruth G.M. Keijsers*, J. F. Verzijlbergen, D. M. van Diepen, J. M.M. van den Bosch, J. C. Grutters

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

76 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: 18SF-FDG PET is a promising technique in sarcoidosis imaging, although it is not incorporated in routine activity assessment. The purpose of this study was to correlate 18SF-FDG PET with standard sarcoidosis activity parameters during infliximab treatment. Methods: Twelve patients with refractory sarcoidosis were treated with 6 cycles of infliximab. Pre- and post-therapy 18F-FDG PET was visually evaluated and SUVmax was measured. In addition, the effect of infliximab was evaluated by changes in symptoms, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), vital capacity (VC), diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and chest radiography. SUVmax and conventional parameters were correlated. Results: Clinical improvement as judged by conventional parameters was seen in all patients, though with a minor response in one. Symptoms improved in 11/12 patients while chest radiographic stages did not change. The decrease in ACE was 39% and in sIL-2R 47% (p<0.01). Improvement of VC and DLCO was 5.4% and 3.3% (p<0.05), respectively. 18SF-FDG PET revealed either improvement or normalization in 11/12 (92%) clinically responding patients. The overall decrease in SUVmax was 55% (p<0.01); the patient with a limited response showed a 34% increase. A decrease in SUVmax of the lung parenchyma correlated with an improvement of VC (r=-0.75, p<0.01). No significant correlation between SUVmax and other parameters was found. Conclusion: Changes imaged by 18SF-FDG PET during infliximab treatment in sarcoidosis patients correlate with signs of clinical improvement to a considerate extent, which supports the hypothesis that 18SF-FDG uptake represents disease activity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)143-150
Number of pages8
JournalSarcoidosis Vasculitis and Diffuse Lung Diseases
Volume25
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • F-FDG PET
  • Biological markers
  • Infliximab
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • Sarcoidosis

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