October 6, 2023
Inconsistent Use of PET-CT, Deauville Scores Seen in Advanced-Stage Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma in Community Oncology Settings
According to research published in JCO Oncology Practice, most patients with stage III/IV classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) undergoing frontline (1L) therapy in the community oncology setting receive at least 1 positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan. However, 12% of these patients do not get a baseline scan, and of those who do, nearly 20% do not get an interim scan. Additionally, Deauville 5-point scale (5PS) scores for interim scans that guide therapy adjustments are often underreported.
Researchers conducted a retrospective, observational study to evaluate the use of interim PET-CT scans and Deauville 5PS score reporting for stage III/IV cHL treated with 1L therapy in community oncology settings.
They used data from electronic health records of adults with stage III/IV cHL treated with 1L doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD); brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine; or an escalated dosing regimen of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone within the US Oncology Network between January 2017 and October 2019.
The study included 262 patients (median age, 41.2 years; range, 18.1-88.5 years; 57% male; 59% White; 49% stage III; 51% stage IV). Most patients had an International Prognostic Score <4 (76%) and received 1L ABVD (74%).
A total of 258 patients (99%) had ≥1 PET-CT scan. Of those, 88% had a baseline scan and 81% of these patients received a subsequent interim scan. In patients treated with ABVD who received both baseline and interim scans, Deauville 5PS scores were not reported for 45% of patients.
“These results highlight an opportunity to educate oncologists and radiologists on the role of Deauville 5PS scores for both treatment escalation and de-escalation in patients with stage III/IV cHL treated with a PET-adapted approach and about regimens that do not require adjustment on the basis of interim PET-CT scan results,” conclude the study authors. Inconsistent Use of PET-CT, Deauville Scores Seen in Advanced-Stage Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma in Community Oncology Settings – Oncology Nurse Advisor