Early 18F-FDG PET Flare-up Phenomenon After CAR T-Cell Therapy in Lymphoma

Abstract

18F-FDG PET/CT imaging series were acquired on a 64-year-old woman with refractory diffuse large B lymphoma to monitor chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Because of a clinical deterioration, 18F-FDG PET/CT performed 8 days after CAR T-cell therapy suggested an early flare-up phenomenon with new lymph node involvement, lymph node progression while a decrease in metabolic tumor volume. The 18F-FDG PET/CT 1 month after CAR T-cell therapy confirmed this hypothesis. Pseudoprogression in solid tumors treated by immunotherapy has generally been reported later after treatment.