The PET/CT scans were performed with a General Electric Discovery MI (GEDMI) Scanner or a Siemens Biograph 6 Scanner. PET/CT and CT images were acquired in the same session after injection of 2.5-3 MBq/kg 18 F-FDG ( uorodeoxyglucose) for the GEDMI Scanner and 4-5 MBq/kg 18 F-FDG for the Siemens scanner. All follow-ups were performed in the GEDMI scanner. CT scans obtained with a low-dose protocol were used for attenuation correction of the PET/CT images. Interim and EOT 18 FDG-PET/CT scans were visually assessed according to the D5PS, with 18 FDG uptake of any residual lesion, using mediastinal blood pool and liver uptake as reference settings. PET/CT was considered to be positive when the Deauville's score was four or ve, and Deauville's scores from one to three were classi ed as PET/CT negative.
In rst-line therapy, PET/CT was performed before starting the treatment, after four cycles (n = 36), and at the end of treatment (EOT, n = 50). After nishing induction, patients were closely monitored with a physical examination and routine laboratory tests. A new scan was performed only when new symptoms or laboratory changes were detected. PET/CT was generally performed at mid-induction (n = 8) and EOT (n = 13) for patients treated in other lines. The exact time-points are listed in Supplemental Table S4.
In rst-line therapy, PET/CT was performed before starting the treatment, after four cycles (n = 36), and at the end of treatment (EOT, n = 50). After nishing induction, patients were closely monitored with a physical examination and routine laboratory tests. A new scan was performed only when new symptoms or laboratory changes were detected. PET/CT was generally performed at mid-induction (n = 8) and EOT (n = 13) for patients treated in other lines. The exact time-points are listed in Supplemental Table S4.