BACKGROUND/AIM: Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) represents an emerging biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We focused on the combination of ctDNA and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the follow-up monitoring of advanced-stage NSCLC patients treated with chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-four patients were enrolled in this study. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT and ctDNA assessments were performed at baseline and after two cycles of chemotherapy (follow-up). RESULTS: There was a correlation of ctDNA with metabolic tumour volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and iodine concentration (IC) at baseline (p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.003) and at follow-up (p=0.006, p=0.002, p=0.001). The objective response was associated with follow-up ctDNA (p<0.001) and the change of all PET/CT parameters. ROC analyses showed that the combination of follow-up ctDNA with changes in SUVmax is very promising for the estimation of objective response and progression-free survival. CONCLUSION: The combination of ctDNA assessment with PET/CT is a promising approach for the follow-up monitoring of therapy response and prognosis estimation of advanced-stage NSCLC patients.

• Keywords
• Circulating tumour DNA, PET/CT, liquid biopsy, non-small cell lung cancer, therapy response,
• MeSH
• Circulating Tumor DNA * genetics   MeSH
• Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 metabolism   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Glycolysis MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lung Neoplasms * diagnostic imaging   drug therapy   genetics   MeSH
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung * diagnostic imaging   drug therapy   genetics   MeSH
• Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography methods   MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Radiopharmaceuticals therapeutic use   MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Tumor Burden MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Circulating Tumor DNA * MeSH
• Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 MeSH
• Radiopharmaceuticals MeSH