Impact of depiction of brown adipose tissue (bat) in baseline FDG PET/CT on progression-Free survival in lymphoma patients
Document Type
Article
Department
Medical College Pakistan; Radiology
Abstract
Introduction: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity seen on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) has been increasingly recognized as a potential biomarker in various cancers, including lymphomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between posttreatment survival outcomes and BAT activity depicted in baseline FDG PET/CT scans in lymphoma patients.
Material and method: This retrospective study was conducted at the PET/CT Section of the Department of Radiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan (2019-2025). The study was granted exemption by the Ethical Review Committee (2024-10630-31016). Patients with lymphoma (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's; HL; NHL) whose baseline FDG PET/CT revealed BAT activation were selected. FDG PET/CT scan was acquired using a standardized protocol adopted from the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Guidelines (2015). These patients were followed for a mean of 03 years (range 15-36 months) for survival outcome (progression-free survival; PFS).
Results: During the study period, 259 patients with lymphomas (96 HL and 163 HL) who had baseline FDG PET/CT were selected. The cohort included 75% males (n = 194) and 25% females (n = 65), with a median age of 58 years (range: 03-80). BAT activation was identified in 27% of patients (n = 69). A significant association was observed between BAT activation and higher 3-year PFS, with activated BAT patients achieving a survival rate of 78% compared to 58% in those without activation (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Lymphoma patients with activated BAT depicted in their baseline FDG PET/CTs showed longer progression-free survival than those without. This study also emphasizes the need for further evaluation of BAT's role in metabolism, tumor microenvironment, and long-term prognosis in patients with lymphomas.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention
DOI
10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2061
Recommended Citation
uz Zaman, M.,
Fatima, N.,
Zaman, S.,
Ahmad, A.,
Ahmed, U.,
Ahmed, M.,
Zaman, A.,
Hashmi, R. F.
(2026). Impact of depiction of brown adipose tissue (bat) in baseline FDG PET/CT on progression-Free survival in lymphoma patients. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention, 27(6), 2061-2064.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_radiol/560