BERKELEY, CA (UroToday.com) - Objective response assessment is important to describe treatment efficacy of anticancer drugs. During the era of classic cytotoxic drugs, it was generally accepted that any effective treatment resulted in a decrease in tumor size. Response evaluation was based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). However, with the advent of new, targeted therapies, necrosis and cavitation, rather than shrinkage, were described as first response to treatment. Therefore, evaluation based on tumor size alone, as in the RECIST criteria, might no longer be adequate. Thus, therapy follow-up by CT should be based on evaluation criteria that comprise both size and density of the tumor under control.
In our retrospective multi-center analysis we confirm that combined analysis of tumor size and density (Choi criteria) at first follow-up in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors predicts survival better than analysis of tumor shrinkage (RECIST) alone.
As oncologists become aware of their effects, these new, targeted therapies require an objective response assessment for further therapy planning. Radiologists and urologists need to stay abreast of these changes.
Written by:
PD Dr. med.Silke Potthast as part of Beyond the Abstract on UroToday.com. This initiative offers a method of publishing for the professional urology community. Authors are given an opportunity to expand on the circumstances, limitations etc... of their research by referencing the published abstract.
Institute of Radiology, Spital Limmattal, Urdorferstrasse 100, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
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