Molecular Imaging in Multiple Myeloma: An Update and Future Perspectives

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy after non-Hodgkin lymphoma accounting for approximately 1% of neoplastic diseases. MM is not curable despite the progress in diagnostic procedures and therapeutic approaches. In terms of imaging, the diagnosis and staging of MM is based on whole-body X-ray (WBXR), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as PET/CT mostly with the radiotracer 18F-FDG. Despite being a valuable tool in diagnosis, prognosis and therapy monitoring, 18F-FDG PET/CT has some limitations including a non-negligible rate of false-negative and false-positive findings.

The idea of this special issue is to present the strengths and limitations of molecular imaging techniques, in particular PET/CT and PET/MRI, for the diagnosis and therapy monitoring in MM patients. In particular, the role of 18F-FDG PET in the diagnosis, staging, prognosis and therapy outcome evaluation as well as its prognostic value will be discussed and compared to other imaging modalities, like CT and MRI. The contribution of molecular imaging techniques in the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) will also be discussed. Moreover, given their initial promising results, several, non-18F-FDG radiopharmaceuticals will be presented. Finally, methodological aspects, like acquisition protocols, standardization of image evaluation and quantification will be addressed with respect to both diagnosis and therapy management.
The Special Issue “Molecular imaging in Multiple Myeloma: an update and future perspectives” aims to pool knowledge on the efficacy of PET-CT and PET-MRI using FDG and novel tracers as well as of the combination of imaging data with other biomarkers for the diagnosis and assessment of response of established and new therapeutic protocols. All scientists working in this field are cordially invited to submit their manuscripts.

Topics:
• Role of 18F-FDG PET in diagnosis and therapy management in MM
• Comparison of 18F-FDG PET to CT and MRI in MM
• New radiopharmaceuticals for MM
• Standardization of imaging evaluation
Type of articles:
• Original papers
• Review or mini reviews
• Perspective or opinion papers

Keywords: Multiple myeloma, PET, CT, oncological imaging, molecular imaging, radiopharmaceuticals, 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)

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