The Application of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Detecting Cardiotoxicity Associated With Anthracyclines: A Systematic Review Publisher



F Riahi FARSHAD ; Sh Tooyserkani Seyed HAMED ; A Sadeghian AMIRHOSSEIN ; S Azizollahi SARA ; A Sourani ARMIN ; M Alaei MARYAM ; M Khansari MAHMOUD ; M Ghazanfari Hashemi MOHAMAD ; S Fesharaki SHAHIN ; Sad Tabatabaei Seyed Amirhossein DORMIANI
Source: Clinical and Translational Imaging Published:2025

Abstract

Anthracyclines (ATCs) are crucial in cancer therapy; however, their use poses a significant risk of cardiotoxicity and is often underdiagnosed by traditional methods. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the early detection of cardiotoxicity associated with ATC. A comprehensive search of the databases from January 2018 to March 2025 yielded seven relevant studies. These findings indicate that increased myocardial uptake of 18F-FDG correlates with metabolic alterations indicative of cardiotoxicity in patients undergoing ATC therapy. This suggests that 18F-FDG PET/CT can serve as a valuable early diagnostic marker. This review highlights the potential of 18F-FDG PET/CT to enhance monitoring and management strategies for at-risk patients, ultimately improving cancer treatment outcomes. As the integration of this imaging modality into clinical practice could reshape cardiotoxicity assessment, further research is warranted to validate these findings and refine the guidelines for its application in oncology. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.