New PET scan trick may spot fake tumor growth in immunotherapy patients

NCT ID NCT03584334

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at whether a special PET scan (18FDG dual-point) can tell the difference between real tumor growth and harmless inflammation caused by immunotherapy. Researchers studied 100 people with advanced lung cancer or melanoma who were being treated with drugs like nivolumab or pembrolizumab. The goal was to find a better way to evaluate treatment response without confusing inflammation for cancer progression.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

18FDG PET scan (diagnostic imaging)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help doctors quickly tell whether a tumor is truly growing or just inflamed from treatment, avoiding unnecessary changes in therapy.

What could go wrong

This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. The results may not apply to all patients or cancer types, and the scan technique is not yet standard practice.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

melanoma non-small cell lung carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Centre Antoine Lacassagne

    Nice, 06189, France