FDG uptake in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Summary

Aim: This study aimed at assessing the relationship between over-expression of glucose transporters and hexokinases, tumour proliferation and apoptosis corrected for cellularity and partial volume corrected (pvc) FDG SUV values in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (pSCCHN). Patients, methods: In 27 consecutive patients suffering from pSCCHN, FDG SUVmax and mean pvc values of the primary tumour were derived from a pre-surgical routine staging FDG PET/CT examination. GLUT-1, GLUT-3, HK-1, HK-3 expression, tumour proliferation (Ki-67 staining) and the number of apoptotic cells (cleaved caspase-3 staining), corrected for tumour cellularity, were subsequently assessed on the corresponding post-surgically obtained biopsies and tumour specimens. FDG SUVmax and mean pvc values of pSCCHN were correlated with the corresponding histological findings. Results: FDG SUV max and mean pvc values correlated significantly: with GLUT-1 scores r = 0.408 (p = 0.04) and r = 0.439 (p = 0.03) as well as with the number of apoptotic cells r = 0.529 (p = 0.008) and r = 0.484 (p = 0.017). The number of apoptotic cells also correlated to GLUT-3 scores: r = 0.62 (p = 0.001) and GLUT-1 scores r = 0.528 (p = 0.008). Conclusion: FDG SUV pvc proved significantly related to GLUT-1 expression by tumour cells and to the absolute number of apoptotic cells. The latter finding warrants further exploration and confirmation by additional studies.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: In dieser Studie sollte der Zusammenhang zwischen Überexpression von Glukosetransportern und Hexokinasen, Tumorproliferation und Apoptose, korrigiert nach Zellzahl sowie den nach partiellem Volumen korrigierten (pvc) FDG-SUV-Werten, am primären Kopf/Hals-Plattenepithelkarzinom (pSCCHN) untersucht werden. Patienten, Methoden: Bei 27 aufeinanderfolgenden Patienten mit pSCCHN wurden die maximalen und mittleren FDG-SUV-Werte (pcv) des Primärtumors aus einer präoperativen FDG PET/CT-Routineuntersuchung für das Staging ermittelt. Die Expression von GLUT-1, GLUT-3, HK-1 und HK-3, die Tumorproliferation (Ki67-Färbung) und die Anzahl der apoptotischen Zellen (Färbung für aktivierte Caspase-3), korrigiert nach der Tumorzellzahl, wurden anschließend in den entsprechenden postoperativen Tumor-Bioptaten und Tumorproben untersucht. Die maximalen und mittleren FDG-SUV-Werte (pcv) des pSCCHN wurden mit den entsprechenden histologischen Befunden korreliert. Ergebnisse: Maximale und mittlere FDG-SUV-Werte (pcv) korrelierten signifikant mit den GLUT-1-Werten: r = 0,408 (p = 0,04) und r = 0,439 (p = 0,03) sowie mit der Anzahl apoptotischer Zellen: r = 0,529 (p = 0,008) und r = 0,484 (p = 0,017). Die Anzahl apoptotischer Zellen korrelierte auch mit den GLUC-3-Werten: r = 0,62 (p = 0,001) und den GLUC-1-Werten: r = 0,528 (p = 0,008). Schlussfolgerung: Ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen FDG-SUV-Werten (pcv), GLUC-1-Expression in Tumorzellen und absoluter Anzahl apoptotischer Zellen wurde nachgewiesen. Das letztere Ergebnis muss in zusätzlichen Studien weiter untersucht und bestätigt werden.

Keywords

FDG-PET/CT - GLUT-1 - apoptosis - squamous cell carcinoma - head and neck

Schlüsselwörter

FDG-PET/CT - Apoptose - Plattenepithelkarzinom - GLUT-1 - Kopf und Hals

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