Study on the Relationship Between SUVmax in F-18-FDG PET/CT and Expression of Ki-67 in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objectives: To investigate the association between the preoperative maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of primary lesions measured on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-18-FDG PET/CT) and expression of Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: One hundred and eleven patients with NSCLC received surgical treatment and the F-18-FDG PET/CT examination was performed preoperatively. The SUVmax values of F-18-FDG PET/CT were estimated,and the expression of Ki-67 in cancer tissue was detected with histoimmunochemistry SP method. The association between SUVmax and Ki-67 expression, and the association of dichotomized SUVmax (2.5),mean SUVmax and median SUVmax with Ki-67 was analyzed with multivariate Logistic regression,respectively.

Results: Multiple linear regression showed regardless of pathological subtypes,TNM stage and maximum diameter of primary lesion,Ki-67 and SUVmax displayed a moderate correlation (r=0.66). In acinar predominant adenocarcinoma,N0 or N1-3,SUVmax was significantly correlated with Ki-67. Dichotomous SUVmax (cutoff point: 2.5) was significantly associated with Ki-67 (P=0.01).

Conclusions: A moderate relationship exists between the SUVmax values and Ki-67 expression. SUVmax ≥2.5 of primary lesion may suggest active tumor proliferation and poor prognosis of patients with NSCLC. Key words: Non-small cell lung cancer;F-18-FDG PET/CT;Maximum standardized uptake value;Ki-67