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18FDG uptake in oesophageal adenocarcinoma: linking biology and outcome

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Abstract

Purpose

Variable uptake of 18FDG has been noticed in positron emission tomography (PET) studies of patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The aim of the present study was to investigate biological parameters involved in 18FDG uptake in oesophageal adenocarcinoma for selection of patients with increased 18FDG uptake and prediction of prognostic value of 18FDG PET.

Patients and methods

Preoperative PET scans were performed in 26 patients with histologically proven oesophageal adenocarcinoma. 18FDG uptake was semiquantitatively measured by SUVBSAg. Tumour sections were stained by immunohistochemistry for angiogenic markers (VEGF, CD31), glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1), hexokinase (HK) isoforms, for proliferation marker (Ki67), for macrophage marker (CD68) and for apoptosis marker (cleaved caspase-3). Cell densities, differentiation grade, degree of necrosis and mucus, T-stage and tumour size were assessed. In addition follow-up was analysed.

Results

No association was found between 18FDG uptake and angiogenic markers. In contrast, a significant correlation was found between 18FDG uptake and Glut-1 expression. No correlations were found between 18FDG uptake and HK isoforms, Ki67 or cleaved caspase-3. Also, no correlations were found between 18FDG uptake and cell density, differentiation grade, CD68, mucus and necrosis. However, there was a significant correlation between 18FDG uptake and tumour size and between 18FDG uptake and tumour recurrence.

Conclusions

Glut-1 expression and tumour size seem parameters associated with 18FDG uptake in patients with biopsy proven oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and may be used to select oesophageal cancer patients in whom 18FDG-PET is of diagnostic value and may predict disease outcome.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the expert technical support of Marcelle van Gelder, Jurriaan Tuynman, and Jitske Weegenaar.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Marinke Westerterp & J. Jan B. van Lanschot

  2. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Marinke Westerterp & Gerrit W. Sloof

  3. Nuclear Medicine and PET Research, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Otto S. Hoekstra, Ronald Boellaard & Carla F. M. Molthoff

  4. Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Fiebo J. W. ten Kate

  5. Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Gerrit A. Meijer

  6. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Johannes B. Reitsma

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  1. Marinke Westerterp
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  2. Gerrit W. Sloof
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  3. Otto S. Hoekstra
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  6. Johannes B. Reitsma
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  7. Ronald Boellaard
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  8. J. Jan B. van Lanschot
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  9. Carla F. M. Molthoff
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Correspondence to Marinke Westerterp.

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Westerterp, M., Sloof, G.W., Hoekstra, O.S. et al. 18FDG uptake in oesophageal adenocarcinoma: linking biology and outcome. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 134, 227–236 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-007-0275-0

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