Correlation of the standardized uptake value in FDG-PET with the expression level of cell-cycle-related molecular biomarkers in resected non-small cell lung cancers

Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2009 Oct;15(5):304-10.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV) and the expression levels of cell-cycle-related molecular biomarkers.

Patients and methods: Thirty consecutive patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were enrolled in the study. Histologically, the tumors included 23 adenocarcinomas and 7 squamous cell carcinomas. Protein expressions of Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and p53 were examined by immunohistochemistry.

Results: The maxSUV was higher in poorly differentiated NSCLCs than in well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumors (p <0.05). The Ki-67 labeling index was higher in squamous cell carcinomas than in adenocarcinomas (p <0.05), and also in poorly differentiated tumors than in well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumors (p <0.01). A positive correlation was found between the maxSUV and Ki-67 expression level (r = 0.687, p <0.001). No correlation was found between maxSUV and PCNA expression (r = 0.214, p = 0.248) or between maxSUV and p53 expression (r = 0.357, p = 0.09). Among the molecular biomarkers, an association was found between the expression levels of Ki-67 and PCNA (r = 0.515, p <0.01).

Conclusions: Immunohistochemical staining with Ki-67 in NSCLC correlates with maxSUV. Measurement of the maxSUV by PET is a simple and noninvasive method to determine the biological cancer cell proliferation potential.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / chemistry
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / analysis*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis
  • Lung Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / analysis
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18