The correlation between FDG uptake and the expressions of Ki67, MMP-2 and microvessel density in esophageal carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the correlation between 18 F-FDG SUVmax and the expressions of Ki67,matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and microvessel density (MVD) in esophageal carcinoma as to determine if SUVmax might reflect cancer cell proliferation,invasiveness and angiogenesis.Methods From Jan.2007 to Jan.2009,47 patients underwent18F-FDG PET/CT one week before surgical resection of esophageal carcinoma.The tumor specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for Ki67 proliferation index,MMP-2 marker index and MVD.The correlation between SUVmax over tumor foci on 18F-FDG PET/CT and Ki67 index,MMP-2 index and MVD was analyzed respectively using Pearson linear correlation.Results The mean 18F-FDG SUVmax,Ki67 index,MMP-2 index and MVD were (12.504 ± 6.805)( range:1.9 to 24.0),( 67.837 ± 29.798 ) ％,( 71.551 ± 27.126 ) ％ and 18.429 ± 9.603 respectively.SUVmax was positively correlated with Ki67 ( r =0.581,P ＜ 0.05 ) and MMP-2 indices ( r =0.594,P ＜0.05),but not correlated with MVD ( r =0.167,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion 18 F-FDG SUVmax may semiquantitatively reflect the proliferation and invasiveness of esophageal carcinoma,but not tumor angiogenesis. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms; Tomography, emission-computed; Tomography,X-ray computed; Deoxyglucose