Implications of Standardized Uptake Values of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in PET-CT on Prognosis, Tumor Characteristics and Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy

Abstract

Under aerobic conditions, some cancers switch to glycolysis to cover their energy requirements. Taking advantage of this process, functional imaging techniques such as PET-CT can be used to detect and assess tumorous tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate standardized uptake values and mitochondrial DNA mutations in oral squamous cell carcinoma. A cohort of 57 patients underwent 18[F]FDG-PET-CT and standardized uptake values were collected. In 15 patients, data on mitochondrial DNA mutations of the tumor were available. Kaplan–Meier curves were calculated, and correlation analyses as well as univariate Cox proportional hazard models were performed. Using ROC analysis to determine a statistical threshold for SUVmax in PET investigations, a cut-off value was determined at 9.765 MB/mL. Survival analysis for SUVmax in these groups showed a Hazard Ratio of 4 (95% CI 1.7–9) in the high SUVmax group with 5-year survival rates of 23.5% (p = 0.00042). For SUVmax and clinicopathological tumor features, significant correlations were found. A tendency towards higher mtDNA heteroplasmy levels in high SUVmax groups could be observed. We were able to confirm the prognostic value of SUVmax in OSCC, showing higher survival rates at lower SUVmax levels. Correlations between SUVmax and distinct tumor characteristics were highly significant, providing evidence that SUVmax may act as a reliable diagnostic parameter. Correlation analysis of mtDNA mutations suggests an influence on metabolic activity in OSCC.

Leptin accelerates BMSC transformation into vertebral epiphyseal plate chondrocytes by activating SENP1‐mediated deSUMOylation of SIRT3

“…These data suggested that leptin promoted glycolysis under hypoxia conditions. Glycolysis is key to BMCSs differentiation and energy uptake, especially in the anoxic environment [ 36 , 37 ]. To determine the changes in glycolysis of BMSCs, the levels of glucose in cells were analyzed by an oxidase method (Fig.…”

Prognostic Utility of Neck Lymph Node-to-Primary Tumor Standardized Uptake Value Ratio in Oral Cavity Cancer

“…A retrospective study reviewing 257 patients with OSCC identified that SUV-N ≥ 15.9 and levels IV and V metastasis in the neck were independent risk factors for adverse OS, disease-specific survival, distant-metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and DFS [29]. High values for SUV-T, the denominator of the NTR, were correlated with adverse pathological features of OSCC, such as greater DOI, PNI, tumor grade, and bone infiltration [12,30], and higher SUV-T values predicted occult neck lymph node metastasis in patients diagnosed as having OSCC [31]. However, the prognostic value of SUV-T is inconsistent within the literature.…”

“…Therefore, the identification of effective tumor-related prognostic biomarkers is of paramount importance to aid in patient stratification and to enable personalized treatment planning. 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET) is extensively employed in pretreatment workup processes for OSCC [12], particularly in those with advanced-stage disease [13]. As described in the literature, in patients with HNC, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) derived for regional enlarged lymph nodes (SUV-N) and that derived for the primary tumor (SUV-T) exhibit prognostic utility [14,15].…”