FDG uptake, glucose transporter type 1, and Ki-67 expressions in non-small-cell lung cancer: Correlations and prognostic values

Abstract Purpose FDG uptake mediated by glucose transporter type 1 (Glut-1) and tumor proliferative activity assessed by Ki-67 expression provide prognostic information in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we compared the prognostic significances of FDG uptake, and of Glut-1 and Ki-67 expressions in patients with NSCLC. Methods NSCLC patients (n = 53, F:M = 16:37, age 61.9 ± 12.1 years) who underwent curative resection after FDG-PET were enrolled. Thirty-one patients had stage I, 15 stage II, and 7 stage III disease. Patients were treated by surgery only (n = 12), surgery plus adjuvant oral chemotherapy (n = 32), or surgery plus adjuvant intravenous chemo- or radio-therapy (n = 9). Maximum standardized FDG uptake values (maxSUV), and the Glut-1 and Ki-67 expressions of resected tumors were analyzed for correlations and relations with tumor recurrence. The median follow-up duration was 15 months. Results Thirteen (24.5%) of the 53 patients experienced recurrence during a median follow-up of 8 months and significant correlations were found between maxSUV, Glut-1, and Ki-67 expressions (r = 0.48–0.79, p  Conclusion FDG uptake is more valuable than Glut-1 or Ki-67 expression in terms of predicting prognosis in patients with resected NSCLC.