Clinical Significance of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose and Glucose Transporter 1 mRNA in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background/Aim: ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake measurement on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is difficult in renal tumors because of the nearby renal parenchyma and urinary tract, which excrete FDG. We carefully examined the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) on FDG-PET/CT and investigated the relationship between major glucose transporters in the kidney and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) progression. Patients and Methods: Forty-five patients with ccRCC underwent FDG-PET/CT for staging and nephrectomy. Glucose transporter mRNA expression was examined in the removed kidney. Results: SUV_max was increased in high-stage and high-grade tumors. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) mRNA expression was higher in tumor tissues, in contrast to other glucose transporters. SUV_max was not correlated with GLUT1 mRNA expression. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed reduced overall and recurrence-free survival in the high SUVmax group. Conclusion: Primary ccRCC lesions show a high SUV_max and GLUT1 mRNA over-expression. SUV_max increases with tumor upstaging and upgrading.