The importance of FDG-PET/CT parameters for the assessment of the immune status in advanced HNSCC. Issue 4 (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ohashi, Toshimitsu; Terasawa, Kousuke; Aoki, Mitsuhiro; Akazawa, Takashi; Shibata, Hirofumi; Kuze, Bunya; Asano, Takahiko; Kato, Hiroki; Miyazaki, Tatsuhiko; Matsuo, Masayuki; Inoue, Norimitsu; Ito, Yatsuji
• Is Part Of: Auris nasus larynx. Volume 47:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 658
• Page End: 667
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography -- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma -- Neutrophil -- Inflammatory markers -- M2-macrophage; CRP C-reactive protein -- CT computed tomography -- FDG fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose -- H&E Hematoxylin and eosin -- HNSCC Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma -- NLR neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio -- NPC nasopharyngeal carcinoma -- MRS Magnetic resonance spectroscopy -- MTV Metabolic tumor volume -- PET/CT Positron emission tomography/computed tomography -- RT Room temperature -- SUV Standardized uptake value -- TLG Total lesion glycolysis -- WBC White blood cell; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2020.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0385-8146

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Cancer cells secrete large amounts of lactic acid via aerobic glycolysis. We have shown that lactic acid plays an important role as a proinflammatory and immunosuppressive mediator and promotes tumor progression. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake detected by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is considered as a good indicator of aerobic glycolysis in cancer. In this study, we examined the relationships between systemic inflammatory parameters and FDG-PET/CT parameters in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Furthermore, we investigated the relationships between FDG-PET/CT parameters and M2-macrophage polarization in HNSCC by assessing the ratio of CD163, a M2-macrophage marker, to CD68, a pan-macrophage marker. Methods: This study included 73 advanced HNSCC patients. We assessed the C-reactive protein (CRP) level, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and monocyte count as systemic inflammatory markers. Additionally, we assessed the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax ), mean SUV (SUVmean ), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) as FDG-PET/CT parameters. Results: The CRP level, WBC count, and neutrophil count were correlated with whole-body FDG-PET/CT parameters. The CD163/CD68 ratio was correlated with SUVmax and SUVmean. Our results suggest that systemic inflammation, which is associated with neutrophils, develops in patients with HNSCC having tumors with a larger volume and increased glucose uptake and that M2-macrophage polarization is promoted in HNSCC with increased glucose uptake, SUVmax, and SUVmean. FDG-PET/CT has the potential to reflect cancer-related chronic inflammation and immunosuppressive conditions in cancer patients. Conclusions: FDG-PET/CT parameters appear to be useful in assessing the immune status in HNSCC.