2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose and glucose uptake in malignant gliomas before and after radiotherapy: Correlation with outcome

  • Alexander M. Spence
  • , Mark Muzi
  • , Michael M. Graham
  • , Finbarr O'Sullivan
  • , Jeanne M. Link
  • , Thomas K. Lewellen
  • , Barbara Lewellen
  • , Scott D. Freeman
  • , David A. Mankoff
  • , Janet F. Eary
  • , Kenneth A. Krohn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: To examine whether quantitative 1-[11C]glucose- or 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography performed before and/or after radiotherapy (RT) of malignant gliomas correlates with treatment outcome. Changes in metabolism between the start and finish of RT, and immediate post-RT studies have received little attention. Experimental Design: Adults with malignant gliomas were imaged within 2 weeks before and/or 2 weeks after RT. Four patients were imaged only before RT, 12 only after RT, and 14 both before and after RT. Each 1-[11C]glucose and FDG study included arterial plasma sampling. Kinetic parameters, glucose metabolic rate (MRGlc), and FDG metabolic rate (MRFDG) were estimated by an optimization program based on a three compartment, four rate constant model. Changes in MRGlc or MRFDG from pre-RT to post-RT were calculated for the 14 patients studied at both times. Overall survival was examined, and survival was computed relative to historical controls in matched prognostic classes. Results: Low pre-RT MRGlc (P < 0.02) or MRFDG (P < 0.03), or an increase from pre- to post-RT in MRGlc (P < 0.004) or MRFDG (P < 0.006) are correlating with longer survival (4 patients still alive). Strikingly, the post-RT studies (n = 26) showed no correlation between MRGlc or MRFDG and survival (P = 0.73 and P = 0.46 respectively). Conclusions: Low MRGlc or MRFDG before RT probably indicates less aggressive disease. An increase in MRGlc or MRFDG from pre- to post-RT in the tumors of patients with longer survival could be because of one or more of the following or other reasons: (a) apoptosis of tumor cells in response to RT requires energy; (b) decreased tumor cell density by the RT leaving normal cells with higher metabolism; or (c) inflammatory cells infiltrate and take up glucose or FDG where tumor cells are dying. Quantitative 1-[11C]glucose or FDG uptake in the early weeks post-RT correlates poorly with survival.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)971-979
Number of pages9
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume8
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2002
Externally publishedYes

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