Early Metabolic Response to Neoadjuvant Treatment: FDG PET/CT Criteria according to Breast Cancer Subtype.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate parameters based on fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging that are best correlated with pathologic complete response (PCR) in human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive cancer and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and with partial or complete response in ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.


METHODS
This study was approved by institutional review board with waivers of informed written consent and included consecutive patients treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Five PET examination-derived parameters were tested: standard uptake value (SUV) maximum (SUV(max)), peak (SUV(peak)), and mean (SUV(mean)), metabolically active tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). Absolute values at baseline PET, at PET imaging after two cycles of chemotherapy, and variation (ie, change) were measured. Correlations with pathologic response (Wilcoxon rank-sum test) and predictive power assessed (area under the curve [AUC] on the basis of receiver operating characteristic analysis) were examined.


RESULTS
Included were 169 consecutive patients (mean age, 50 years). PCR was more frequent in HER2-positive tumors (16 of 33 patients [48.5%]) and TNBCs (20 of 54 patients [37%]) than in ER positive/HER2-negative tumors (four of 82 [4.9%]) (P < .001). Among patients with ER-positive/HER2-negative cancers, 33 patients had partial response. In TNBC, best association with PCR was obtained with change in SUV(max) (AUC, 0.86) or change in TLG (AUC, 0.88). In HER2-positive phenotype, absolute SUV(max) (or SUV(peak)) values at PET imaging after two cycles of chemotherapy (AUC for each cycle, 0.93) were better correlated with PCR than change in SUV(max) (AUC, 0.78; P = .11) or change in TLG (AUC, 0.62; P = .005). Regarding ER-positive/HER2-negative cancers, change in SUV(max) or change in TLG (AUC, 0.75) were parameters best correlated with partial or complete response. Baseline SUV(max) was higher in lymph nodes than in primary tumor in 31 patients. Findings were similar considering the site with highest FDG uptake.


CONCLUSIONS
Quantitative indexes of tumor glucose use that are best correlated with pathologic response vary by phenotype: change in SUV(max) or TLG are most adequate for TNBCs and ER-positive/ HER2-negative cancers and absolute SUV(max) after two cycles of chemotherapy for HER2-positive breast cancers.
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
David
D
Groheux
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Mohamed
M
Majdoub
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Alice
A
Sanna
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Patricia
P
de Cremoux
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Elif
E
Hindié
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Sylvie
S
Giacchetti
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Antoine
A
Martineau
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Anne
A
de Roquancourt
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Pascal
P
Merlet
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Dimitris
D
Visvikis
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Matthieu
M
Resche-Rigon
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Mathieu
M
Hatt
From the Department of Nuclear Medicine (D.G., A.M., P.M.), Department of Statistical Sciences (A.S., M.R.R.), Department of Biochemistry (P.d.C.), Breast Diseases Unit and Department of Medical Oncology (S.G., M.E.), and Department of Pathology (A.d.R.), Saint-Louis Hospital, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM, UMR 1101 LaTIM, Brest, France (M.M., D.V., M.H.); Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (E.H.); and B2T, Doctoral School, IUH, University of Paris VII, Paris, France (D.G., P.M.).
Marc
M
Espié
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D062005:Biopsy, Large-Core Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18