title: Comparison of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT findings with vascular endothelial growth factors and receptors in colorectal cancer.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT findings with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and its receptor (VEGFR) levels in metastatic and nonmetastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Fluorine-18 FDG-PET/CT scans were performed for initial staging and restaging of patients with CRC. FDG-PET/CT findings of tumor (such as the presence of a primary tumor, the lymphatic or distance metastases, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary tumor), serum VEGF A-C-D-E levels, and serum VEGF receptor 1-2-3 levels were analyzed. A total of 63 patients were included into the study (35 males, mean age 61.3 ± 11.9 years). Patients were divided into two groups, based on positive and negative PET/CT findings. Patients were also categorized according to the presence of metastasis. All evaluated parameters were significantly higher in the PET/CT-positive group than the PET/CT-negative group (p < 0.001). All those parameters were also positively correlated with each other. The highest correlation for SUVmax of primary tumor was found with VEGFR-3 (p < 0.001, r = 0.665). Patients with metastases had high levels of VEGF-D, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-E, and VEGFR-3 than those without metastases. These parameters had better specificity and sensitivity values than the SUVmax of the primary tumor for detection of metastases. However, VEGF-D was the best indicator of metastasis in all of those parameters (VEGF-D vs SUVmax; sensitivity 100 vs 100 %; specificity 76 vs 76 %; AUC 0.903 vs 0.835; p < 0.001, respectively). Vascular endothelial growth factor family and its receptors were significantly higher in metastatic CRC patients. VEGF-D was the best indicator of metastasis than all VEGF family, VEGFR-3, and primary tumor SUVmax. VEGF family (A-C-D-E) and VEGFR-3 may help to determine the prognosis and management of CRC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of İstanbul, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kocael
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of İstanbul, Aksaray, İstanbul, Turkey. bvatankulu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Betül
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vatankulu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of İstanbul, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Şimşek
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of İstanbul, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mahir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cengiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of İstanbul, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kemik
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of İstanbul, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pınar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kocael
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of İstanbul, Aksaray, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halaç
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of İstanbul, Aksaray, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kerim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sönmezoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of İstanbul, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ulualp
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D012372:ROC Curve; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / Q000097:blood; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3
keywords: Colorectal cancer; FDG; PET/CT; SUVmax; Vascular endothelial growth factor