Biologic Correlates of 18Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in Human Breast Cancer Measured by Positron Emission Tomography

Abstract

(18)FDG uptake in breast cancer is a function of microvasculature for delivering nutrients, Glut-1 for transportation of (18)FDG into the cell, HK for entering (18)FDG into glycolysis, number of tumor cells/volume, proliferation rate (also reflected in necrosis), number of lymphocytes (not macrophages), and HIF-1alpha for upregulating Glut-1. Together, these features explain why breast cancers vary in (18)FDG uptake and elucidate the low uptake in lobular breast cancer.