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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 12/2017

01-11-2017 | Original Article

[18F]FDG PET/CT features for the molecular characterization of primary breast tumors

Authors: Lidija Antunovic, Francesca Gallivanone, Martina Sollini, Andrea Sagona, Alessandra Invento, Giulia Manfrinato, Margarita Kirienko, Corrado Tinterri, Arturo Chiti, Isabella Castiglioni

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 12/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of imaging features derived from [18F]FDG-PET/CT to provide in vivo characterization of breast cancer (BC).

Methods

Images from 43 patients with a first diagnosis of BC were reviewed. Images were acquired before any treatment. Histological data were derived from pretreatment biopsy or surgical histological specimen; these included tumor type, grade, ER and PgR receptor status, lymphovascular invasion, Ki67 index, HER2 status, and molecular subtype. Standard parameters (SUVmean, TLG, MTV) and advanced imaging features (histogram-based and shape and size features) were evaluated. Univariate analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, and exact Fisher’s test were used for statistical analysis of data. Imaging-derived metrics were reduced evaluating the mutual correlation within group of features as well as the mutual correlation between groups of features to form a signature.

Results

A significant correlation was found between some advanced imaging features and the histological type. Different molecular subtypes were characterized by different values of two histogram-based features (median and energy). A significant association was observed between the imaging signature and luminal A and luminal B HER2 negative molecular subtype and also when considering luminal A, luminal B HER2-negative and HER2-positive groups. Similar results were found between the signature and all five molecular subtypes and also when considering the histological types of BC.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a complementary role of standard PET imaging parameters and advanced imaging features for the in vivo biological characterization of BC lesions.
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Metadata
Title
[18F]FDG PET/CT features for the molecular characterization of primary breast tumors
Authors
Lidija Antunovic
Francesca Gallivanone
Martina Sollini
Andrea Sagona
Alessandra Invento
Giulia Manfrinato
Margarita Kirienko
Corrado Tinterri
Arturo Chiti
Isabella Castiglioni
Publication date
01-11-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 12/2017
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-017-3770-9

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