Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with low 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose avidity features silent B-cell receptor signaling

• Published in: Leukemia & lymphoma Vol. 61; no. 6; pp. 1364 - 1371
• Main Authors: Sheng, Dong, Li, Ting, Wang, Wei-Ge, Li, Meng-Jiao, Jiang, Kai-Long, Gao, An-Hui, Li, Jia, Zhou, Xiao-Yan, Li, Xiao-Qiu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01.06.2020
• Subjects: B-cell receptor signaling; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; GLUT1; HK2; PET/CT; pSYK
• ISSN: 1042-8194; 1029-2403
• DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2020.1713317

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of aggressive lymphomas exhibiting increased glucose uptake. However, some DLBCLs featuring relatively low 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) uptake denoted by the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max ) on PET/CT have been identified. The biologic correlates of such a heterogeneity have remained largely unknown. Herein, we immunohistochemically detected and found low FDG-avid DLBCL cases featuring lower expression of some key molecules involved in B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling (pSYK) and glucose metabolism (GLUT1 and HK2). Besides, BCR-deficient DLBCL xenografts were found displaying lower SUV max and expressions of pSYK, GLUT1, and HK2. Further immunoblotting demonstrated expressions of GLUT1 and HK2 in BCR-dependent DLBCLs could be down-regulated by a chemical SYK inhibition, whereas the inhibitory effects were not observed in BCR-deficient tumors. These findings suggest low FDG-avid DLBCLs display a silent BCR signaling and PET/CT might be utilized to tailor the BCR signaling-inhibitory treatment.