Impact of germline polymorphisms in genes regulating glucose uptake on positron emission tomography findings and outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: results from the PETAL trial

BACKGROUND: [(18)F]Fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is the standard imaging procedure in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Disease presentation, FDG-PET/CT performance, and outcome may be influenced by germline single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes regulating glucose uptake. METHODS: Clinical variables, FDG-PET findings, and outcome were analysed in relation to SNPs in 342 DLBCL patients participating in the ‘Positron Emission Tomography-Guided Therapy of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas’ (PETAL) trial. Genes analysed included SLC2A1 (SNPs rs1385129, referred to as HaeIII; rs710218, HpyCH4V; rs841853, XbaI), VEGFA (rs3025039), HIF1A (rs11549465, P582S; rs11549467, A588T), and APEX1 (rs1130409, D148E). Statistical significance was assumed at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The SLC2A1 HaeIII and HpyCH4V SNPs were tightly linked and statistically significantly associated with baseline maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) and Ann Arbor stage, with slightly lower SUV(max) (HaeIII, median 18.9, interquartile range [IQR] 11.5–26.6, versus 21.6, IQR 14.4–29.7; p = 0.019) and more frequent stage IV disease (HaeIII, 44.5% versus 30.8%; p = 0.011) in minor allele carriers. As previously reported for lung cancer, the association was dependent upon the coexistent APEX1 D148E genotype. The HIF1A A588T SNP was associated with total metabolic tumour volume (TMTV) and time-to-progression, with significantly lower TMTV (median 16 cm(3), IQR 7–210, versus 146 cm(3), IQR 34–510; p = 0.034) and longer time-to-progression in minor allele carriers (log-rank p = 0.094). Time-to-progression was also associated with the SLC2A1 XbaI and APEX1 D148E SNPs, with shorter time-to-progression in homozygous and heterozygous SLC2A1 XbaI (HR 1.456; CI 0.930–2.280; p = 0.099) and homozygous APEX1 D148E minor allele carriers (HR 1.6; CI 1.005–2.545; p = 0.046). In multivariable analyses including SNPs, International Prognostic Index factors, sex, and B symptoms, HIF1A A588T, SLC2A1 XbaI, and APEX1 D148E retained statistical significance for time-to-progression, and SLC2A1 XbaI was also significantly associated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Common SNPs in genes regulating glucose uptake may impact SUV(max), tumour distribution, tumour volume, and outcome in DLBCL. The effects on SUV(max) are of low magnitude and appear clinically negligible. The results are consistent with findings in other types of cancer. They need to be confirmed in an independent DLBCL population of sufficient size. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00554164; EudraCT 2006-001641-33. Registration date November 5, 2007, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00554164 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00432-021-03796-z.