Involvement of increased p53 expression in the decrease of mitochondrial DNA copy number and increase of SUV of FDG-PET scan in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

We appraised Warburg effect through analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and maximum standard uptake value (SUV) of F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan and their alterations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Later T-status and longer longitudinal tumor length were associated with lower mtDNA copy number (p < .05) but higher SUV-ESCC (p < .05), respectively. Lower mtDNA copy number correlated with higher SUV-ESCC, reciprocally (p < .05). ESCCs expressing mutant p53 protein had lower mtDNA copy number (p = .056) but higher SUV-ESCC (p = .046). We conclude that mutant p53 protein may be involved in the Warburg effect of ESCC.