Figure 1.

Biomolecular influences on [¹⁸F]FDG uptake. Metabolism, hypoxia and angiogenesis all play a role in glucose and therefore [¹⁸F]FDG uptake via their associated biomolecular proteins (GLUT, HIF-1α and VEGF respectively). Interrelationships exist between metabolism, hypoxia and angiogenesis such that they play a role in regulating each other. Proliferation and necrosis-induced inflammation increase overall tumoral energy requirements, also driving metabolism and contributing to this complex network.