MRI Biomarkers Predict Tumor Shrinkage in Colorectal Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): O'Connor J P B, Rose C J, Jackson A, Watson Y, Cheung S, Maders F, Whitcher B J, Roberts C, Buonaccorsi G A, Thompson G, Clamp A R, Jayson G C, Parker G J M
Primary Institution: University of Manchester
Hypothesis
Pre-treatment measurement of the heterogeneity of tumour vascular enhancement could predict clinical outcome following combination anti-angiogenic and cytotoxic chemotherapy in colorectal cancer liver metastases.
Conclusion
Measuring microvascular heterogeneity may yield important prognostic and predictive biomarkers for tumor shrinkage.
Supporting Evidence
- 86% of the variance in post-treatment tumor shrinkage was explained by the median extravascular extracellular volume, tumor enhancing fraction, and microvascular uniformity.
- Median prediction error was 12%.
- High median extravascular extracellular volume was associated with greater tumor shrinkage.
Takeaway
Doctors can use special MRI scans to see how different parts of a tumor are growing, which helps them guess how well a treatment will work.
Methodology
Ten patients with CRC liver metastases underwent two DCE-MRI scans before treatment, and regression analysis was performed to predict tumor shrinkage based on pre-treatment imaging biomarkers.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the retrospective nature and the specific patient selection criteria.
Limitations
The study was retrospective, imaging parameters require significant post-processing, and the biomarkers need validation against survival in larger studies.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 68.3 years, 8 males and 2 females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.00005
Confidence Interval
95% CI 77–94%
Statistical Significance
p<0.00005
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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