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MRI In rectal cancer: Correlations between MRI features and molecular markers Ki-67, HIF-1α, and VEGF
Xiangjiao Meng1, Huijuan Li1, Lingling Kong1
1Department of Radiation Oncology of Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Purpose:
To investigate whether the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values acquired from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) are correlated with molecular markers Ki-67, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rectal cancer (RC).
Materials And Methods:
Ninety-one patients (64 males and 27 females) diagnosed with rectal cancer underwent 3.0T DW-MRI before any anticancer treatment. DW-MRI was performed using the single-shot echo-planar imaging technique (b = 0 and b = 800 s/mm(2) ). The patients underwent surgery within 1 week after MRI. Ki-67, HIF-1α, and VEGF expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry at both the resected margins and the center of the tumor.
Results:
We noted that ADC values correlated positively with histology differentiations (r = 0.336, P = 0.001) and negatively with carcinoembryonic antigen level (r = -0.217, P = 0.039) in RC. Both the value and the level of Ki-67 expression were correlated inversely with the ADC values (r = -0.475, P < 0.001 and r = -0.555, P < 0.001). There was a weak negative correlation between HIF-1α expression and the ADC values (r = -0.304, P = 0.003). VEGF expression was correlated inversely with the ADC values of the RCs (r = -0.290, P = 0.005). However, no significant correlation was observed between VEGF expression and the ADC values in pT4 RCs (r = -0.166, P = 0.255).
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that the ADC values on DW-MRI may be used as a measurement of cell proliferation and hypoxia in RC. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:594-600.
Insights
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values from diffusion-weighted MRI correlate with cell proliferation and hypoxia markers in rectal cancer. These ADC values may serve as a non-invasive measure for assessing rectal cancer characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) provides insights into tissue microstructure.
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values derived from DW-MRI reflect tissue cellularity and integrity.
- Molecular markers like Ki-67, HIF-1α, and VEGF are crucial in understanding rectal cancer biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the correlation between ADC values in rectal cancer (RC) and key molecular markers.
- Investigate the relationship between ADC values and Ki-67, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in RC.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-one patients with rectal cancer underwent 3.0T DW-MRI prior to treatment.
- ADC values were calculated using DW-MRI data (b=0 and b=800 s/mm²).
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess Ki-67, HIF-1α, and VEGF expression in tumor samples.
Main Results:
- ADC values showed a negative correlation with Ki-67 expression (r=-0.475, P<0.001) and HIF-1α expression (r=-0.304, P=0.003).
- A significant inverse correlation was found between ADC values and VEGF expression (r=-0.290, P=0.005).
- ADC values also correlated positively with histological differentiation and negatively with carcinoembryonic antigen levels.
Conclusions:
- ADC values derived from DW-MRI can serve as a non-invasive surrogate marker for cell proliferation (Ki-67) and hypoxia (HIF-1α) in rectal cancer.
- DW-MRI-based ADC measurements may offer valuable information regarding the biological characteristics of rectal cancer.
