Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
Prostate cancer detection using quantitative T2 and T2 -weighted imaging: The effects of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
Francesco Giganti1,2, Giulio Gambarota3,4, Caroline M Moore2,5
1Department of Radiology, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Background:
T2 -weighted imaging (T2 -WI) information has been used in a qualitative manner in the assessment of prostate cancer. Quantitative derivatives (T2 relaxation time) can be generated from T2 -WI. These outputs may be useful in helping to discriminate clinically significant prostate cancer from background signal.
Purpose/Hypothesis:
To investigate changes in quantitative T2 parameters in lesions and noncancerous tissue of men on active surveillance for prostate cancer taking dutasteride 0.5 mg or placebo daily for 6 months.
Study Type:
Retrospective.
Population/Subjects:
Forty men randomized to 6 months of daily dutasteride (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20).
Field Strength/Sequence:
Multiparametric 3T MRI at baseline and 6 months. This included a multiecho MR sequence for quantification of the T2 relaxation times, in three regions of interest (index lesion, noncancerous peripheral [PZ] and transitional [TZ] zones). A synthetic signal contrast (T2 Q contrast) between lesion and noncancerous tissue was assessed using quantitative T2 values. Signal contrast was calculated using the T2 -weighted sequence (T2 W contrast).
Assessment:
Two radiologists reviewed the scans in consensus according to Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS v. 2) guidelines.
Statistical Tests:
Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U-tests, Spearman's correlation.
Results:
When compared to noncancerous tissue, shorter T2 values were observed within lesions at baseline (83.5 and 80.5 msec) and 6 months (81.5 and 81.9 msec) in the placebo and dutasteride arm, respectively. No significant differences for T2 W contrast at baseline and after 6 months were observed, both in the placebo (0.40 [0.29-0.49] vs. 0.43 [0.25-0.49]; P = 0.881) and dutasteride arm (0.35 [0.24-0.47] vs. 0.37 [0.22-0.44]; P = 0.668). There was a significant, positive correlation between the T2 Q contrast and the T2 W contrast values (r = 0.786; P < 0.001).
Data Conclusion:
The exposure to antiandrogen therapy did not significantly influence the T2 contrast or the T2 relaxation values in men on active surveillance for prostate cancer.
Level Of Evidence:
4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1646-1653.
