Radiogenomics correlation between MR imaging features and major genetic profiles in glioblastoma

To assess the association between MR imaging features and major genomic profiles in glioblastoma.

Qualitative and quantitative imaging features such as volumetrics and histogram analysis from normalised CBV (nCBV) and ADC (nADC) were evaluated based on both T2WI and CET1WI. The imaging parameters of different genetic profile groups were compared and regression analyses were used for identifying imaging-molecular associations. Progression-free survival (PFS) was analysed by a Kaplan-Meier test and Cox proportional hazards model.

An IDH mutation was observed in 18/176 patients, and ATRX loss was positive in 17/158 of the IDH-wt cases. The IDH-mut group showed a larger volume on T2WI and a higher volume ratio between T2WI and CET1WI than the IDH-wt group (p < 0.05). In the IDH-mut group, higher mean nADC values were observed compared with the IDH-wt tumours (p < 0.05). Among the IDH-wt tumours, IDH-wt, ATRX-loss tumours revealed higher 5th percentile nADC values than the IDH-wt, ATRX-noloss tumours (p = 0.03). PFS was the longest in the IDH-mut group, followed by the IDH-wt, ATRX-loss groups and the IDH-wt, ATRX-noloss groups, consecutively (p < 0.05). We found significant associations of PFS with the genetic profiles and imaging parameters.

Major genetic profiles of glioblastoma showed a significant association with MR imaging features, along with some genetic profiles, which are independent prognostic parameters for GBM.

• Significant correlation exists between radiological parameters such as volumetric and ADC values and major genomic profiles such as IDH mutation and ATRX loss status • Radiological parameters such as the ADC value were feasible predictors of glioblastoma patients' prognosis • Imaging features can predict major genomic profiles of the tumours and the prognosis of glioblastoma patients.