The role of spleen radiomics model for predicting prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving definitive radiotherapy

Longxiang Guo ^1,2, Ao Liu ^1,2,3,4, Xiaotao Geng ⁵

⁰Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.

Thoracic Cancer +

|

March 14, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Spleen radiomics on CT scans can predict prognosis and assess immune status in esophageal cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. These imaging features correlate with immune markers, offering a noninvasive predictive tool.

Area Of Science

Radiology
Oncology
Immunology

Background

The spleen's role in antitumor immunity is known, but its imaging features' predictive value for prognosis and immune status in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) was unclear.
Investigating spleen radiomics could reveal noninvasive biomarkers for treatment response and patient outcomes.

Purpose Of The Study

To explore computed tomography (CT)-based spleen radiomics for predicting prognosis in ESCC patients receiving definitive radiotherapy (dRT).
To assess the association between spleen radiomics and systemic immunity in these patients.

Main Methods

Retrospective analysis of 201 ESCC patients treated with dRT, divided into training and validation groups.
Extraction of pre- and delta-radiomic features from enhanced CT scans; LASSO-Cox regression for signature selection.
Prognostic factor identification via Cox analysis; evaluation of predictive performance using ROC curves and C-index; correlation analysis with immune parameters (ALC, NLR).

Main Results

TNM stage, treatment regimen, tumor location, and spleen radiomics scores were independent prognostic factors.
The delta-radiomics model demonstrated superior predictive performance for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in both groups.
Spleen delta-radiomic features showed significant correlations with changes in absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).

Conclusions

Spleen radiomics derived from CT imaging shows promise as a noninvasive tool for predicting prognosis in ESCC patients undergoing dRT.
Spleen radiomics may also serve as a valuable method for evaluating systemic immune status in these patients.

Keywords:

computed tomography esophageal squamous cell cancer prognosis radiomics spleen