Multiscale deep learning radiomics for predicting recurrence-free survival in pancreatic cancer: A multicenter study

This multicenter study aimed to develop and validate a multiscale deep learning radiomics nomogram for predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

A total of 469 PDAC patients from four hospitals were divided into training and test sets. Handcrafted radiomics and deep learning (DL) features were extracted from optimal regions of interest, encompassing both intratumoral and peritumoral areas. Univariate Cox regression, LASSO regression, and multivariate Cox regression selected features for three image signatures (intratumoral, peritumoral radiomics, and DL). A multiscale nomogram was constructed and validated against the 8th AJCC staging system.

The 4 mm peritumoral VOI yielded the best radiomics prediction, while a 15 mm expansion was optimal for deep learning. The multiscale nomogram demonstrated a C-index of 0.82 (95 % CI: 0.78-0.85) in the training set and 0.70 (95 % CI: 0.64-0.76) in the external test 1 (high-volume hospital), with the external test 2 (low-volume hospital) showing a C-index of 0.78 (95 % CI: 0.65-0.91). These outperformed the AJCC system's C-index (0.54-0.57). The area under the curve (AUC) for recurrence prediction at 0.5, 1, and 2 years was 0.89, 0.94, and 0.89 in the training set, with AUC values ranging from 0.75 to 0.97 in the external validation sets, consistently surpassing the AJCC system across all sets. Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed significant differences in prognosis between high- and low-risk groups (P < 0.01 across all cohorts).

The multiscale nomogram effectively stratifies recurrence risk in PDAC patients, enhancing presurgical clinical decision-making and potentially improving patient outcomes.