Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Neoplasms: Essential Predictive Imaging Features for Personalized Therapy.
Mariko Irizato1, Kiyoyuki Minamiguchi1, Tomoko Uchiyama1
1From the Departments of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (M.I., K.M., H.K., T. Tachiiri, R.T., N.M., T. Tanaka) and Diagnostic Pathology (T.U.), Nara Medical University, Shijyocho 840, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Aichi, Japan (M.I., Y.I.); and Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University Faculty of Health Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan (A.K.).
Radiomics, using CT and MRI, reveals tumor biologic characteristics for personalized cancer treatment. Radiologists can use these imaging findings to predict prognosis and treatment efficacy in hepatobiliary and pancreatic neoplasms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Tumor biologic characteristics (histopathology, immune microenvironment, genetics, molecular aspects) are crucial for cancer treatment strategies.
- Innovations in cancer therapy include personalized treatments and cytostatic agents like molecularly targeted agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- These agents offer potential for curative-intent treatment of unresectable cancers by reducing tumor volume.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe radiologic predictive findings using CT and MRI for specific hepatobiliary and pancreatic neoplasms.
- To correlate imaging findings with pathologic, immunologic, molecular, and genetic background factors.
- To highlight the role of radiologists in utilizing these findings for personalized medicine.
Main Methods:
- Review of radiologic predictive findings from CT and MRI for hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal liver metastases, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
- Correlation of imaging findings with established tumor biologic characteristics.
- Discussion of radiomics as a method to link imaging and tumor biology.
Main Results:
- Various radiologic predictive findings for tumor biologic characteristics in hepatobiliary and pancreatic neoplasms have been identified.
- These findings correlate with pathologic, immunologic, molecular, and genetic aspects of the tumors.
- Radiomics shows potential for elucidating these associations, though clinical applicability is still developing.
Conclusions:
- Radiologic imaging, particularly with CT and MRI, provides noninvasive insights into tumor biologic features.
- Radiologists must become familiar with radiologic predictive findings to guide prognosis and treatment efficacy.
- These imaging insights are vital for advancing personalized medicine strategies in oncology.
