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Prediction Model of Ki67 Proliferation Level in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

  • 0Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital With Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
Journal of Clinical Ultrasound : Jcu +

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August 8, 2025

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August 8, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features and time-intensity curve (TIC) analysis can predict Ki-67 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This aids in preoperative assessment and improves patient management for better outcomes.

Area Of Science

  • Hepatobiliary imaging
  • Oncology
  • Radiology

Background

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern.
  • Ki-67 expression is a crucial biomarker for HCC proliferation and prognosis.
  • Accurate preoperative assessment of Ki-67 expression is vital for guiding treatment strategies.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To explore the correlation between contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging characteristics and Ki-67 protein expression levels in HCC.
  • To develop a predictive model for Ki-67 expression in HCC using CEUS features.

Main Methods

  • Retrospective analysis of 94 HCC patients who underwent preoperative CEUS and postoperative Ki-67 immunohistochemistry.
  • Patients were categorized into low and high Ki-67 expression groups based on labeling index.
  • CEUS features, including time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters, were analyzed and correlated with Ki-67 expression.

Main Results

  • Significant differences in clinical and CEUS features (e.g., lesion size, boundary, morphology, TIC parameters like ascending slope, decay time, descending slope, AUC) were observed between low and high Ki-67 groups.
  • Multivariate analysis identified lesion number, maximum diameter, boundary, morphology, and descending slope as significant predictors of Ki-67 expression.
  • The developed CEUS-based prediction model demonstrated high accuracy (AUC=0.949) for predicting Ki-67 expression.

Conclusions

  • CEUS combined with TIC analysis offers valuable insights for predicting preoperative Ki-67 expression in HCC.
  • This non-invasive approach can assist clinicians in optimizing treatment decisions and improving patient prognosis for HCC.

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