Analysis of HER2 protein expression and clinical prognosis based on CT texture analysis in the arterial phase of gastric cancer

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship of CT texture feature parameters in the arterial phase of gastric cancer with the expression of HER2 protein. MethodsA total of 39 patients with gastric cancer confirmed by pathology were included and further divided into the HER2 negative and positive groups. According to tumor invasion depth, they were assigned to the early and advanced groups. The maximum diameter of the tumor lesions on the CT axial plane was measured, and 3-year survival was followed up and recorded. ResultsThe maximum axial diameter of early gastric cancer was 4.84 ± 0.52 cm, and the 3-year follow-up survival time was 2.41 ± 0.56 years; the maximum diameter of advanced gastric cancer was 6.58 ± 0.42 cm, and the 3-year follow-up survival time was 1.21 ± 0.21 years with a significance between them (P < 0.05). The CT texture parameters in the arterial phase elucidated significant differences in the 10th percentile, 90th percentile, maximum, median, average, and minimum value between HER2 positive group and negative group (P < 0.05) without difference in texture features between the two groups (P > 0.05). ROC curve showed when the 10th percentile was 13.5, the 90th percentile was 70.2, the maximum value was 101.5, the median was 24.2, the average was 39.4, and the minimum of −7 was the best cut-off value. The specificity and sensitivity for distinguishing HER2-negative or positive were high, and the area under curve (AUC) was about 0.707–0.813, of which the 90th percentile was the most significant. ConclusionThe maximum diameter of the tumor in the CT axial plane is related to early and advanced gastric cancer and the prognosis. Based on CT arterial phase texture parameters, HER2 expression in gastric cancer can be judged to provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.