Abstract
ObjectivesThe present study used dynamic-contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) to elucidate possible associations with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), stroma ratio and vimentin expression in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).MethodsOverall, 26 patients with primary HNSCC of different localizations were involved in the study. DCE-MRI was obtained on a 3 T MRI and analyzed with a whole lesion measurement using a histogram approach. TIL- and vimentin-expression was calculated on bioptic samples before any form of treatment. P16 staining was used to define HPV-status.ResultsTumor-stroma ratio correlated with entropy derived from Ktrans (r = − 0.52, p = 0.0071) and with kurtosis derived from Ve (r = − 0.53, p = 0.0058).Several Ve derived parameters correlated with expression of TIL within the stroma compartment. TIL within the tumor compartment correlated with entropy derived from Ktrans (r = 0.39, p = 0.047), p90 derived from Ve (r = 0.41, p = 0.036) and skewness derived from Ve (r = 0.41, p = 0.037). Furthermore, these associations were different between HPV positive and negative tumors.ConclusionsDCE-MRI might be able to reflect tumor compartments and TIL expression in HNSCC. The most promising parameters were values derived from Ktrans and Ve.
Highlights
Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide with a rising incidence [1, 2]
The tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) expression of the stroma compartment was significantly higher compared to the tumor compartment (p = 0.0006)
Tumor-stroma ratio correlated with entropy derived from Ktrans (r = − 0.52, p = 0.0071) and kurtosis derived from Ve (r = − 0.53, p = 0.0058) (Fig. 2)
Summary
Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide with a rising incidence [1, 2]. 600,000 new cases of HNSCC patients and over 33,000 HNSCC related deaths. These parameters can reflect several underlying histopathological features [4]. Ve is more related to cell density, whereas Ktrans can reflect proliferation potential and microvessel density [4, 10, 11]. TILs are an independent prognostic factor in patients with HNSCC [12]. Another clinical relevant histopathological feature is the
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