Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI Perfusion Parameters as Imaging Biomarkers of Angiogenesis.

Sung Hun Kim,Hyeon Sil Lee,Ahwon Lee,Min-Sun Jin,Bong Joo Kang,Hyunyong Lee,Byung Joo Song,Hyun-Bin Kim,Masaya Yamamoto

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168632

Sung Hun Kim, Hyeon Sil Lee + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168632

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Dec 30, 2016
Citations: 51	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea

Abstract

Hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment is the leading factor in angiogenesis. Angiogenesis can be identified by dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI (DCE MRI). Here we investigate the relationship between perfusion parameters on DCE MRI and angiogenic and prognostic factors in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Perfusion parameters (Ktrans, kep and ve) of 81 IDC were obtained using histogram analysis. Twenty-fifth, 50th and 75th percentile values were calculated and were analyzed for association with microvessel density (MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and conventional prognostic factors. Correlation between MVD and ve50 was positive (r = 0.33). Ktrans50 was higher in tumors larger than 2 cm than in tumors smaller than 2 cm. In multivariate analysis, Ktrans50 was affected by tumor size and MVD with 12.8% explanation. There was significant association between Ktrans50 and tumor size and MVD. Therefore we conclude that DCE MRI perfusion parameters are potential imaging biomarkers for prediction of tumor angiogenesis and aggressiveness.

Highlights

Hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment exists due to structurally and functionally abnormal vessels, as well as oxygen consumption caused by rapid proliferation of tumor cells
The goal of our study is to investigate the relationship between DCEMRI perfusion parameters and angiogenic factors (MVD, Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) and conventional prognostic factors in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
There was no significant correlation between microvessel density (MVD) or VEGF and other perfusion parameters (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment exists due to structurally and functionally abnormal vessels, as well as oxygen consumption caused by rapid proliferation of tumor cells. By regulating the process of invasion and metastasis, hypoxia is the leading factor in angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) seems to be critical for blood vessel development, stimulating the formation of new blood and increasing vascular permeability[1,2,3]. Neoangiogenesis can be quantified using microvessel density (MVD)[3]. Angiogenesis can be identified by dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI (DCE MRI)[4]. Conventional contrast enhanced MRI analysis is based on subjective evaluation of signal enhancement curves, and is characterized by high spatial and low temporal resolution of 90–120 sec[5]

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