Baseline and Early MR Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Quantification as a Predictor of Response of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma to Doxorubicin Drug-Eluting Bead Chemoembolization

Prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma response to transarterial chemoembolization with intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging

Background

There are several therapeutic options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As predicting the treatment response is critical in clinical decision making, we aimed to evaluate the quantitative intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) parameters as potential predictors of treatment response of HCC lesions to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Results

Twelve patients (eight males; mean age, 56.12 ± 7.88) with 26 confirmed HCC lesions were recruited in the study. Thirteen lesions (50%) responded to TACE, and the remaining lesions were categorized as nonresponder. Age > 60 year (p value: 0.018), D (p value: 0.005), D* (p value: 0.005), and f (p value: 0.004) values were significantly different in response and nonresponse group lesions. Logistic multivariate analysis showed that f value (OR: 0.847 (95% CI 0.732–0.98), p value = 0.025) could independently predict tumor response to TACE. The ROC curve analysis showed f value could predict the HCC response to TACE with sensitivity and specificity of 76.9% and 76.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

IVIM-DWI parameters, especially the f value, might be useful for predicting the response of the intermediate-stage HCC to TACE.

Volumetric apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram metrics as imaging biomarkers for pretreatment predicting response to fertility-sparing treatment in patients with endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the feasibility of volumetric apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis for prediction of fertility-sparing treatment (FST) response in patients with endometrial cancer (EC).

METHODS

Pretreatment data of 54 EC patients with FST were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment response at each follow-up was pathologically evaluated. The associations of ADC histogram metrics (volume, minADC, maxADC, meanADC; 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th ADC percentiles; skewness; kurtosis) and baseline clinical characteristics with complete response (CR) at the second and third follow-ups, two-consecutive CR, and recurrence at the final follow-up were evaluated by uni- and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used for diagnostic performance evaluation.

RESULTS

Compared with non-CR patients, CR patients had significantly higher minADC and 10th and 25th ADC percentiles at the second follow-up (P = 0.008, 0.039, and 0.034, respectively) and higher minADC, older age, lower HE4 level, and higher overweight rate at the third follow-up (P = 0.001, 0.040, 0.021, and 0.004, respectively). Patients with two-consecutive CR had a significantly higher minADC than those without (P = 0.018). There was no association between ADC metrics or clinical characteristics and recurrence (all P > 0.05). MinADC yielded the largest AUC in predicting CR (0.688 and 0.735 at the second and third follow-up, respectively) and the presence of two-consecutive CR (0.753). When combined with patient age and HE4 level, the prediction of CR could be further improved at the third follow-up, with an AUC of 0.786.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment minADC could be a potential imaging biomarker for predicting FST response. Clinical characteristics may have incremental value to minADC in predicting CR.

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient as a Noninvasive Biomarker for the Early Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization using Drug-Eluting Beads

BACKGROUND

Prognostic evaluation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using drug-eluting beads (DEBs) is essential for guiding the personalized treatment and follow-up strategy. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) has been reported as a biomarker in conventional TACE.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic value of ADCbaseline, ADC change, and ADCratio in predicting the early objective response for HCC after DEB-TACE.

METHODS

This prospective single-center study included 32 consecutive patients undergoing dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging before and 1 month after DEB-TACE. After DEB-TACE, patients were grouped based on the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria into responders (complete response [CR], partial response [PR] ) and nonresponders (stable disease [SD], progressive disease [PD]). The Mann-Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to assess the statistical differences in ADCbaseline, ADC change, and ADCratio between responders and nonresponders.

RESULTS

At post-DEB-TACE follow-up MRI, 62.5% (n = 20, 11 CRs, and 9 PRs) of patients showed objective response, and 37.5% (n = 12, 7 SDs, and 5 PDs) did not respond to chemoembolization. Nonresponders had a significantly higher ADCbaseline value than responders (p < 0.001). The ROC for identifying the response to chemoembolization demonstrated that the threshold ADCbaseline value of 0.920 × 10-3 mm2/s had 100% sensitivity and 70% specificity. The ADC change and ADCratio of responders were higher than that of nonresponders (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

ADCbaseline, ADC change, and ADCratio may be utilized as a noninvasive biomarker for predicting the early response of HCC to DEB-TACE.

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Can Predict Response to Chemotherapy of Liver Metastases in Colorectal Cancer

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the suitability of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) as a predictor of response to systemic chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE library, SCOPUS database, and EMBASE database were screened for relationships between pretreatment ADC values of hepatic CRC metastases and response to systemic chemotherapy. Overall, five eligible studies were identified. The following data were extracted: authors, year of publication, study design, number of patients, mean value ADC and standard-deviation, measure method, b-values, and Tesla-strength. The methodological quality of every study was checked according to the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Studies-2 instrument. The meta-analysis was undertaken by employing RevMan 5.3 software. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models with inverse-variance weights were used to account for heterogeneity. Mean ADC values including 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

Five studies (n = 114 patients) were included. The pretreatment mean ADC in the responder group was 1.15 × 10^-3 mm²/s (1.03, 1.28) and 1.37 × 10^-3 mm²/s (1.3, 1.44) in the nonresponder group. An ADC baseline threshold of 1.2 × 10^-3 mm²/s, below which no nonresponder was found, can distinguish both groups.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate ADC can serve as a predictor of response to chemotherapy for CRC patients.

Prediction of Early Treatment Response in Multiple Myeloma Using MY-RADS Total Burden Score, ADC, and Fat Fraction From Whole-Body MRI: Impact of Anemia on Predictive Performance

Background: The recently released Myeloma Response Assessment and Diagnosis System (MY-RADS) for multiple myeloma (MM) evaluation by whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) describes the total burden score. However, assessment is confounded by red bone marrow hyperplasia in anemia. Objective: To assess utility of the MY-RADS total burden score, ADC, and fat fraction (FF) from WB-MRI in predicting early treatment response in patients with newly diagnosed MM and to compare these measures' utility between patients with and without anemia. Methods: This retrospective study included 56 patients (mean age 57.4±9.6 years; 40 men, 16 women) with newly diagnosed MM who underwent baseline WB-MRI including DWI and mDixon sequences. Two radiologists recorded total burden score using MY-RADS and measured ADC and FF of diffuse and focal disease sites. Mean values across sites were derived. Interobserver agreement was evaluated; readers' mean assessments were used for further analyses. Presence of deep response after four cycles of induction chemotherapy was recorded. Patients were classified as anemic if having hemoglobin less than 100 g/L. Utility of WB-MRI parameters in predicting deep response was assessed. Results: A total of 24/56 patients showed deep response; a total of 25/56 patients had anemia. Interobserver agreement, expressed using intraclass correlation coefficients, ranged from 0.95 to 0.99. Among patients without anemia, those with deep response compared with those without deep response exhibited lower total burden score (9.0 vs 18.0), lower ADC (0.79x10-3mm²/s vs 1.08x10-3mm²/s), and higher FF (0.21 vs 0.10) (all p<.001). The combination of these three parameters (optimal cutoffs: <15 for total burden score, <0.84×10-3mm²/s for ADC, >0.16 for FF) achieved sensitivity of 93.8%, specificity of 93.3%, and accuracy of 93.5% for predicting deep response. In patients with anemia, none of the three parameters were significantly different between those with and without deep response (all p>.05), and the combination of parameters achieved sensitivity of 56.3%, specificity of 100.0%, and accuracy of 72.0%. Conclusion: Low total burden score, low ADC, and high FF from WB-MRI may predict deep response in MM, though only among those patients without anemia. Clinical Impact: WB-MRI findings may help guide determination of prognosis and initial treatment selection in MM.

Clinical value of artificial intelligence in hepatocellular carcinoma: Current status and prospect

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most commonly diagnosed type of liver cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The early identification of HCC and effective treatments for it have been challenging. Due to the sufficient compensatory ability of early patients and its nonspecific symptoms, HCC is more likely to escape diagnosis in the incipient stage, during which patients can achieve a more satisfying overall survival if they undergo resection or liver transplantation. Patients at advanced stages can profit from radical therapies in a limited way. In order to improve the unfavorable prognosis of HCC, diagnostic ability and treatment efficiency must be improved. The past decade has seen rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, underlying its unique usefulness in almost every field, including that of medicine. Herein, we sought and reviewed studies that put emphasis on artificial intelligence and HCC.

Tumor-to-Normal Ratio Relationship between Planning Technetium-99 Macroaggregated Albumin and Posttherapy Yttrium-90 Bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT

PURPOSE

To quantify the relationship of the tumor-to-normal ratio (TNR) attained from the technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (MAA) and posttreatment yttrium-90 bremsstrahlung (Y90-Brem) single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT)/computer tomography (CT) studies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with glass microspheres.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospectively, a total of 190 consecutive patients with HCC who underwent 204 MAA and Y90-Brem SPECT/CT for glass microsphere Y90 radiation segmentectomy (Y90-RS) or lobar treatment (Y90-RLT) between 2013 and 2018 were included. Semi-automated regions-of-interests were drawn around the targeted tumor and nontumoral liver tissue on the SPECT/CT studies. TNR values from MAA and Y90-Brem SPECT/CT were compared using paired t-tests, Pearson correlation, and median with interquartile ranges (IQR).

RESULTS

The mean TNR for MAA and Y90-Brem SPECT/CT was 2.96 ± 1.86 (median, 2.64; IQR, 2.50) and 2.29 ± 1.10 (median, 2.06; IQR, 1.05), respectively (P < .0001). The mean Y90-RLT TNR was 2.88 ± 1.67 (median, 2.59; IQR, 0.83) and 2.17 ± 0.89 (median, 1.98; IQR, 0.81) for MAA and Y90-Brem SPECT/CT, respectively (P < .0001). The mean Y90-RS TNR was 3.02 ± 2.01 (median, 2.87; IQR, 3.01) and 2.39 ± 1.25 (median, 2.11; IQR, 1.28) for MAA and Y90-Brem SPECT/CT, respectively (P = .0003). TNR attained from MAA and Y90 SPECT/CT studies showed a moderate correlation in a positive linear fashion for the overall (r = 0.54; P < .001), Y90-RLT (r = 0.66, P < .001), and Y90-RS cohorts (r = 0.48, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The TNR attained from Y90-Brem SPECT/CT is often underestimated, positively correlated, and less variable than that attained from MAA SPECT/CT.

Baseline apparent diffusion coefficients: Validation study of new predictor of survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma following chemoembolization

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether the baseline apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) can predict survival in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving chemoembolization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of HCC patients is performed within 2 weeks before chemoembolization. The ADC of the largest index lesion is recorded. Responses are assessed by mRECIST after the start of the second course of chemoembolization. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis is performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and determine optimal cut-off values. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses are used to explore the differences in overall survival (OS) between the responders and non-responders.

RESULTS

The difference is statistically significant in the baseline ADC between the responders and non-responders (P < 0.001). ROC analyses indicate that the baseline ADC value is a good predictor of response to treatment with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.744 and the optimal cut-off value of 1.22×10-3 mm2/s. The Cox regression model shows that the baseline ADC is an independent predictor of OS, with a 57.2% reduction in risk.

CONCLUSION

An optimal baseline ADC value is a functional imaging response biomarker that has higher discriminatory power to predict tumor response and prolonged survival following chemoembolization in HCC patients.

Imaging Changes and Clinical Complications After Drug-Eluting Bead Versus Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND. Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) has emerged as an alternative to conventional TACE (cTACE) for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although selection between the approaches remains controversial. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare DEB-TACE and cTACE in the treatment of patients with unresectable HCC in terms of hepatobiliary changes on imaging and clinical complications. METHODS. This retrospective study included 1002 patients (871 men, 131 women; mean age, 59 ± 12 years) from three centers who had previously untreated unresectable HCC and underwent DEB-TACE with epirubicin (780 procedures in 394 patients) or cTACE with ethiodized oil mixed with doxorubicin and oxaliplatin (1187 procedures in 608 patients) between May 2016 and November 2018. Among these patients 83.4% had hepatitis B-related liver disease, 57.6% had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A or B HCC, and 42.4% had three or more nodules. Mean tumor size was 6.3 ± 4.2 cm. Hepatobiliary changes and tumor response were evaluated with CT or MRI 1 month after TACE. Clinical records were reviewed for adverse events. RESULTS. Bile duct dilatation (p < .001) and portal vein narrowing (p = .006) on imaging and liver failure (p = .03) and grade 3 abdominal pain (p < .001) in clinical follow-up occurred at higher frequency in the DEB-TACE group (15.5%, 4.6%, 2.3%, and 6.1%) than in the cTACE (7.4%, 1.6%, 0.7%, and 2.1%) group. Higher frequency of bile duct dilation in patients who underwent DEB-TACE was observed in subgroup analyses that included patients with BCLC stage A or B HCC (p = .001), with cirrhosis (p < .001), without cirrhosis (p = .04), and without main portal vein tumor thrombus (p = .002). Total bilirubin level 1 month after treatment was 1.5 ± 2.4 mg/dL (95% CI, 1.2-1.8 mg/dL) for DEB-TACE versus 1.3 ± 2.0 mg/dL (95% CI, 1.1-1.5 mg/dL) for cTACE (p = .02). The cTACE and DEB-TACE groups did not differ in other manifestations of postembolization syndrome or systemic toxicity (p > .05). Local tumor disease control rates did not differ between the cTACE and DEB-TACE groups (1 month, 96.7% vs 98.5%, p = .06; 3 months, 81.8% vs 82.4%, p = .87), but overall DCR was significantly higher in the cTACE than in the DEB-TACE group (1 month, 87.5% vs 80.0%, p = .001; 3 months, 78.5% vs 72.1%, p = .02). CONCLUSION. Compared with cTACE, DEB-TACE was associated with greater frequency of hepatobiliary injury and severe abdominal pain. CLINICAL IMPACT. Greater caution and closer follow-up are warranted for patients who undergo DEB-TACE for unresectable HCC than for those who undergo cTACE.

Pretreatment Apparent Diffusion Coefficient as a Predictor of Response to Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Immediately Combined with Radiofrequency Ablation for Treatment of Solitary Large Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose

To evaluate whether the pretreatment apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measured with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of tumor can be used as an imaging biomarker for predicting prognosis in solitary large hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) immediately combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Patients and Methods

In this single institution retrospective study, 40 solitary large HCCs that underwent treatment with TACE immediately combined with RFA were analyzed. All patients underwent abdominal dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging within one month before treatment with DWI, and ADC values in the lesions were measured by two independent radiologists. Associations among patients’ preoperative ADC values and objective response (OR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were examined. Survival curves were drawn with the Kaplan–Meier method, and differences were determined with the Log rank test. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses of PFS and OS.

Results

Forty solitary large HCCs (mean 9.54 cm, range 5.04–16.06 cm) were successfully treated with TACE in immediate combination with RFA (OR 75%). The ADC values were significantly higher in the response group than the non-response group (1.51±0.32×10⁻³ mm²/s vs 1.09±0.17×10⁻³ mm²/s; P<0.001). As predicted on the basis of the ADC values, the optimal cutoff value for the efficacy of TACE combined with RFA was 1.32×10⁻³ mm²/s, with a predictive sensitivity of 0.63 and a specificity of 1.00. Patients with high ADC had longer PFS than those with low ADC (14.9 months vs 5.3 months; P<0.001) and had significantly longer survival rates (22.6 months vs 12.1 months; P=0.004).

Conclusion

Preoperative ADC values <1.32×10⁻³ mm²/s are an independent predictor of poorer prognosis in patients with solitary large HCCs who have undergone TACE immediately combined with RFA.

Integrating baseline MR imaging biomarkers into BCLC and CLIP improves overall survival prediction of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the independent predictive role of baseline imaging biomarkers for overall survival (OS) and transplant-free survival (TFS) in patients with HCC and assess the incremental value of these biomarkers to current staging systems.

METHODS

In this retrospective IRB approved study, the clinical, laboratory, and imaging parameters of 304 HCC patients were collected. Cox regression model was utilized to identify the potential predictors of survival. Recursive partitioning test was utilized to identify the optimal ADC cutoff for stratifying patients' OS. Patients were stratified based on Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) and Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP). Binary ADC value (above vs. below the cutoff) and tumor margin (well- vs. ill-defined) were integrated into BCLC and CLIP. OS and TFS was compared for patients based on standard criteria with and without imaging biomarkers.

RESULTS

At baseline, patients with low tumor ADC and well-defined tumor margin (favorable imaging biomarkers) had longer survival, as compared to those with high ADC and ill-defined tumor margin (unfavorable imaging biomarkers) (median OS of 43 months vs. 7 months, respectively) (p < 0.001). Tumor ADC and tumor margin remained strong independent predictors of survival after adjustment for demographics, BCLC and CLIP staging, and tumor burden. Incorporating ADC and tumor margin improved performance of OS prediction by 9% in BCLC group and 6% in CLIP group.

CONCLUSION

Incorporating ADC and tumor margin to current staging systems for HCC significantly improve prediction of OS and TFS of these criteria.

KEY POINTS

• ADC and tumor margin are predictors of overall survival in HCC patients, independent of clinical, laboratory, and other imaging variables. • Adding ADC and tumor margin improved the prognostic value of BCLC and CLIP criteria by 9% and 6%, respectively. • High ADC and ill-defined tumor margin at baseline predicted poor survival, regardless of patient's liver function and general health status.

Utility of diffusion weighted imaging with the quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient in diagnosing residual or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after transarterial chemoembolization: a meta-analysis

Background

Accurate and early diagnosis of residual tumors or intrahepatic recurrences after TACE is critically needed for determining the success of treatments and for guiding subsequent therapeutic planning. This meta-analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) with the quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value in diagnosing residual or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Materials and methods

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane Library database, from inception to July 2019, was conducted to select original studies on diagnosing residual or recurrent HCCs after TACE using DWI sequence with its ADC value. Two researchers independently chose study, extracted data, conducted meta-analysis, and evaluated methodological quality according to Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool.

Results

Twelve studies comprising 624 patients and 712 tumors were finally included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity and AUC value of DWI in diagnosing residual or recurrent HCCs after TACE were 85% (95%CI: 74–92%), 83% (95%CI: 75–88%) and 0.90 (95%CI: 0.87–0.92), respectively. Residual or recurrent HCCs have significantly lower ADC value than necrotic tumors (MD = -0.48, 95%CI: − 0.69~ − 0.27, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that DWI performed better in diagnosing residual or recurrent HCCs after TACE, and ADC value may serve as alternatives for further evaluation of residual or recurrent leisions in HCC patients after TACE.

Efficacy and Safety of Drug-Eluting Beads Transarterial Chemoembolization by CalliSpheres® in 275 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: Results From the Chinese CalliSpheres® Transarterial Chemoembolization in Liver Cancer (CTILC) Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) treatment in Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and the prognostic factors for treatment response as well as survival. A total of 275 HCC patients were included in this prospective study. Treatment response was assessed by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), and progression-free survival (PFS) as well as overall survival (OS) were determined. Liver function and adverse events (AEs) were assessed before and after DEB-TACE operation. Complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and objective response rate (ORR) were 22.9%, 60.7%, and 83.6%, respectively. The mean PFS was 362 (95% CI: 34.9–375) days, the 6-month PFS rate was 89.4 ± 2.1%, while the mean OS was 380 (95% CI: 370–389) days, and the 6-month OS rate was 94.4 ± 1.7%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that portal vein invasion (p = 0.011) was an independent predictor of worse clinical response. Portal vein invasion (p = 0.040), previous cTACE treatment (p = 0.030), as well as abnormal serum creatinine level (BCr) (p = 0.017) were independent factors that predicted worse ORR. In terms of survival, higher Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage (p = 0.029) predicted for worse PFS, and abnormal albumin (ALB) (p = 0.011) and total serum bilirubin (TBIL) (p = 0.009) predicted for worse OS. The number of patients with abnormal albumin, total protein (TP), TBIL, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were augmented at 1 week posttreatment and were similar at 1–3 months compared with baseline. The most common AEs were pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting, and no severe AEs were observed in this study. DEB-TACE was effective and tolerable in treating Chinese HCC patients, and portal vein invasion, previous cTACE treatment, abnormal BCr, ALB, and TBIL appear to be important factors that predict worse clinical outcome.

Baseline 3D-ADC outperforms 2D-ADC in predicting response to treatment in patients with colorectal liver metastases

OBJECTIVES

To examine the value of baseline 3D-ADC and to predict short-term response to treatment in patients with hepatic colorectal metastases (CLMs).

METHODS

Liver MR images of 546 patients with CLMs (2008-2015) were reviewed retrospectively and 68 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Patients had received systemic chemotherapy (n = 17), hepatic trans-arterial chemoembolization or TACE (n = 34), and ⁹⁰Y radioembolization (n = 17). Baseline (pre-treatment) 3D-ADC (volumetric) of metastatic lesions was calculated employing prototype software. RECIST 1.1 was used to assess short-term response to treatment. Prediction of response to treatment by baseline 3D-ADC and 2D-ADC (ROI-based) was also compared in all patients.

RESULTS

Partial response to treatment (minimum 30% decrease in tumor largest transverse diameter) was seen in 35.3% of patients; 41.2% with systemic chemotherapy, 32.4% with TACE, and 35.3% with ⁹⁰Y radioembolization (p = 0.82). Median baseline 3D-ADC was significantly lower in responding than in nonresponding lesions. Area under the curve (AUC) of 3D-ADC was 0.90 in ⁹⁰Y radioembolization patients, 0.88 in TACE patients, and 0.77 in systemic chemotherapy patients (p < 0.01). Optimal prediction was observed with the 10th percentile of ADC (1006 × 10^-6 mm²/s), yielding sensitivity and specificity of 77.4% and 91.3%, respectively. 3D-ADC outperformed 2D-ADC in predicting response to treatment (AUC; 0.86 vs. 0.71; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Baseline 3D-ADC is a highly specific biomarker in predicting partial short-term response to treatment in hepatic CLMs.

KEY POINTS

• Baseline 3D-ADC is a highly specific biomarker in predicting response to different treatments in hepatic CLMs. • The prediction level of baseline ADC is better for⁹⁰Y radioembolization than for systemic chemotherapy/TACE in hepatic CLMs. • 3D-ADC outperforms 2D-ADC in predicting short-term response to treatment in hepatic CLMs.

MRI assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma after locoregional therapy

Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitute one of the major causes of morbidity, mortality, and high health care costs worldwide. Multiple treatment options are available for HCC depending on the clinical status of the patient, size and location of the tumor, and available techniques and expertise. Locoregional treatment options are multiple. The most challenging part is how to assess the treatment response by different imaging modalities, but our scope will be assessing the response to locoregional therapy for HCC by MRI. This will be addressed by conventional MR methods using LI-RADS v2018 and by functional MR using diffusion-weighted imaging, perfusion, and highlighting the value of the novel intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM).

Efficacy and safety profile of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization by CalliSpheres® beads in Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of drug eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) treatment by CalliSpheres® in Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as the predicting factors for response.

METHODS

99 patients with HCC were consecutively enrolled in this study. All participants were treated by CalliSpheres® DEB-TACE. Clinical response was evaluated according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) was used to assess the adverse events and liver dysfunction during and after the operation.

RESULTS

Post treatment, 16 patients (16.2%) achieved CR and 59 (59.6%) achieved PR, the ORR was 75.8%. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with higher BCLC stage were of worse CR and ORR rates, and the CR as well as ORR between patients with cTACE history and patients without cTACE history were similar. Univariate logistic regression analysis displayed that number of nodules > 3, higher BCLC stage and previous cTACE might be correlated with worse ORR but with no statistical significance. As to liver function, CTCAE grades of laboratory indexes for liver function were increased at 1 week compared to baseline and recovered to the baseline grades at 1-3 months post operation. Besides, most of the common adverse events were light and moderate in our study.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, DEB-TACE by CalliSpheres® was efficient and well tolerated in Chinese HCC patients, and BCLC stage, number of nodules and cTACE history were possibly correlated with treatment response.

Baseline Apparent Diffusion Coefficient as a Predictor of Response to Liver-Directed Therapies in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Predicting outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who undergo locoregional therapies remains a substantial clinical challenge. The purpose of this study was to investigate pre-procedure diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) as an imaging biomarker for tumoral response to therapy for patients with HCC undergoing drug eluting embolic (DEE) chemoembolization and radioembolization. A retrospective review of HCC patients who underwent DEE chemoembolization or radioembolization was performed. Of the 58 patients who comprised the study population, 32 underwent DEE chemoembolization and 26 underwent radioembolization. There was no significant difference in median apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values across the two treatment groups (1.01 × 10^-3 mm²/s, P = 0.25). The immediate objective response (OR) rate was 71% (40/56). Tumors with high ADC values were found to have a higher probability of OR within 90 days (odds ratio 4.4, P = 0.03). Moreover, index lesion specific progression free survival (PFS) was greater for high ADC tumors, independent of conventional predictors of treatment response (hazard ratio 0.44, P = 0.01). Low ADC was associated with poorer PFS (P = 0.02). Pre-procedure ADC < 1.01 × 10^-3 mm²/s is an independent predictor of poorer immediate OR and index lesion specific PFS in patients with HCC undergoing DEE chemoembolization or radioembolization.

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging: A molecular imaging tool caught between hope, hype and the real world of “personalized oncology”

“Personalized oncology” is a multi-disciplinary science, which requires inputs from various streams for optimal patient management. Humongous progress in the treatment modalities available and the increasing need to provide functional information in addition to the morphological data; has led to leaping progress in the field of imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging has undergone tremendous progress with various newer MR techniques providing vital functional information and is becoming the cornerstone of “radiomics/radiogenomics”. Diffusion-weighted imaging is one such technique which capitalizes on the tendency of water protons to diffuse randomly in a given system. This technique has revolutionized oncological imaging, by giving vital qualitative and quantitative information regarding tumor biology which helps in detection, characterization and post treatment surveillance of the lesions and challenging the notion that “one size fits all”. It has been applied at various sites with different clinical experience. We hereby present a brief review of this novel functional imaging tool, with its application in “personalized oncology”.

Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: An update on international guidelines

Imaging is essential for the successful management of patients with or at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). If ultrasound remains the key screening modality, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can play a major role in the characterization and noninvasive diagnosis of nodules in patients at risk of developing HCC. Each technique has succeeded in adapting to the wide histological spectrum of focal liver lesions. In this review, we discuss recent advancements in imaging techniques and evaluation - notably diffusion-weighted imaging, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and liver-specific MRI contrast agents - as well as their addition to international guidelines and reporting systems such as the Liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS).

Predicting Treatment Response of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases to Conventional Lipiodol-Based Transarterial Chemoembolization Using Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging: Value of Pretreatment Apparent Diffusion Coefficients (ADC) and ADC Changes Under Therapy

PURPOSE

To use absolute pretreatment apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) derived from diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) to predict response to repetitive cTACE for unresectable liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma (CRLM) at 1 and 3 months after start of treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-five metastases in 34 patients were examined with DWI prior to treatment and 1 month after initial cTACE. Treatment was performed in 4-week intervals. Response was evaluated at 1 and 3 months after start of therapy. Metastases showing a decrease of ≥30% in axial diameter were classified as responding lesions.

RESULTS

One month after initial cTACE, seven lesions showed early response. There was no significant difference in absolute pretreatment ADC values between responding and non-responding lesions (p = 0.94). Three months after initial cTACE, 17 metastases showed response. There was a significant difference (p = 0.021) between absolute pretreatment ADC values of lesions showing response (median 1.08 × 10^-3 mm²/s) and no response (median 1.30 × 10^-3 mm²/s). Pretreatment ADC showed fair diagnostic value to predict response (AUC 0.7). Lesions showing response at 3 months also revealed a significant increase in ADC between measurements before treatment and at one month after initial cTACE (p < 0.001). Applying an increase in ADC of 12.17%, response at 3 months after initial cTACE could be predicted with a sensitivity and specificity of 77 and 74%, respectively (AUC 0.817). Furthermore, there was a strong and significant correlation (r = 0.651, p < 0.001) between percentage change in size after third cTACE and percentage change in ADC.

CONCLUSION

In patients with CRLM, ADC measurements are potential biomarkers for assessing response to cTACE.

Prognostic Value of Metabolic Parameters of 18F-FDG PET/CT and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient of MRI in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to predict the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by examining metabolic PET parameters, apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs), and clinical parameters.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 52 patients with pathologically confirmed HCC (age, 57.9 ± 10.7 years; 43 men) who underwent MRI and F-FDG PET/CT. The tumor-to-normal liver SUV ratio (TLR), the mean ADC of each tumor, and other clinical data were obtained. Survival analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients died during the follow-up period. There was an inverse correlation between the mean SUV and the mean ADC of a tumor (r = -0.402, P = 0.020). Among HCC patients, disease-specific survival was significantly associated with each of the following factors: high TLR (TLR ≥ 2; hazard ratio [HR], 3.78; P = 0.001), high mean ADC (mean ADC ≥ 1.250 × 10 mm/s; HR, 0.45; P = 0.028), AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL (HR, 3.48; P = 0.001), PIVKA-II ≥ 100mAU/mL (HR, 6.39; P = 0.011), tumor size (HR, 1.13; P < 0.001), number of tumors (HR, 2.16; P = 0.031), tumor stage (HR, 3.08; P < 0.001), and surgery for initial treatment (HR, 0.06; P < 0.001). The results of multivariate analysis show that DSS was significantly associated with each of the following factors: TLR ≥ 2 (HR, 2.46; P = 0.044), PIVKA-II ≥ 100mAU/mL (HR, 5.11; P = 0.037), tumor stage (HR, 3.01; P < 0.001), and surgery for initial treatment (HR, 0.04; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

High TLRs and low mean ADCs were associated with poor outcomes. The TLR was an independent prognostic factor in patients with HCC, but the mean ADC was not. A negative correlation was found between the mean ADC and the mean SUV of a tumor.

The Role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) in Locoregional Therapy Outcome Prediction and Response Assessment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): The New Era of Functional Imaging Biomarkers

Reliable response criteria are critical for the evaluation of therapeutic response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Current response assessment is mainly based on: (1) changes in size, which is at times unreliable and lag behind the result of therapy; and (2) contrast enhancement, which can be difficult to quantify in the presence of benign post-procedural changes and in tumors presenting with a heterogeneous pattern of enhancement. Given these challenges, functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have been recently investigated, aiding specificity to locoregional therapy response assessment and outcome prediction. Briefly, DWI quantifies diffusion of water occurring naturally at a cellular level (Brownian movement), which is restricted in multiple neoplasms because of high cellularity. Disruption of cellular integrity secondary to therapy results in increased water diffusion across the injured membranes. This review will provide an overview of the current literature on DWI therapy response assessment and outcome prediction in HCC following treatment with locoregional therapies.