Larkin TJ, Canuto HC, Kettunen MI, Booth TC, Hu DE, Krishnan AS, Bohndiek SE, Neves AA, McLachlan C, Hobson MP, Brindle KM. Analysis of image heterogeneity using 2D Minkowski functionals detects tumor responses to treatment.
Magn Reson Med 2014;
71:402-10. [PMID:
23440731 DOI:
10.1002/mrm.24644]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2012] [Revised: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
The acquisition of ever increasing volumes of high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data has created an urgent need to develop automated and objective image analysis algorithms that can assist in determining tumor margins, diagnosing tumor stage, and detecting treatment response.
METHODS
We have shown previously that Minkowski functionals, which are precise morphological and structural descriptors of image heterogeneity, can be used to enhance the detection, in T1 -weighted images, of a targeted Gd(3+) -chelate-based contrast agent for detecting tumor cell death. We have used Minkowski functionals here to characterize heterogeneity in T2 -weighted images acquired before and after drug treatment, and obtained without contrast agent administration.
RESULTS
We show that Minkowski functionals can be used to characterize the changes in image heterogeneity that accompany treatment of tumors with a vascular disrupting agent, combretastatin A4-phosphate, and with a cytotoxic drug, etoposide.
CONCLUSIONS
Parameterizing changes in the heterogeneity of T2 -weighted images can be used to detect early responses of tumors to drug treatment, even when there is no change in tumor size. The approach provides a quantitative and therefore objective assessment of treatment response that could be used with other types of MR image and also with other imaging modalities.
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