Sijtsema ND, Lauwers I, Verduijn GM, Hoogeman MS, Poot DH, Hernandez-Tamames JA, van der Lugt A, Capala ME, Petit SF. Relating pre-treatment non-Gaussian intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging to human papillomavirus status and response in oropharyngeal carcinoma.
Phys Imaging Radiat Oncol 2024;
30:100574. [PMID:
38633282 PMCID:
PMC11021835 DOI:
10.1016/j.phro.2024.100574]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a promising technique for response assessment in head-and-neck cancer. Recently, we optimized Non-Gaussian Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Imaging (NG-IVIM), an extension of the conventional apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) model, for the head and neck. In the current study, we describe the first application in a group of patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to relate ADC and NG-IVIM DWI parameters to HPV status and clinical treatment response.
Materials and methods
Thirty-six patients (18 HPV-positive, 18 HPV-negative) were prospectively included. Presence of progressive disease was scored within one year. The mean pre-treatment ADC and NG-IVIM parameters in the gross tumor volume were compared between HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients. In HPV-negative patients, ADC and NG-IVIM parameters were compared between patients with and without progressive disease.
Results
ADC, the NG-IVIM diffusion coefficient D, and perfusion fraction f were significantly higher, while pseudo-diffusion coefficient D* and kurtosis K were significantly lower in the HPV-negative compared to HPV-positive patients. In the HPV-negative group, a significantly lower D was found for patients with progressive disease compared to complete responders. No relation with ADC was observed.
Conclusion
The results of our single-center study suggest that ADC is related to HPV status, but not an independent response predictor. The NG-IVIM parameter D, however, was independently associated to response in the HPV-negative group. Noteworthy in the opposite direction as previously thought based on ADC.
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