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Boeke S, Winter RM, Leibfarth S, Krueger MA, Bowden G, Cotton J, Pichler BJ, Zips D, Thorwarth D. Machine learning identifies multi-parametric functional PET/MR imaging cluster to predict radiation resistance in preclinical head and neck cancer models. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023; 50:3084-3096. [PMID: 37148296 PMCID: PMC10382355 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06254-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tumor hypoxia and other microenvironmental factors are key determinants of treatment resistance. Hypoxia positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are established prognostic imaging modalities to identify radiation resistance in head-and-neck cancer (HNC). The aim of this preclinical study was to develop a multi-parametric imaging parameter specifically for focal radiotherapy (RT) dose escalation using HNC xenografts of different radiation sensitivities. METHODS A total of eight human HNC xenograft models were implanted into 68 immunodeficient mice. Combined PET/MRI using dynamic [18F]-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) hypoxia PET, diffusion-weighted (DW), and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was carried out before and after fractionated RT (10 × 2 Gy). Imaging data were analyzed on voxel-basis using principal component (PC) analysis for dynamic data and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) for DW-MRI. A data- and hypothesis-driven machine learning model was trained to identify clusters of high-risk subvolumes (HRSs) from multi-dimensional (1-5D) pre-clinical imaging data before and after RT. The stratification potential of each 1D to 5D model with respect to radiation sensitivity was evaluated using Cohen's d-score and compared to classical features such as mean/peak/maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmean/peak/max) and tumor-to-muscle-ratios (TMRpeak/max) as well as minimum/valley/maximum/mean ADC. RESULTS Complete 5D imaging data were available for 42 animals. The final preclinical model for HRS identification at baseline yielding the highest stratification potential was defined in 3D imaging space based on ADC and two FMISO PCs ([Formula: see text]). In 1D imaging space, only clusters of ADC revealed significant stratification potential ([Formula: see text]). Among all classical features, only ADCvalley showed significant correlation to radiation resistance ([Formula: see text]). After 2 weeks of RT, FMISO_c1 showed significant correlation to radiation resistance ([Formula: see text]). CONCLUSION A quantitative imaging metric was described in a preclinical study indicating that radiation-resistant subvolumes in HNC may be detected by clusters of ADC and FMISO using combined PET/MRI which are potential targets for future functional image-guided RT dose-painting approaches and require clinical validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Boeke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Tübingen, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - René M Winter
- Section for Biomedical Physics, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Leibfarth
- Section for Biomedical Physics, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marcel A Krueger
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gregory Bowden
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonathan Cotton
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernd J Pichler
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Zips
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Tübingen, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Thorwarth
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Tübingen, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Section for Biomedical Physics, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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Rosen BS, Vaishampayan N, Cao Y, Mierzwa ML. The Utility of Interim Positron Emission Tomography Imaging to Inform Adaptive Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer J 2023; 29:243-247. [PMID: 37471616 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT In this article, as part of this special issue on biomarkers of early response, we review the current evidence to support the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging during chemoradiation therapy to inform biologically adaptive radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We review literature covering this topic spanning nearly 3 decades, including the use of various radiotracers and discoveries of novel predictive PET biomarkers. Through understanding how observational trials have informed current interventional clinical trials, we hope that this review will encourage researchers and clinicians to incorporate PET response criteria in new trial designs to advance biologically optimized radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S Rosen
- From the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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Delaby N, Barateau A, Chiavassa S, Biston MC, Chartier P, Graulières E, Guinement L, Huger S, Lacornerie T, Millardet-Martin C, Sottiaux A, Caron J, Gensanne D, Pointreau Y, Coutte A, Biau J, Serre AA, Castelli J, Tomsej M, Garcia R, Khamphan C, Badey A. Practical and technical key challenges in head and neck adaptive radiotherapy: The GORTEC point of view. Phys Med 2023; 109:102568. [PMID: 37015168 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2023.102568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Anatomical variations occur during head and neck (H&N) radiotherapy (RT) treatment. These variations may result in underdosage to the target volume or overdosage to the organ at risk. Replanning during the treatment course can be triggered to overcome this issue. Due to technological, methodological and clinical evolutions, tools for adaptive RT (ART) are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the key steps of an H&N ART workflow and tools from the point of view of a group of French-speaking medical physicists and physicians (from GORTEC). Focuses are made on image registration, segmentation, estimation of the delivered dose of the day, workflow and quality assurance for an implementation of H&N offline and online ART. Practical recommendations are given to assist physicians and medical physicists in a clinical workflow.
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Histogram analysis of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging: Correlations with histopathological factors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Eur J Radiol 2023; 160:110715. [PMID: 36753947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.110715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyse the association between histogram parameters derived from synthetic MRI (SyMRI) and different histopathological factors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHOD Sixty-one patients with histologically proven primary HNSCC were prospectively enrolled. The correlations between histogram parameters of SyMRI (T1, T2 and proton density (PD) maps) and histopathological factors were analysed using Spearman analysis. The Mann-Whitney U test or Student's t test was utilized to differentiate histological grades and human papillomavirus (HPV) status. The ROC curves and leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) were used to evaluate the differentiation performance. Bootstrapping was applied to avoid overfitting. RESULTS Several histogram parameters were associated with histological grade: T1 map (r = 0.291) and PD map (r = 0.294 - 0.382/-0.343), and PD_75th Percentile showed the highest differentiation performance (AUC: 0.721 (ROC) and 0.719 (LOOCV)). Moderately negative correlations were found between p16 status and the histogram parameters: T1 map (r = -0.587 - -0.390), T2 map (r = -0.649 - -0.357) and PD map (r = -0.537 - -0.338). In differentiating HPV infection, Entropy was the most discriminative parameter in each map and T2_Entropy showed the highest diagnostic performance (AUC: 0.851 [ROC] and 0.851 [LOOCV]). Additionally, several histogram parameters were correlated with Ki-67 (r = -0.379/-0.397), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (r = 0.318/0.322) status and p53 (r = 0.452 - 0.665/-0.607) status. CONCLUSIONS Histogram parameters derived from SyMRI may serve as a potential biomarker for discriminating relevant histopathological features, including histological differentiation grade, HPV infection, Ki-67, EGFR and p53 statuses.
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Tsuchiya H, Matoba M, Nishino Y, Ota K, Doai M, Nagata H, Tuji H. Clinical utility of combined assessments of 4D volumetric perfusion CT, diffusion-weighted MRI and 18F-FDG PET-CT for the prediction of outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy. Radiat Oncol 2023; 18:24. [PMID: 36747228 PMCID: PMC9901150 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-023-02202-x] [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: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiparametric imaging has been seen as a route to improved prediction of chemoradiotherapy treatment outcomes. Four-dimensional volumetric perfusion CT (4D PCT) is useful for whole-organ perfusion measurement, as it reflects the heterogeneity of the tumor and its perfusion parameters. However, there has been no study using multiparametric imaging including 4D PCT for the prognostic prediction of chemoradiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether combining assessments of 4D PCT with diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT could enhance prognostic accuracy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. METHODS We examined 53 patients with HNSCC who underwent 4D PCT, DWI and PET-CT before chemoradiotherapy. The imaging and clinical parameters were assessed the relations to locoregional control (LRC) and progression-free survival (PFS) by logistic regression analyses. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of the significant parameters identified by the multivariate analysis for the prediction of LRC and PFS. We additionally assessed using the scoring system whether these independent parameters could have a complementary role for the prognostic prediction. RESULTS The median follow-up was 30 months. In multivariate analysis, blood flow (BF; p = 0.02) and blood volume (BV; p = 0.04) were significant prognostic factors for LRC, and BF (p = 0.03) and skewness of the ADC histogram (p = 0.02) were significant prognostic factors for PFS. A significant positive correlation was found between BF and BV (ρ = 0.6, p < 0.001) and between BF and skewness (ρ = 0.46, p < 0.01). The ROC analysis showed that prognostic accuracy for LRC of BF, BV, and combination of BF and BV were 77.8%, 70%, and 92.9%, and that for PFS of BF, skewness, and combination of BF and skewness were 55.6%, 63.2%, and 77.5%, respectively. The scoring system demonstrated that the combination of higher BF and higher BV was significantly associated with better LRC (p = 0.04), and the combination of lower BF and lower skewness was significantly associated with worse PFS (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION A combination of parameters derived from 4DPCT and ADC histograms may enhance prognostic accuracy in HNSCC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Tsuchiya
- grid.411998.c0000 0001 0265 5359Department of Radiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Daigaku 1-1, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa 920-0293 Japan
| | - Munetaka Matoba
- Department of Radiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Daigaku 1-1, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan.
| | - Yuka Nishino
- grid.411998.c0000 0001 0265 5359Department of Radiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Daigaku 1-1, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa 920-0293 Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Ota
- grid.411998.c0000 0001 0265 5359Department of Radiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Daigaku 1-1, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa 920-0293 Japan
| | - Mariko Doai
- grid.411998.c0000 0001 0265 5359Department of Radiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Daigaku 1-1, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa 920-0293 Japan
| | - Hiroji Nagata
- grid.411998.c0000 0001 0265 5359Section of Radiological Technology, Department of Medical Technology, Kanazawa Medical University, Daigaku 1-1, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa 920-0293 Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tuji
- grid.411998.c0000 0001 0265 5359Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Kanazawa Medical University, Daigaku 1-1, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa 920-0293 Japan
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Prospective Investigation of 18FDG-PET/MRI with Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Diffusion-Weighted Imaging to Assess Survival in Patients with Oropharyngeal or Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246104. [PMID: 36551590 PMCID: PMC9775681 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246104] [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: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To prospectively investigate the prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/MRI in patients with oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OHSCC) treated by chemoradiotherapy. The study cohort consisted of patients with OHSCC who had undergone integrated PET/MRI prior to chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy. Imaging parameters derived from intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), and 18F-FDG PET were analyzed in relation to overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). In multivariable analysis, T classification (p < 0.001), metabolic tumor volume (p = 0.013), and pseudo-diffusion coefficient (p = 0.008) were identified as independent risk factors for OS. The volume transfer rate constant (p = 0.015), initial area under the curve (p = 0.043), T classification (p = 0.018), and N classification (p = 0.018) were significant predictors for RFS. The Harrell’s c-indices of OS and RFS obtained from prognostic models incorporating clinical and PET/MRI predictors were significantly higher than those derived from the traditional TNM staging system (p = 0.001). The combination of clinical risk factors with functional parameters derived from IVIM and DCE-MRI plus metabolic PET parameters derived from 18F-FDG PET in integrated PET/MRI outperformed the information provided by traditional TNM staging in predicting the survival of patients with OHSCC.
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Targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway as a Radiosensitization in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415749. [PMID: 36555391 PMCID: PMC9778923 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, there are over half a million new patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) every year. The current therapeutic approaches to HNSCC are surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. These approaches carry a high incidence of metastasis or recurrence from HNSCC cells' radioresistance. Recent studies have revealed that a combination with radiosensitizers can be used to improve the radioresistance in HNSCC; however, few agents are approved as radiosensitizers. The constitutive activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a vitally oncogenic type of signaling that promotes tumorigenesis, metastasis, and radiotherapy resistance in HNSCC. Pharmacological targeting of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is considered a promising strategy of radiosensitization in HNSCC. In this review, we summarize the oncogenic significance of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in HNSCC with radiotherapy resistance and highlight the therapeutic potential of small molecule inhibitors against PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling for the radiosensitization in HNSCC treatment. It provides a mechanistic framework for the development of new drugs for radiosensitization in HNSCC radiotherapy via targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Gurney-Champion OJ, Landry G, Redalen KR, Thorwarth D. Potential of Deep Learning in Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Personalized Radiotherapy. Semin Radiat Oncol 2022; 32:377-388. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Riva G, Pecorari G. Editorial for the Special Issue on Multimodality and Sequential Therapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174247. [PMID: 36077779 PMCID: PMC9454688 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Habrich J, Boeke S, Nachbar M, Nikolaou K, Schick F, Gani C, Zips D, Thorwarth D. Repeatability of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in head and neck cancer at a 1.5 T MR-Linac. Radiother Oncol 2022; 174:141-148. [PMID: 35902042 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Functional information acquired through diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) may be beneficial for personalized head and neck cancer (HNC) radiotherapy. Technical validation is required before DW-MRI based radiotherapy interventions can be realized clinically. The aim of this study was to assess the repeatability of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) derived from DW-MRI in HNC using echo-planar imaging (EPI) on a 1.5 T MR-Linac. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of eleven HNC patients underwent test/retest DW-MRI scans at least once per week during fractionated radiotherapy at the MR-Linac. An EPI DW-MRI test scan (b=0, 150, 500 s/mm2) was acquired before the start of adaptive MR-guided radiotherapy in addition to an identical retest scan after irradiation. Volumes-of-interest (VOI) were defined manually for parotid (PTs) and submandibular glands (SMs), gross tumor volume (GTV) and lymph nodes (LNs). Mean ADC was calculated for all VOI in all test/retest scans. Absolute/relative repeatability coefficients (RCs/relRCs) as well as intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were determined for all VOI. RESULTS A total of 81 datasets were analyzed. Mean test ADC values were 1380/1416, 950/1010, 1520 and 1344·10-6 mm2/s for left/right SM and PT, GTV and LNs, respectively. Accordingly, RC (relRC) values were determined as 271/281 (19.4/21.8%) and 138/155 (13.3/15.2%), 457 (31.3%) and 310·10-6 mm2/s (23.5%). ICC resulted in 0.80/0.87, 0.97/0.94, 0.75 and 0.83 for left/right SM and PT, GTV and LNs, respectively. CONCLUSION The repeatability of ADC derived from EPI DW-MRI at the 1.5 T MR-Linac appears reasonable to be used for future biologically adapted MR-guided radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Habrich
- Section for Biomedical Physics, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Simon Boeke
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Tübingen; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marcel Nachbar
- Section for Biomedical Physics, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Konstantin Nikolaou
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Fritz Schick
- Section for Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cihan Gani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Zips
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Tübingen; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniela Thorwarth
- Section for Biomedical Physics, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Tübingen; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Target Definition in MR-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14123027. [PMID: 35740691 PMCID: PMC9220977 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14123027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Adaptive radiotherapy for head and neck cancer has become more routine due to an increase in imaging quality and improvement in radiation techniques. With the availability of faster adaptive workflows, it is possible to adapt more easily to (daily) changes. MRI offers besides great anatomical imaging, also functional information about the tumor and surrounding tissue. The aim of this review is to provide current state of evidence about target definition on MRI for adaptive strategies in the treatment of head and neck cancer. Abstract In recent years, MRI-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) has taken an increasingly important position in image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers superior soft tissue contrast in anatomical imaging compared to computed tomography (CT), but also provides functional and dynamic information with selected sequences. Due to these benefits, in current clinical practice, MRI is already used for target delineation and response assessment in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Because of the close proximity of target areas and radiosensitive organs at risk (OARs) during HNSCC treatment, MRgRT could provide a more accurate treatment in which OARs receive less radiation dose. With the introduction of several new radiotherapy techniques (i.e., adaptive MRgRT, proton therapy, adaptive cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) RT, (daily) adaptive radiotherapy ensures radiation dose is accurately delivered to the target areas. With the integration of a daily adaptive workflow, interfraction changes have become visible, which allows regular and fast adaptation of target areas. In proton therapy, adaptation is even more important in order to obtain high quality dosimetry, due to its susceptibility for density differences in relation to the range uncertainty of the protons. The question is which adaptations during radiotherapy treatment are oncology safe and at the same time provide better sparing of OARs. For an optimal use of all these new tools there is an urgent need for an update of the target definitions in case of adaptive treatment for HNSCC. This review will provide current state of evidence regarding adaptive target definition using MR during radiotherapy for HNSCC. Additionally, future perspectives for adaptive MR-guided radiotherapy will be discussed.
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D’Urso P, Farneti A, Marucci L, Marzi S, Piludu F, Vidiri A, Sanguineti G. Predictors of Outcome after (Chemo)Radiotherapy for Node-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer: The Role of Functional MRI. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102477. [PMID: 35626084 PMCID: PMC9139324 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of a subset of patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer (LA-OPC) is still poor despite improvements in patient selection and treatment. Identifying specific patient- and tumor-related factors can help to select those patients who need intensified treatment. We aimed to assess the role of historical risk factors and novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers in predicting outcomes in these patients. Patients diagnosed with LA-OPC were studied with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic-contrast enhanced MRI at baseline and at the 10th radiotherapy (RT) fraction. Clinical information was collected as well. The endpoint of the study was the development of disease progression, locally or distantly. Of the 97 patients enrolled, 68 were eligible for analysis. Disease progression was recorded in 21 patients (11 had loco-regional progression, 10 developed distant metastases). We found a correlation between N diameter and disease control (p = 0.02); features such as p16 status and extranodal extension only showed a trend towards statistical significance. Among perfusion MRI features, higher median values of Kep both in primary tumor (T, p = 0.016) and lymph node (N, p = 0.003) and lower median values of ve (p = 0.018 in T, p = 0.004 in N) correlated with better disease control. Kep P90 and N diameter were identified by MRMR algorithm as the best predictors of outcome. In conclusion, the association of non-invasive MRI biomarkers and patients and tumor characteristics may help in predicting disease behavior and patient outcomes in order to ensure a more customized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasqualina D’Urso
- Department of Radiotherapy, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (L.M.); (G.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessia Farneti
- Department of Radiotherapy, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (L.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Laura Marucci
- Department of Radiotherapy, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (L.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Simona Marzi
- Medical Physics Laboratory, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesca Piludu
- Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Department, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Antonello Vidiri
- Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Department, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Giuseppe Sanguineti
- Department of Radiotherapy, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (L.M.); (G.S.)
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The Prognostic Role of miR-31 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095334. [PMID: 35564727 PMCID: PMC9105938 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with high recurrence, metastasis, and poor treatment outcome. Prognostic survival biomarkers can be a valid tool for assessing a patient's life expectancy and directing therapy toward specific targets. Recent studies have reported microRNA (miR) might play a critical role in regulating different types of cancer. The main miR used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and reported in the scientific literature for HNSCC is miR-21. Other miRs have been investigated to a lesser extent (miR-99a, miR-99b, miR-100, miR-143, miR-155, miR-7, miR-424, miR-183), but among these, the one that has attracted major interest is the miR-31. METHODS The systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines using electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, with the use of combinations of keywords, such as miR-31 AND HNSCC, microRNA AND HNSCC, and miR-31. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.41 software (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). RESULTS This search produced 721 records, which, after the elimination of duplicates and the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, led to 4 articles. The meta-analysis was conducted by applying fixed-effects models, given the low rate of heterogeneity (I2 = 40%). The results of the meta-analysis report an aggregate hazard ratio (HR) for the overall survival (OS), between the highest and lowest miR-31 expression, of 1.59, with the relative intervals of confidence (1.22 2.07). Heterogeneity was evaluated through Chi2 = 5.04 df = 3 (p = 0.17) and the Higgins index I2 = 40; testing for the overall effect was Z = 3.44 (p = 0.00006). The forest plot shows us a worsening HR value of OS, in relation to the elevated expression of miR-31. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the data resulting from the current meta-analysis suggest that miR-31 is associated with the prognosis of patients with HNSCC and that elevated miR-31 expression could predict a poor prognosis in patients with this type of neoplasm.
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