Perfusion Parameters of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Rectal Cancer: Correlation with Microvascular Density and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine whether quantitative perfusion parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) correlate with immunohistochemical markers of angiogenesis in rectal cancer.Materials and MethodsPreoperative DCE-MRI was performed in 63 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. Transendothelial volume transfer (Ktrans) and fractional volume of the extravascular-extracellular space (Ve) were measured by Interactive Data Language software in rectal cancer. After surgery, microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression scores were determined using immunohistochemical staining of rectal cancer specimens. Perfusion parameters (Ktrans, Ve) of DCE-MRI in rectal cancer were found to be correlated with MVD and VEGF expression scores by Spearman's rank coefficient analysis. T stage and N stage (negative or positive) were correlated with perfusion parameters and MVD.ResultsSignificant correlation was not found between any DCE-MRI perfusion parameters and MVD (rs = -0.056 and p = 0.662 for Ktrans; rs = -0.103 and p = 0.416 for Ve), or between any DCE-MRI perfusion parameters and the VEGF expression score (rs = -0.042, p = 0.741 for Ktrans; r = 0.086, p = 0.497 for Ve) in rectal cancer. TN stage showed no significant correlation with perfusion parameters or MVD (p > 0.05 for all).ConclusionDCE-MRI perfusion parameters, Ktrans and Ve, correlated poorly with MVD and VEGF expression scores in rectal cancer, suggesting that these parameters do not simply denote static histological vascular properties.

Comparison of Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging and multiecho dynamic contrast‐based MRI in rectal cancer

“…The results from our data suggest that blood flow in this population of rectal tumors spans both these regimes, where low BF in tumors was strongly correlated with K trans , and high tumor BF was not correlated, suggesting that the heterogeneity of rectal cancers makes it challenging to interpret results in studies focusing only on DCE-MRI. There was no significant correlation between MVD and K trans , in line with a report by Kim et al, 23 but we observed a strong negative correlation between K trans and vessel size in tumors with high perfusion. The cases for this analysis were in the high BF group where K trans is only expected to be dependent on permeability and surface area of the vessels.…”

Correlation of dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI derived volume transfer constant with histological angiogenic markers in high‐grade gliomas

“…A few studies have evaluated the relationship between the parameters of DCE-MRI (essentially K trans ) and tumour histological vascular markers of the MVD and VEGF expression, [23][24][25] but have elicited conflicting results. A few studies have evaluated the relationship between the parameters of DCE-MRI (essentially K trans ) and tumour histological vascular markers of the MVD and VEGF expression, [23][24][25] but have elicited conflicting results.…”

“…DCE-MRI provides a potentially attractive alternative for assessment of tumour angiogenesis in vivo. A few studies have evaluated the relationship between the parameters of DCE-MRI (essentially K trans ) and tumour histological vascular markers of the MVD and VEGF expression, [23][24][25] but have elicited conflicting results. Kim et al 23 showed no correlation between the tumour markers of angiogenesis and kinetic MRI parameters.…”

Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI: Study of inter‐software accuracy and reproducibility using simulated and clinical data

“…Heye et al showed considerable variability in pharmacokinetic parameters between four perfusion analysis SPs on uterine fibroid data, although additional variation may have been introduced by the use of two ROI methods and five observers . Moreover, the "true" pharmacokinetic parameters in clinical data are unknown because they are composite parameters with no direct physiological, histological, or immunohistochemical equivalent . Producing simulated data with a known “ground truth” is therefore of value, as it could be used to investigate accuracy among analysis SPs.…”

“…19 Moreover, the "true" pharmacokinetic parameters in clinical data are unknown because they are composite parameters with no direct physiological, histological, or immunohistochemical equivalent. 20 Producing simulated data with a known "ground truth" is therefore of value, as it could be used to investigate accuracy among analysis SPs.…”