Liang Li1, Yunfei Zha1, Wei Gong1, Dongjie Huang1, and Dong Xing1
1Department of Radiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China, People's Republic of
Synopsis
Assessment of
tumor proliferation has been suggested as an important additional predictor of
tumor behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible
correlation between T2 imaging, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and Ki-67 labeling
index in patients with newly diagnosed prostate tumor.Objectives
Prostate cancer (PCa)
incidence rates have risen dramatically over the last few years with a
particularly marked increase evident in the under 65 age group
1. A
noninvasive method to predict aggressiveness of PCa would be desirable because
it would help anticipate tumor recurrence and improve tumor management and the
treatment outcomes. The Ki-67 protein is a marker of tumor proliferation, and
apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and T2 relaxation time are related to
tumor cellularity
2. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship
between MRI derived parameters (ADC and T2 value) and Ki-67 labeling index (LI)
as determined from whole mounted radical prostatectomy specimens in peripheral
zone prostate cancer.
Materials and Methods
The local Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved this retrospective
study and waived the requirement of informed consent. Between April 2013 and
October 2015, fifty-two patients (mean age: 61.4 years,
range: 42-76 years) who underwent preoperative MRI and radical prostatectomy
were included in our study. Diffusion and T2 imaging were performed on a 3.0 T MR
scanner to enable subsequent ADC and T2 calculation. A radiologist and
pathologist located the dominant tumor on the MR images based on
histopathologic correlation. Ki-67 LI was then determined using an immunohistochemical
staining technique. The relationship between MR and histopathologic parameter
was assessed using scatter-plots and the
Pearson
correlation coefficient.
Results
The
mean tumor diameter was 15.2 mm (range, 5-28 mm). Of the 52 peripheral zone
prostate tumors, four (7.7%) had a Gleason score of 6, 33 (63%) had a Gleason
score of 7, and 15 (28.8%) had a Gleason score of greater than 7. ADC, T2 and Ki-67
LI in peripheral zone prostate cancer were (1.43±0.19)×10
-3mm
2/s,
(99±20) milliseconds, and 33.8%±5.3%, respectively. A significant negative
correlation with Ki-67 LI was noted for both ADC (r= -0.696,
P<0.0001) and T2 (r= -0.512,
P<0.001). Trends for increased Ki-67 LI,
decreased ADC, and decreased T2 with increasing Gleason score were also noted.
Discussion & conclusion
A correlation between
proliferation activity, PCa T2 relaxation time, and ADC values has been
investigated. Increases in cellular density and disruption of ductal architecture
in PCa can result in decreased ADC values. The Ki-67 protein functions as a
nuclear antigen that is only expressed in proliferating cells. Noninvasive
determination of parameters reflecting cell density may be important as some
clinical studies have noted increased metastatic activity in highly cellular
tumors suggesting that cellularity may be indicative of tumor aggressiveness. ADC
and to a lesser extent T2 are good indicators of Ki-67 labeling index. Because
of the potential link with Gleason score, multiparametric MRI may have a
prognostic role with regard to potential metastatic activity and tumor
aggressiveness. These results warrant further investigation on the potential of
multiparametric MRI to facilitate noninvasive assessment of prostate cancer
aggressiveness and proliferative activity.
Acknowledgements
No acknowledgement found.References
1. Hayes
JH, Barry MJ.JAMA. 2014; 311:1143-9. 2. Zhang J, Jing H, Han X, et
al. Acad Radiol. 2013;20:1535-41.