Volumetric histogram analysis of amide proton transfer-weighted imaging for predicting complete tumor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the potential of histogram analysis applied to pre-treatment amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) imaging in predicting complete pathological regression (pCR) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).

Materials and methods: This retrospective study enrolled LARC patients who underwent preoperative rectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based on histologic assessment, the patients were divided into a pathological complete response (pCR) group or a non-pCR group. APTw histogram features, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and clinical parameters were analyzed. Mann-Whitney U-test, Spearman rank correlation, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. The predictive performances of different models were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

Results: One-hundred forty-five patients were included (mean age, 61.6 years ± 11.8 [SD]; 87 men). pCR patients exhibited lower pre-treatment ADC value, higher pre-treatment APTw-10%, APTw-90%, minimum, maximum, median, mean, range, and root mean square (RMS) of the primary tumor compared to non-pCR patients (all p < 0.05). APTw-10%, APTw-90%, maximum, mean, median, minimum, range, and RMS showed negative correlations with the tumor regression grade (TRG) category (r ranged between -0.457 and -0.173; all p < 0.005). Skewness, kurtosis, and entropy exhibited positive correlations with the TRG category (r = 0.278, 0.319, and 0.324, respectively; all p < 0.05). The combined model had a higher AUC of 0.930, with 93.9% sensitivity and 83.9% specificity.

Conclusion: Histogram analysis of pre-treatment APTw may hold promise as a novel approach for predicting the response of LARC patients to nCRT.

Key points: Question Predicting response to nCRT is crucial for early stratified management of LARC patients; however, current radiological studies remain inconclusive. Finding LARC patients with pCR is correlated with higher pre-treatment APTw intensity-related and lower shape-related histogram features. Clinical relevance The APTw-histogram model and the APTw-clinical combined model demonstrated strong diagnostic efficacy and clinical practicality in predicting LARC patients' responsiveness to nCRT, offering new insights for early clinical decision-making.