Association analysis between quantitative MRI features and hypoxia-related genetic profiles in prostate cancer: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) imaging features and hypoxia-related genetic profiles in prostate cancer.

METHODS

mpMRI was acquired from six patients prior to radical prostatectomy. Sequences included weighted (TW) imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast enhanced MRI and blood oxygen-level dependent imaging. Imaging data were co-registered with histology using three-dimensional deformable registration methods. Texture features were extracted from W images and parametric maps from functional MRI. Full transcriptome genetic profiles were obtained using next generation sequencing from the prostate specimens. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between mpMRI data and hypoxia-related gene expression levels. Results were validated using glucose transporter one immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTS

Correlation analysis identified 34 candidate imaging features (six from the mpMRI data and 28 from W texture features). The IHC validation showed that 16 out of the 28 W texture features achieved weak but significant correlations ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Weak associations between mpMRI features and hypoxia gene expressions were found. This indicates the potential use of MRI in assessing hypoxia status in prostate cancer. Further validation is required due to the low correlation levels.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This is a pilot study using radiogenomics approaches to address hypoxia within the prostate, which provides an opportunity for hypoxia-guided selective treatment techniques.