Mapping tumor hypoxia in vivo using pattern recognition of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI data Journal Article


Authors: Stoyanova, R.; Huang, K.; Sandler, K.; Cho, H.; Carlin, S.; Zanzonico, P. B.; Koutcher, J. A.; Ackerstaff, E.
Article Title: Mapping tumor hypoxia in vivo using pattern recognition of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI data
Abstract: In solid tumors, hypoxia contributes significantly to radiation and chemotherapy resistance and to poor outcomes. The "gold standard" pO2 electrode measurements of hypoxia in vivo are unsatisfactory because they are invasive and have limited spatial coverage. Here, we present an approach to identify areas of tumor hypoxia using the signal versus time curves of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) data as a surrogate marker of hypoxia. We apply an unsupervised pattern recognition (PR) technique to determine the differential signal versus time curves associated with different tumor microenvironmental characteristics in DCE-MRI data of a preclinical cancer model. Well-perfused tumor areas are identified by rapid contrast uptake followed by rapid washout; hypoxic areas, which are regions of reduced vascularization, are identified by delayed contrast signal buildup and washout; and necrotic areas exhibit slow or no contrast uptake and no discernible washout over the experimental observation. The strength of the PR concept is that it captures the pixel-enhancing behavior in its entirety- during both contrast agent uptake and washout-and thus, subtleties in the temporal behavior of contrast enhancement related to features of the tumor microenvironment (driven by vascular changes) may be detected. The assignment of the tumor compartments/microenvironment to well vascularized, hypoxic, and necrotic is validated by comparison to data previously obtained using complementary imaging modalities. The proposed novel analysis approach has the advantage that it can be readily translated to the clinic, as DCE-MRI is used routinely for the identification of tumors in patients, is widely available, and easily implemented on any clinical magnet. © 2012 Neoplasia Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: nonhuman; disease marker; gadolinium; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; positron emission tomography; animal tissue; in vivo study; hypoxia; rat; tumor vascularization; tumor hypoxia; tumor microenvironment; tumor necrosis; pentetic acid
Journal Title: Translational Oncology
Volume: 5
Issue: 6
ISSN: 1936-5233
Publisher: Elsevier Science, Inc.  
Date Published: 2012-12-01
Start Page: 437
End Page: 447
Language: English
DOI: 10.1593/tlo.12319
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC3546126
PUBMED: 23326621
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 1 February 2013" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Hyung Joon Cho
    8 Cho
  2. Pat B Zanzonico
    355 Zanzonico
  3. Jason A Koutcher
    278 Koutcher
  4. Sean Denis Carlin
    83 Carlin