Evaluation of tumor angiogenesis using dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: comparison of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor, hemodynamic, and pharmacokinetic parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether tumor angiogenesis of breast cancers can be predicted on the basis of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


METHODS
Seventy-one patients with 71 breast cancers underwent Gd-DTPA enhanced dynamic MRI. Two regions of interest measurements were obtained in the periphery and in the center of the breast cancers. Hemodynamic parameters obtained by dynamic MRI included peak time, contrast enhancement ratio (CE ratio), and washout ratio. The triexponential concentration curve of Gd-DTPA was fitted to a theoretical model based on compartmental analysis. The transfer constant (or permeability surface product per unit volume of compartment "k") was obtained using this method. Tumor angiogenesis was assessed by plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (P-VEGF).


RESULTS
The P-VEGF was positive in 28 of 71 tumors (39%). The CE ratio, washout ratio, and k in the periphery in P-VEGF positive breast cancers (mean 178%, 18%, and 1.5 x 10(-2) (s(-1)) were significantly greater (P<0.01, P<0.05, and P<0.03)) than those for P-VEGF negative breast cancers (mean: 151%, 14%, and 1.1 x 10(-2) (s(-1)). The peak time in the periphery in P-VEGF positive breast cancers was more marked than for P-VEGF negative breast cancers, but this difference was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The hemodynamic and pharmacokinetic analysis of MRI provides valuable information about angiogenesis of breast cancers.
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Honjo Kumamoto, Japan. osamu-3643ik@do9.enjoy.ne.jp
O
O
Ikeda
R
R
Nishimura
H
H
Miyayama
T
T
Yasunaga
Y
Y
Ozaki
A
A
Tuji
Y
Y
Yamashita
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000098:blood supply; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000098:blood supply*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010539:Permeability; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
D003287:Contrast Media; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA