Tumor therapeutic response and vessel tortuosity: preliminary report in metastatic breast cancer.
No current non-invasive method is capable of assessing the efficacy of brain tumor therapy early during treatment. We outline an approach that evaluates tumor activity via statistical analysis of vessel shape using vessels segmented from MRA. This report is the first to describe the changes in vessel shape that occur during treatment of metastatic brain tumors as assessed by sequential MRA. In this preliminary study of 16 patients undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer we conclude that vessel shape may predict tumor response several months in advance of traditional methods.
Bullitt
Elizabeth
E
CASILab, CB # 7062, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. bullitt@med.unc.edu
Lin
Nancy U
NU
Ewend
Matthew G
MG
Zeng
Donglin
D
Winer
Eric P
EP
Carey
Lisa A
LA
Smith
J Keith
JK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium