title: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers in head and neck cancer: potential to guide treatment? A systematic review.
abstract: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) generates microvascular parameters from the tracer kinetic analysis of a series of MRI images obtained in under 15 min. DCE-MRI parameters are associated with tumour hypoxia, which is well-established as a cause of treatment failure in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A systematic review was conducted of prospective DCE-MRI parameter studies in HNSCC in the English language literature. Exclusion criteria were case reports and retrospective series. Six DCE-MRI marker studies in HNSCC met the inclusion criteria. Four studies contained 21-74 patients and two studies recruited 13 and 14 patients. In studies measuring the transfer coefficient (K(trans)), higher overall K(trans) or lower skewness of K(trans) were predictive of a good outcome following chemoradiation. DCE-MRI parameters have the potential to guide treatment in HNSCC. Progress in the field requires standardisation of methods, data sharing and large multi-centre collaborative validation studies.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK; (b)Translational Radiobiology Group, Institute of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. Electronic address: jonathan.bernstein@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.affiliation: University Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK. Electronic address: jarrod.homer@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jarrod J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Homer
authors.affiliation: Translational Radiobiology Group, Institute of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. Electronic address: catharine.west@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Catharine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Biomarker; Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI); Head and neck cancer; Hypoxia; Perfusion imaging