Decline of Tumor Vascular Function as Assessed by Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Is Associated With Poor Responses to Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy.
To investigate whether changes in the volume transfer coefficient (K(trans)) in a growing tumor could be used as a surrogate marker for predicting tumor responses to radiation therapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT).



Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) was consecutively performed on tumor-bearing mice, and temporal and spatial changes of K(trans) values were measured along with tumor growth. Tumor responses to RT and CT were studied before and after observed changes in K(trans) values with time.



Dynamic changes with an initial increase and subsequent decline in K(trans) values were found to be associated with tumor growth. When each tumor was divided into core and peripheral regions, the K(trans) decline was greater in core, although neither vascular structure or necrosis could be linked to this spatial difference. Tumor responses to RT were worse if applied after the decline of K(trans), and there was less drug distribution and cell death in the tumor core after CT.



The K(trans) value in growing tumors, reflecting the changes of tumor microenvironment and vascular function, is strongly associated with tumor responses to RT and CT and could be a potential surrogate marker for predicting the tumor response to these treatments.
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Radiation Biology Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University/Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-LinKou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Fang-Hsin
FH
Chen
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Radiation Biology Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University/Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-LinKou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chun-Chieh
CC
Wang
Department of Imaging Physics, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
Ho-Ling
HL
Liu
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National TsingHua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Sheng-Yung
SY
Fu
Radiation Biology Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University/Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-LinKou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Ching-Fang
CF
Yu
Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academic Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
C
Chang
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National TsingHua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Chi-Shiun
CS
Chiang
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Radiation Biology Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University/Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-LinKou, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: jihong@adm.cgmh.org.tw.
Ji-Hong
JH
Hong
D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003287:Contrast Media