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Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 8/2019

01-07-2019 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Original Article

Diffusion-weighted MRI and 18F-FDG PET correlation with immunity in early radiotherapy response in BNL hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model: timeline validation

Authors: Yi-Hsiu Chung, Ching-Fang Yu, Shao-Chieh Chiu, Han Chiu, Shin-Ting Hsu, Ching-Rong Wu, Chung-Lin Yang, Ji-Hong Hong, Tzu-Chen Yen, Fang-Hsin Chen

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 8/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

Imaging probes/biomarkers that are correlated with molecular or microenvironmental alterations in tumors have been used not only in diagnosing cancer but also in assessing the efficacy of cancer treatment. We evaluated the early response of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to radiation treatment using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET).

Methods

Orthotopic HCC tumors were established in the right liver lobe of Balb/c mice. Mice were longitudinally scanned using T2-weighted/DW MRI and 18F-FDG PET 1 day before and on days 1, 3, 6, 9 and 13 after irradiation with 15 Gy to the right liver lobe to determine tumor size, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, and maximum standardized uptake value. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to validate the tumor microenvironment.

Results

Irradiation markedly retarded tumor growth in the orthotopic HCC model and led to increaes in ADC values as early as on day 1 after irradiation. Irradiation also resulted in increases in 18F-FDG uptake on day 1 that were sustained until the end of the observation period. IHC staining revealed a decrease in the number of proliferative cells and a continuous macrophage influx into irradiated tumors, which dramatically altered the tumor microenvironment. Lastly, in vitro coculture of HCC cells and macrophages led to interaction between the cells and enhanced the cellular uptake of 18F-FDG.

Conclusion

ADC values and 18F-FDG uptake measured using DW MRI and 18F-FDG PET serve as potential biomarkers for early assessment of HCC tumor responses to radiation therapy.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Diffusion-weighted MRI and 18F-FDG PET correlation with immunity in early radiotherapy response in BNL hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model: timeline validation
Authors
Yi-Hsiu Chung
Ching-Fang Yu
Shao-Chieh Chiu
Han Chiu
Shin-Ting Hsu
Ching-Rong Wu
Chung-Lin Yang
Ji-Hong Hong
Tzu-Chen Yen
Fang-Hsin Chen
Publication date
01-07-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 8/2019
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-019-04318-3

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