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

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

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

9 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1733-1744
Number of pages12
JournalEuropean Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Volume46
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 07 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Keywords

  • Diffusion-weighted MRI
  • F-FDG
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Inflammation
  • Radiation therapy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Diffusion-weighted MRI and 18F-FDG PET correlation with immunity in early radiotherapy response in BNL hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model: timeline validation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this