Continuous-time random walk diffusion MRI facilitates assessment of Ki-67 expression in endometrial cancer: a comparative study with diffusion kurtosis imaging
摘要
This study aimed to evaluate the performance of continuous-time random walk (CTRW), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting the proliferative state of endometrial cancer (EC).
MethodsA cohort of 81 EC patients was recruited. The parameters obtained from CTRW (α, β, and Dm), DKI (Dapp, Kapp), and DWI (ADC) were computed and compared between the high- and low-proliferation groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors and perform a combined diagnosis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), DeLong analysis, and calibration curves were used to assess the diagnostic performance.
ResultsKapp was higher and α, β, Dm, Dapp, and ADC were lower in the high-proliferation group than in the low-proliferation group (P < 0.05 for all). α, Kapp, and Dapp were identified as independent predictors of Ki-67 status in EC. The combined use of these predictors achieved optimal diagnostic efficacy (AUC = 0.949). The diagnostic performance of this combined approach was significantly superior to that of individual modalities such as DKI (Dapp + Kapp) and DWI (ADC) and individual parameters such as α, β, Dm, Dapp, and Kapp. However, no significant difference was observed between the results of the combined approach and those obtained from CTRW (α + β + Dm, AUC = 0.908, P = 0.165). The calibration curve showed that the combined approach offered good stability.
ConclusionThe combination of CTRW-derived parameter α, DKI-derived parameter Kapp, and parameter Dapp may be a promising set of biomarkers for assessing Ki-67 status in EC patients, providing a new reference for related clinical diagnosis and treatment.