Intrinsic imaging phenotypes ID breast cancer recurrence

(HealthDay)—Computer-extracted morphologic, kinetic, and tumor heterogeneity dynamic contrast material-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features can help predict the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence, according to a study published in the August issue of Radiology.

Ahmed Bilal Ashraf, Ph.D., from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, and colleagues retrospectively analyzed DCE MR images of the breast in 56 women (mean age, 55.6 years) diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer between 2005 and 2010. A gene expression assay was used to score the likelihood of recurrence of primary tumors. For each tumor, a multiparametric imaging phenotype vector was extracted using quantitative morphologic, kinetic, and spatial heterogeneity features.

The researchers observed a moderate correlation (P < 0.001) between DCE MR imaging features and the recurrence score. Recurrence risk was predicted by DCE MR imaging features as determined by the surrogate assay, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77 (P < 0.01). Four dominant imaging phenotypes were detected; two included only low- and medium-risk tumors. The area under the curve increased to 0.82 (P < 0.01) when the phenotype category was used as an additional variable.

"These imaging biomarkers could ultimately help guide treatment decisions," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to Hologic.