Characterizing Errors in Pharmacokinetic Parameters from Analyzing Quantitative Abbreviated DCE-MRI Data in Breast Cancer

Abstract

This study characterizes the error that results when performing quantitative analysis of abbreviated dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) data of the breast with the Standard Kety–Tofts (SKT) model and its Patlak variant. More specifically, we used simulations and patient data to determine the accuracy with which abbreviated time course data could reproduce the pharmacokinetic parameters, Ktrans (volume transfer constant) and ve (extravascular/extracellular volume fraction), when compared to the full time course data. SKT analysis of simulated abbreviated time courses (ATCs) based on the imaging parameters from two available datasets (collected with a 3T MRI scanner) at a temporal resolution of 15 s (N = 15) and 7.23 s (N = 15) found a concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) greater than 0.80 for ATCs of length 3.0 and 2.5 min, respectively, for the Ktrans parameter. Analysis of the experimental data found that at least 90% of patients met this CCC cut-off of 0.80 for the ATCs of the aforementioned lengths. Patlak analysis of experimental data found that 80% of patients from the 15 s resolution dataset and 90% of patients from the 7.27 s resolution dataset met the 0.80 CCC cut-off for ATC lengths of 1.25 and 1.09 min, respectively. This study provides evidence for both the feasibility and potential utility of performing a quantitative analysis of abbreviated breast DCE-MRI in conjunction with acquisition of current standard-of-care high resolution scans without significant loss of information in the community setting.

Repeatability of tumor perfusion kinetics from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in glioblastoma

“…Temporal under-sampling known to poorly affect the accuracy of K trans estimation, 8 and fit accuracy is decreased with few dynamic acquisitions. 36 As K trans measurement is highly sensitive to sampling rate and the ability to capture the peak of the VIF, 36 we recommend that studies aimed at measuring K trans accurately and repeatably, do so in accordance with the QIBA recommendations.…”

“… 9 Temporal under-sampling and limited dynamic acquisitions are known to poorly affect the accuracy of K trans estimation. 8 , 36 DCE imaging quality is critical for advancing tumor assessment methods in clinical trials designed to use DCE parameters (such as K trans ) as end points. The recently published ACRIN 6686 trial showed rCBV, but not K trans , to be a sensitive biomarker of early biological changes following bevacizumab treatment in newly diagnosed GBM.…”

Analysis of simplicial complexes to determine when to sample for quantitative DCE MRI of the breast

“…Changes in quantitative perfusion assessments-such as measures of contrast agent kinetics-can characterize tumor physiology. [8][9][10] These have been demonstrated in the community setting [11][12][13] and have been shown to provide additional specificity for both diagnostic [14][15][16][17][18] and prognostic application. 19,20 The challenge in adding quantitative DCE MRI to a SOC exam is that it requires imaging with temporal resolution that is about 10 times faster than SOC scans, during the same 5-7-min postcontrast injection window (Figure 1).…”

“…Changes in quantitative perfusion assessments—such as measures of contrast agent kinetics—can characterize tumor physiology 8–10 . These have been demonstrated in the community setting 11–13 and have been shown to provide additional specificity for both diagnostic 14–18 and prognostic application 19,20 …”