Radiogenomics-based cancer prognosis in colorectal cancer

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 5;9(1):9743. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-46286-6.

Abstract

Radiogenomics aims at investigating the relationship between imaging radiomic features and gene expression alterations. This study addressed the potential prognostic complementary value of contrast enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) radiomic features and gene expression data in primary colorectal cancers (CRC). Sixty-four patients underwent CT scans and radiomic features were extracted from the delineated tumor volume. Gene expression analysis of a small set of genes, previously identified as relevant for CRC, was conducted on surgical samples from the same tumors. The relationships between radiomic and gene expression data was assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Multiple testing was not performed, as this was a pilot study. Cox regression was used to identify variables related to overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). ABCC2 gene expression was correlated with N (p = 0.016) and M stages (p = 0.022). Expression changes of ABCC2, CD166, CDKNV1 and INHBB genes exhibited significant correlations with some radiomic features. OS was associated with Ratio 3D Surface/volume (p = 0.022) and ALDH1A1 expression (p = 0.042), whereas clinical stage (p = 0.004), ABCC2 expression (p = 0.035), and EntropyGLCM_E (p = 0.0031), were prognostic factors for PFS. Combining CE-CT radiomics with gene expression analysis and histopathological examination of primary CRC could provide higher prognostic stratification power, leading to improved patient management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / genetics*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Contrast Media
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / genetics*
  • Female
  • Fetal Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Inhibin-beta Subunits / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 2
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prognosis
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Tumor Burden

Substances

  • ABCC2 protein, human
  • ALCAM protein, human
  • Antigens, CD
  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Contrast Media
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Fetal Proteins
  • INHBB protein, human
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 2
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins
  • Inhibin-beta Subunits