1
|
Hoffmann E, Masthoff M, Kunz WG, Seidensticker M, Bobe S, Gerwing M, Berdel WE, Schliemann C, Faber C, Wildgruber M. Multiparametric MRI for characterization of the tumour microenvironment. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:428-448. [PMID: 38641651 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00891-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Our understanding of tumour biology has evolved over the past decades and cancer is now viewed as a complex ecosystem with interactions between various cellular and non-cellular components within the tumour microenvironment (TME) at multiple scales. However, morphological imaging remains the mainstay of tumour staging and assessment of response to therapy, and the characterization of the TME with non-invasive imaging has not yet entered routine clinical practice. By combining multiple MRI sequences, each providing different but complementary information about the TME, multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) enables non-invasive assessment of molecular and cellular features within the TME, including their spatial and temporal heterogeneity. With an increasing number of advanced MRI techniques bridging the gap between preclinical and clinical applications, mpMRI could ultimately guide the selection of treatment approaches, precisely tailored to each individual patient, tumour and therapeutic modality. In this Review, we describe the evolving role of mpMRI in the non-invasive characterization of the TME, outline its applications for cancer detection, staging and assessment of response to therapy, and discuss considerations and challenges for its use in future medical applications, including personalized integrated diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Hoffmann
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Max Masthoff
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang G Kunz
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Max Seidensticker
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Bobe
- Gerhard Domagk Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mirjam Gerwing
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | | | - Cornelius Faber
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Moritz Wildgruber
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li X, Lin Z, Liu C, Bai R, Wu D, Yang J. Glymphatic Imaging in Pediatrics. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 59:1523-1541. [PMID: 37819198 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The glymphatic system, which facilitates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow through the brain parenchyma, is important for brain development and waste clearance. Advances in imaging techniques, particularly magnetic resonance imaging, have make it possible to evaluate glymphatic structures and functions in vivo. Recently, several studies have focused on the development and alterations of the glymphatic system in pediatric disorders. This review discusses the development of the glymphatic system, advances of imaging techniques and their applications in pediatric disorders. First, the results of the reviewed studies indicate that the development of the glymphatic system is a long-lasting process that continues into adulthood. Second, there is a need for improved glymphatic imaging techniques that are non-invasive and fast to improve suitability for pediatric applications, as some of existing methods use contrast injection and are susceptible to motion artifacts from long scanning times. Several novel techniques are potentially feasible for pediatric patients and may be used in the future. Third, the glymphatic dysfunction is associated with a large number of pediatric disorders, although only a few have recently been investigated. In conclusion, research on the pediatric glymphatic system remains an emerging field. The preliminary applications of glymphatic imaging techniques have provided unique insight into the pathological mechanism of pediatric diseases, but mainly limited in visualization of enlarged perivascular spaces and morphological measurements on CSF volumes. More in-depth studies on glymphatic functions are required to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying brain development and pediatric diseases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianjun Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zixuan Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Congcong Liu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ruiliang Bai
- Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Computational Imaging and Medical Intelligence, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jiang X, McKinley ET, Xie J, Gore JC, Xu J. Detection of Treatment Response in Triple-Negative Breast Tumors to Paclitaxel Using MRI Cell Size Imaging. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 59:575-584. [PMID: 37218596 PMCID: PMC10665540 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer treatment response evaluation using the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) guidelines, based on tumor volume changes, has limitations, prompting interest in novel imaging markers for accurate therapeutic effect determination. PURPOSE To use MRI-measured cell size as a new imaging biomarker for assessing chemotherapy response in breast cancer. STUDY TYPE Longitudinal; animal model. STUDY POPULATION Triple-negative human breast cancer cell (MDA-MB-231) pellets (4 groups, n = 7) treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or 10 nM of paclitaxel for 24, 48, and 96 hours, and 29 mice with MDA-MB-231 tumors in right hind limbs treated with paclitaxel (n = 16) or DMSO (n = 13) twice weekly for 3 weeks. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE Oscillating gradient spin echo and pulsed gradient spin echo sequences at 4.7 T. ASSESSMENT MDA-MB-231 cells were analyzed using flowcytometry and light microscopy to assess cell cycle phases and cell size distribution. MDA-MB-231 cell pellets were MR imaged. Mice were imaged weekly, with 9, 6, and 14 being sacrificed for histology after MRI at weeks 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Microstructural parameters of tumors/cell pellets were derived by fitting diffusion MRI data to a biophysical model. STATISTICAL TESTS One-way ANOVA compared cell sizes and MR-derived parameters between treated and control samples. Repeated measures 2-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-tests compared temporal changes in MR-derived parameters. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS In vitro experiments showed that the mean MR-derived cell sizes of paclitaxel-treated cells increased significantly with a 24-hours treatment and decreased (P = 0.06) with a 96-hour treatment. For in vivo xenograft experiments, the paclitaxel-treated tumors showed significant decreases in cell size at later weeks. MRI observations were supported by flowcytometry, light microscopy, and histology. DATA CONCLUSIONS MR-derived cell size may characterize the cell shrinkage during treatment-induced apoptosis, and may potentially provide new insights into the assessment of therapeutic response. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Jiang
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Eliot T. McKinley
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jingping Xie
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - John C. Gore
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Junzhong Xu
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chakwizira A, Zhu A, Foo T, Westin CF, Szczepankiewicz F, Nilsson M. Diffusion MRI with free gradient waveforms on a high-performance gradient system: Probing restriction and exchange in the human brain. Neuroimage 2023; 283:120409. [PMID: 37839729 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The dependence of the diffusion MRI signal on the diffusion time carries signatures of restricted diffusion and exchange. Here we seek to highlight these signatures in the human brain by performing experiments using free gradient waveforms designed to be selectively sensitive to the two effects. We examine six healthy volunteers using both strong and ultra-strong gradients (80, 200 and 300 mT/m). In an experiment featuring a large set of 150 gradient waveforms with different sensitivities to restricted diffusion and exchange, our results reveal unique and different time-dependence signatures in grey and white matter. Grey matter was characterised by both restricted diffusion and exchange and white matter predominantly by restricted diffusion. Exchange in grey matter was at least twice as fast as in white matter, across all subjects and all gradient strengths. The cerebellar cortex featured relatively short exchange times (115 ms). Furthermore, we show that gradient waveforms with tailored designs can be used to map exchange in the human brain. We also assessed the feasibility of clinical applications of the method used in this work and found that the exchange-related contrast obtained with a 25-minute protocol at 300 mT/m was preserved in a 4-minute protocol at 300 mT/m and a 10-minute protocol at 80 mT/m. Our work underlines the utility of free waveforms for detecting time dependence signatures due to restricted diffusion and exchange in vivo, which may potentially serve as a tool for studying diseased tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Chakwizira
- Department of Medical Radiation Physics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Ante Zhu
- GE Research, Niskayuna, New York, United States
| | - Thomas Foo
- GE Research, Niskayuna, New York, United States
| | - Carl-Fredrik Westin
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Filip Szczepankiewicz
- Department of Medical Radiation Physics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Markus Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Radiology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Radiology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fokkinga E, Hernandez-Tamames JA, Ianus A, Nilsson M, Tax CMW, Perez-Lopez R, Grussu F. Advanced Diffusion-Weighted MRI for Cancer Microstructure Assessment in Body Imaging, and Its Relationship With Histology. J Magn Reson Imaging 2023. [PMID: 38032021 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) aims to disentangle multiple biological signal sources in each imaging voxel, enabling the computation of innovative maps of tissue microstructure. DW-MRI model development has been dominated by brain applications. More recently, advanced methods with high fidelity to histology are gaining momentum in other contexts, for example, in oncological applications of body imaging, where new biomarkers are urgently needed. The objective of this article is to review the state-of-the-art of DW-MRI in body imaging (ie, not including the nervous system) in oncology, and to analyze its value as compared to reference colocalized histology measurements, given that demonstrating the histological validity of any new DW-MRI method is essential. In this article, we review the current landscape of DW-MRI techniques that extend standard apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), describing their acquisition protocols, signal models, fitting settings, microstructural parameters, and relationship with histology. Preclinical, clinical, and in/ex vivo studies were included. The most used techniques were intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM; 36.3% of used techniques), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI; 16.7%), vascular, extracellular, and restricted diffusion for cytometry in tumors (VERDICT; 13.3%), and imaging microstructural parameters using limited spectrally edited diffusion (IMPULSED; 11.7%). Another notable category of techniques relates to innovative b-tensor diffusion encoding or joint diffusion-relaxometry. The reviewed approaches provide histologically meaningful indices of cancer microstructure (eg, vascularization/cellularity) which, while not necessarily accurate numerically, may still provide useful sensitivity to microscopic pathological processes. Future work of the community should focus on improving the inter-/intra-scanner robustness, and on assessing histological validity in broader contexts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ella Fokkinga
- Biomedical Engineering, Track Medical Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
- Radiomics Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan A Hernandez-Tamames
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Andrada Ianus
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Markus Nilsson
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Chantal M W Tax
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Center (CUBRIC), School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Raquel Perez-Lopez
- Radiomics Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesco Grussu
- Radiomics Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chakwizira A, Zhu A, Foo T, Westin CF, Szczepankiewicz F, Nilsson M. Diffusion MRI with free gradient waveforms on a high-performance gradient system: Probing restriction and exchange in the human brain. ARXIV 2023:arXiv:2304.02764v1. [PMID: 37064535 PMCID: PMC10104199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
The dependence of the diffusion MRI signal on the diffusion time carries signatures of restricted diffusion and exchange. Here we seek to highlight these signatures in the human brain by performing experiments using free gradient waveforms that are selectively sensitive to the two effects. We examine six healthy volunteers using both strong and ultra-strong gradients (80, 200 and 300 mT/m). In an experiment featuring a large set of gradient waveforms with different sensitivities to restricted diffusion and exchange (150 samples), our results reveal unique time-dependence signatures in grey and white matter, where the former is characterised by both restricted diffusion and exchange and the latter predominantly exhibits restricted diffusion. Furthermore, we show that gradient waveforms with independently varying sensitivities to restricted diffusion and exchange can be used to map exchange in the human brain. We consistently find that exchange in grey matter is at least twice as fast as in white matter, across all subjects and all gradient strengths. The shortest exchange times observed in this study were in the cerebellar cortex (115 ms). We also assess the feasibility of future clinical applications of the method used in this work, where we find that the grey-white matter exchange contrast obtained with a 25-minute 300 mT/m protocol is preserved by a 4-minute 300 mT/m and a 10-minute 80 mT/m protocol. Our work underlines the utility of free waveforms for detecting time-dependence signatures due to restricted diffusion and exchange in vivo, which may potentially serve as a tool for studying diseased tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Chakwizira
- Medical Radiation Physics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ante Zhu
- GE Research, Niskayuna, New York, USA
| | | | - Carl-Fredrik Westin
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Markus Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Radiology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hoffmann E, Gerwing M, Niland S, Niehoff R, Masthoff M, Geyer C, Wachsmuth L, Wilken E, Höltke C, Heindel WL, Hoerr V, Schinner R, Berger P, Vogl T, Eble JA, Maus B, Helfen A, Wildgruber M, Faber C. Profiling specific cell populations within the inflammatory tumor microenvironment by oscillating-gradient diffusion-weighted MRI. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006092. [PMID: 36918222 PMCID: PMC10016257 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME) is formed by various immune cells, being closely associated with tumorigenesis. Especially, the interaction between tumor-infiltrating T-cells and macrophages has a crucial impact on tumor progression and metastatic spread. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether oscillating-gradient diffusion-weighted MRI (OGSE-DWI) enables a cell size-based discrimination between different cell populations of the TME. METHODS Sine-shaped OGSE-DWI was combined with the Imaging Microstructural Parameters Using Limited Spectrally Edited Diffusion (IMPULSED) approach to measure microscale diffusion distances, here relating to cell sizes. The accuracy of IMPULSED-derived cell radii was evaluated using in vitro spheroid models, consisting of either pure cancer cells, macrophages, or T-cells. Subsequently, in vivo experiments aimed to assess changes within the TME and its specific immune cell composition in syngeneic murine breast cancer models with divergent degrees of malignancy (4T1, 67NR) during tumor progression, clodronate liposome-mediated depletion of macrophages, and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. Ex vivo analysis of IMPULSED-derived cell radii was conducted by immunohistochemical wheat germ agglutinin staining of cell membranes, while intratumoral immune cell composition was analyzed by CD3 and F4/80 co-staining. RESULTS OGSE-DWI detected mean cell radii of 8.8±1.3 µm for 4T1, 8.2±1.4 µm for 67NR, 13.0±1.7 for macrophage, and 3.8±1.8 µm for T-cell spheroids. While T-cell infiltration during progression of 4T1 tumors was observed by decreasing mean cell radii from 9.7±1.0 to 5.0±1.5 µm, increasing amount of intratumoral macrophages during progression of 67NR tumors resulted in increasing mean cell radii from 8.9±1.2 to 12.5±1.1 µm. After macrophage depletion, mean cell radii decreased from 6.3±1.7 to 4.4±0.5 µm. T-cell infiltration after ICI treatment was captured by decreasing mean cell radii in both tumor models, with more pronounced effects in the 67NR tumor model. CONCLUSIONS OGSE-DWI provides a versatile tool for non-invasive profiling of the inflammatory TME by assessing the dominating cell type T-cells or macrophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Hoffmann
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mirjam Gerwing
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stephan Niland
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rolf Niehoff
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Max Masthoff
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Lydia Wachsmuth
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Enrica Wilken
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Carsten Höltke
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Verena Hoerr
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine II, Heart Center Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Regina Schinner
- Department of Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Berger
- Institute of Immunology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Vogl
- Institute of Immunology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Johannes A Eble
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Bastian Maus
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Anne Helfen
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Moritz Wildgruber
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Department of Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Cornelius Faber
- Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|