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Histogram Analysis Parameters Derived from Conventional T1- and T2-Weighted Images Can Predict Different Histopathological Features Including Expression of Ki67, EGFR, VEGF, HIF-1α, and p53 and Cell Count in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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Abstract

Purpose

To analyze associations between histogram analysis parameters derived from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and different histopathological features in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Procedures

Thirty-four patients with histologically proven primary HNSCC were prospectively acquired. Histogram analysis was derived from pre-contrast T1-weighted (T1w) and T2-weighted (T2w) images. In all cases, expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, EGFR, p53, Ki67, and p16 as well as tumor cell count was analyzed.

Results

In the overall sample, inverse correlation between entropy derived from T1w images and p53 expression (p = − 0.458, P = 0.01) was found. Furthermore, p10 derived from T1w images correlated with VEGF expression (p = 0.371, P = 0.04). In the p16-positive tumors, VEGF expression correlated with several parameters derived from T1w images: mean (p = 0.481, P = 0.032), p10 (p = 0.489, P = 0.029), p25 (p = 0.475, P = 0.034), median (p = 0.468, P = 0.037), and mode (p = 0.492, P = 0.028). Several T2w parameters were associated with p53 expression: mean (p = 0.569, P = 0.007), p25 (p = 0.508, P = 0.019), p75 (p = 0.479, P = 0.028), median (p = 0.555, P = 0.009), and mode (p = 0.468, P = 0.033). Kurtosis derived from T2w images correlated with cell count (p = 0.534, P = 0.013). In p16-negative carcinomas, T2w parameters correlated with p53 expression: max (p = 0.736, P = 0.015), p90 (p = 0.687, P = 0.028), and standard deviation (p = 0.760, P = 0.011). T2w p10 (p = − 0.709, P = 0.022) and T2w p25 (p = − 0.733, P = 0.016) correlated also with HIF-1α expression.

Conclusions

Multiple associations between histogram parameters derived from T1w and T2w images and clinically relevant histopathological features were found in HNSCC. Therefore, imaging parameters can be also used as surrogate markers for tumor cellularity, proliferation, and vascularization in HNSCC. The identified correlations differed significantly between p16-positive and p16-negative cancers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Hans Jonas Meyer, Leonard Leifels, Gordian Hamerla & Alexey Surov

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 26, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Anne Kathrin Höhn

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  1. Hans Jonas Meyer
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  2. Leonard Leifels
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  3. Gordian Hamerla
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  4. Anne Kathrin Höhn
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  5. Alexey Surov
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Contributions

Conception and design: H.J. Meyer, A. Surov

Development of methodology: H.J. Meyer, L. Leifels, A.K. Höhn, A. Surov

Acquisition of data (provided animals, acquired and managed patients, provided facilities, etc.): H.J. Meyer, L. Leifels, G. Hamerla, A.K. Höhn, A. Surov

Analysis and interpretation of data (e.g., statistical analysis, biostatistics, computational analysis): H.J. Meyer, L. Leifels, G. Hamerla, A.K. Höhn

Writing, review, and/or revision of the manuscript: H.J. Meyer, A. Surov

Administrative, technical, or material support (i.e., reporting or organizing data, constructing databases): G. Hamerla, A.K. Höhn

Study supervision: A. Surov

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hans Jonas Meyer.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

This study adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki II and was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Leipzig (ethics committee of the University of Leipzig, study codes 180-2007, 201-10-12072010, and 341-15-05102015). Written informed consent was obtained from all the study participants.

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Meyer, H.J., Leifels, L., Hamerla, G. et al. Histogram Analysis Parameters Derived from Conventional T1- and T2-Weighted Images Can Predict Different Histopathological Features Including Expression of Ki67, EGFR, VEGF, HIF-1α, and p53 and Cell Count in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Mol Imaging Biol 21, 740–746 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-018-1283-y

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