A Correlative Study Between IVIM-DWI Parameters and the Expression Levels of Ang-2 and TKT in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

• Main Authors: Jing Zheng, Xue Qin Gong, Yun Yun Tao, Ran Wang, Gang Yang, Jing Dong Li, Tian Ren, Zu Mao Li, Cui Yang, Wei Cheng Wang, Lin Yang, Xiao Ming Zhang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-01-01
• Series: Frontiers in Oncology
• Subjects: hepatocellular carcinoma; intravoxel incoherent motion; diffusion-weighted imaging; angiopoietin-2; transketolase
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.594366/full

BackgroundNoninvasive evaluation of the expression of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and transketolase (TKT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is of great significance for the clinical development of individualized treatment plans. However, the correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) and the expression of Ang-2 and TKT has not been reported. We sought to investigate the correlations between IVIM-DWI parameters and Ang-2 and TKT expression levels in HCCs.MethodsConventional non-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and IVIM-DWI and dynamic contrast MRI were performed for 61 patients with HCC before surgical treatment. Various IVIM-DWI parameters, such as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), slow apparent diffusion coefficient (D), fast apparent diffusion coefficient (D*) and fraction of fast apparent diffusion coefficient (f), were calculated using Function-MADC software. Expression levels of Ang-2 and TKT in HCC were detected via immunohistochemical staining and classified into two grades. Independent sample t tests were used to compare differences in parameters between the two groups. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlations between IVIM-DWI parameters and Ang-2 and TKT expression levels in HCCs.ResultsThe D* and f values were significantly higher in the high Ang-2 group than in the low Ang-2 group; there were no obvious between-group differences in ADC and D. Ang-2 expression was positively correlated with D* and f but not with ADC and D. The ADC and D values were significantly lower in the high TKT group than in the low TKT group, whereas the between-group differences for D* and f were not significant. TKT expression was negatively correlated with ADC and D but not with D* and f.ConclusionsIVIM-DWI can be used to evaluate Ang-2 and TKT expression in HCC.