Correlation of diffusion MRI with the Ki-67 index in non-small cell lung cancer

• Published in: Radiology and oncology 2015-09, Vol.49 (3), p.250-255
• Main Authors: Karaman, Adem, Durur-Subasi, Irmak, Alper, Fatih, Araz, Omer, Subasi, Mahmut, Demirci, Elif, Albayrak, Mevlut, Polat, Gökhan, Akgun, Metin, Karabulut, Nevzat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adenocarcinoma; apparent diffusion coefficient; Correlation analysis; Diffusion; diffusion weighted-magnetic resonance imaging; Ki-67 index; Lung cancer; Medical imaging; squamous cell carcinoma
• ISSN: 1318-2099; 1581-3207; 1581-3207; 0485-893X
• DOI: 10.1515/raon-2015-0032

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the association between the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC ) and Ki-67, an index for cellular proliferation, in non-small cell lung cancers. Also, we aimed to assess whether ADC values differ between tumour subtypes and tissue sampling method. The patients who had diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) were enrolled retrospectively. The correlation between ADC and the Ki-67 index was evaluated. Ninety three patients, with a mean age 65 ± 11 years, with histopathologically proven adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs and had technically successful DW-MRI were included in the study. The numbers of tumour subtypes were 47 for adenocarcinoma and 46 for squamous cell carcinoma. There was a good negative correlation between ADC values and the Ki-67 proliferation index (r = −0.837, p < 0.001). The mean ADCmin value was higher and the mean Ki-67 index was lower in adenocarcinomas compared to squamous cell carcinoma (p < 0.0001). There was no statistical difference between tissue sampling methods. Because ADC shows a good but negative correlation with Ki-67 index, it provides an opportunity to evaluate tumours and their aggressiveness and may be helpful in the differentiation of subtypes non-invasively.