Evaluation of change in tumor stiffness measured by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging for early prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

• Published in: Journal of clinical ultrasound 2022-06, Vol.50 (5), p.666-674
• Main Authors: Mahadevan, Gowtham Sembagounden Valasu, Chakkalakkoombil, Sunitha Vellathussery, Kayal, Smita, Dharanipragada, Kadambari, Toi, Pampa Ch, Ananthakrishnan, Ramesh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acoustic measurement; acoustic radiation force impulse imaging; Biopsy; Breast cancer; Chemotherapy; Imaging; neoadjuvant chemotherapy; Radiation; Radiation measurement; response assessment; Sound waves; Statistical analysis; Stiffness; tumor stiffness; Tumors; Ultrasonic imaging; Wave velocity
• ISSN: 0091-2751; 1097-0096
• DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23201

Objectives In this study, the role of change in tumor stiffness between pre‐ and post‐two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) measured by Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging for predicting the response to NACT in breast cancer was analyzed. Methods Fifty‐two adult women with biopsy‐proven locally advanced breast cancer and early‐stage breast cancer who received NACT followed by either modified radical mastectomy or breast conservation surgery were included in the study. Tumor stiffness represented by shear wave velocity (SWV) in meter per second by ARFI imaging was measured before and after two cycles of NACT. Participants were categorized into responders and nonresponders based on pathological response assessment from the postoperative specimen. The association of change in tumor stiffness between pre‐ and post‐two cycles of NACT with final pathological response status was assessed. Results The mean change in SWV before and after completion of two cycles of NACT was 0.42 ± 0.16 and 0.17 ± 0.11 m/s in responders and nonresponders, respectively, and this difference was proven to be statistically significant (p