Dynamic contrast enhanced perfusion CT imaging: A diagnostic biomarker tool for survival prediction of tumour response to antiangiogenetic treatment in patients with advanced HCC lesions

摘要

PurposeTo investigate whether perfusion-CT (p-CT) imaging could depict the inhibition of tumor neoangiogenesis induced by Sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and whether it could be useful in predicting survival during treatment. Materials and methodsNinety-eight p-CT examinations were performed among 29 cirrhotic patients, with advanced HCC, before and every 2 months after Sorafenib administration, on a 256-slice MDCT scanner. Perfusion parameters were considered and statistically compared, at baseline and follow-up, between non-progressor (complete response, stable disease or partial response) and progressor (progressive disease) group. Kaplan-Meier analyses estimated the time-to-survival in overall population, after stratifying patients according to mRECIST. ResultsThe group that responded to Sorafenib showed a significant reduction of values in HCC target lesions after anti-angiogenic therapy (p?