The Role of Multimodal Imaging in Pathological Response Prediction of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients Treated by Chemoradiation Therapy Followed by Radical Surgery

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, the availability of imaging techniques for accurately defining the residual tumor would be clinically relevant for selecting patients who could be offered a more tailored surgery. The novelty of this prospective study is the development of multiparametric predictive models of histopathological response using a unique data set with three imaging modalities (transvaginal ultrasound, magnetic resonance (MRI) and (18)F-FDG-PET/CT) evaluated at three time points (“baseline”, two (“early”) and five (“final”) weeks after treatment). In a cohort of 88 patients, the predictive models retrieved integrating morphometric, vascular, perfusion and metabolic parameters, demonstrated that two imaging approaches (MRI and PET/CT at “final” evaluation or PET/CT at “baseline” and “final” evaluation) are sufficient to identify possible residual disease after chemotherapy. These findings could be useful in selecting patients with residual disease, helping clinicians to tailor the radicality of the surgical approach. ABSTRACT: Purpose: This study aimed to develop predictive models for pathological residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) by integrating parameters derived from transvaginal ultrasound, MRI and PET/CT imaging at different time points and time intervals. Methods: Patients with histologically proven LACC, stage IB2–IVA, were prospectively enrolled. For each patient, the three examinations were performed before, 2 and 5 weeks after treatment (“baseline”, “early” and “final”, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression models to predict complete vs. partial pathological response (pR) were developed and a cost analysis was performed. Results: Between October 2010 and June 2014, 88 patients were included. Complete or partial pR was found in 45.5% and 54.5% of patients, respectively. The two most clinically useful models in pR prediction were (1) using percentage variation of SUV(max) retrieved at PET/CT “baseline” and “final” examination, and (2) including high DWI signal intensity (SI) plus, ADC, and SUV(max) collected at “final” evaluation (area under the curve (95% Confidence Interval): 0.80 (0.71–0.90) and 0.81 (0.72–0.90), respectively). Conclusion: The percentage variation in SUV(max) in the time interval before and after completing neoadjuvant CRT, as well as DWI SI plus ADC and SUV(max) obtained after completing neoadjuvant CRT, could be used to predict residual cervical cancer in LACC patients. From a cost point of view, the use of MRI and PET/CT is preferable.