Initial experience of correlating diffusion spectral parameters with histopathologic indexes in murine colorectal tumor homografts

PURPOSE: To determine the correlation between continuously distributed diffusion-weighted image (DWI)-derived parameters and histopathologic indexes. METHODS: Fifty-four mice bearing HCT-116 colorectal tumors were included for analysis; 12 mice were used for continuous observation, and the other 42 mice were used for break-point observation. All mice were randomly divided into radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy groups. Optical imaging and MRI were performed at different time points according to radiotherapy regimen (baseline, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d). Continuous observation data were analyzed to show the difference of dynamic changing trends of optical and MR-DWI–derived parameters between radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy groups (photon numbers, D_max, full width half maximum [FWHM], and apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC] value). Break-point observation data were used to analyze the correlation between histopathologic indices and DWI-derived parameters. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the changing trends of photon numbers, D_max, FWHM, and ADC value between radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy groups, especially at early time points. There was moderate negative correlation between Ki67 and percentage changes of D_max, FWHM, and ADC values (the correlation coefficients were 0.632, 0.449, and 0.586, P<0.001, P=0.008, and P<0.001, respectively). There was moderate negative correlation between survivin and percentage changes of D_max and ADC values (correlation coefficients were 0.496 and 0.473, P=0.004 and P=0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: The continuously distributed DWI-derived parameters could reflect histological behavior to some extent and, thus, are potential markers for early noninvasive monitoring of tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation.