Multiparametric MRI Features Predict the SYP Gene Expression in Low-Grade Glioma Patients: A Machine Learning-Based Radiomics Analysis

PURPOSE: Synaptophysin (SYP) gene expression levels correlate with the survival rate of glioma patients. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of applying a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics model composed of a convolutional neural network to predict the SYP gene expression in patients with glioma. METHOD: Using the TCGA database, we examined 614 patients diagnosed with glioma. First, the relationship between the SYP gene expression level and outcome of survival rate was investigated using partial correlation analysis. Then, 7266 patches were extracted from each of the 108 low-grade glioma patients who had available multiparametric MRI scans, which included preoperative T1-weighted images (T1WI), T2-weighted images (T2WI), and contrast-enhanced T1WI images in the TCIA database. Finally, a radiomics features-based model was built using a convolutional neural network (ConvNet), which can perform autonomous learning classification using a ROC curve, accuracy, recall rate, sensitivity, and specificity as evaluation indicators. RESULTS: The expression level of SYP decreased with the increase in the tumor grade. With regard to grade II, grade III, and general patients, those with higher SYP expression levels had better survival rates. However, the SYP expression level did not show any significant association with the outcome in Level IV patients. CONCLUSION: Our multiparametric MRI radiomics model constructed using ConvNet showed good performance in predicting the SYP gene expression level and prognosis in low-grade glioma patients.