Investigation of breast cancer microstructure and microvasculature from time-dependent DWI and CEST in correlation with histological biomarkers

We investigated the associations of time-dependent DWI, non-Gaussian DWI, and CEST parameters with histological biomarkers in a breast cancer xenograft model. 22 xenograft mice (7 MCF-7 and 15 MDA-MB-231) were scanned at 4 diffusion times [T(d) = 2.5/5 ms with 11 b-values (0–600 s/mm(2)) and T(d) = 9/27.6 ms with 17 b-values (0–3000 s/mm(2)), respectively]. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was estimated using 2 b-values in different combinations (ADC(0–600) using b = 0 and 600 s/mm(2) and shifted ADC [sADC(200–1500)] using b = 200 and 1500 s/mm(2)) at each of those diffusion times. Then the change (Δ) in ADC/sADC between diffusion times was evaluated. Non-Gaussian diffusion and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters (ADC(0), the virtual ADC at b = 0; K, Kurtosis from non-Gaussian diffusion; f, the IVIM perfusion fraction) were estimated. CEST images were acquired and the amide proton transfer signal intensity (APT SI) were measured. The ΔsADC(9–27.6) (between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and ΔADC(2.5)_sADC(27.6) (between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ) was significantly larger for MCF-7 groups, and ΔADC(2.5)_sADC(27.6) was positively correlated with Ki67(max) and APT SI. ADC(0) decreased significantly in MDA-MB-231 group and K increased significantly with T(d) in MCF-7 group. APT SI and cellular area had a moderately strong positive correlation in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 tumors combined, and there was a positive correlation in MDA-MB-231 tumors. There was a significant negative correlation between APT SI and the Ki-67-positive ratio in MDA-MB-231 tumors and when combined with MCF-7 tumors. The associations of ΔADC(2.5)_sADC(27.6) and API SI with Ki-67 parameters indicate that the T(d)-dependent DW and CEST parameters are useful to predict the histological markers of breast cancers.