Delta-volume radiomics of induction chemotherapy to predict outcome of subsequent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer

Introduction: Induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is recommended for larynx-preserving treatment of locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer (LAHC). However, the conventional evaluation of response is not robust enough to predict the outcome of subsequent treatments. This study aimed to develop an imaging biomarker using changes in radiomic features in invasive tumor front (ITF) by IC to predict treatment outcome of subsequent CCRT in LAHC. Methods: From 2006 to 2018, 59 computed tomography (CT) scan images before and after IC in patients with LAHC were used to contour the gross tumor volumes (GTVs). A total of 48 delta-volume radiomics features were acquired from the absolute spatial difference of GTVs (delta-GTV) before and after IC, conceptually representing a consistent portion of ITF. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) was used to select features for establishing the model generating radiomic score (R score). Results: A model including 5 radiomic features from delta-GTV to predict better progression-free survival (PFS) of patients receiving subsequent CCRT was established. The R score was validated with all datasets (area under the curve 0.77). Low R score (<-0.16) was associated with improved PFS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The established radiomic model for ITF from radiomic features of delta-GTV after IC might be a potential imaging biomarker for predicting clinical outcome of subsequent CCRT in LAHC.

Automated summary

This study developed an imaging biomarker for predicting the treatment outcome of subsequent CCRT in LAHC patients using radiomic features changes in the ITF after IC. The model accurately predicted PFS, with low R score associated with improved PFS.