Apparent Diffusion Coefficient MRI Shows Association With Early Progression of Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma With Combined Targeted-Immunotherapy

Background Most intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICCs) are diagnosed at advanced stage with an extremely poor prognosis. For these patients, combining targeted therapies and immunotherapy may have a promising therapeutic effect, and current Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria have limited applicability. Purpose To investigate the associations between pretreatment MRI features and the efficacy of combined targeted-immunotherapy by estimating the risk of early progression (EP) in unresectable ICC, with special emphasis on diffusion-weighted imaging. Study Type Retrospective. Subjects A total of 43 unresectable ICC patients (24 with EP [disease progression <= 12 months after treatment] and 19 with nonearly progression [NEP, disease progression >12 months]), who received first-line systemic therapy with lenvatinib plus PD1 antibody combination. Field Strength/Sequence The 0-T scanner, including T1- and T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced imaging. Assessment Clinical characteristics and MR imaging features including apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), as well as survival analysis of EP were evaluated. Statistical Tests Features between EP and NEP groups were compared by univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Diagnostic performance was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were applied for survival analysis of EP. The progression-free survival (PFS) rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared by the log-rank test. The significance threshold was set at P < 0.05. Results Tumor number, tumor margin, arterial peritumoral enhancement, lymphatic metastasis, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value were significantly different between EP and NEP groups. At multivariate logistic regression analysis, ADC was the only independent variable associated with EP (odds ratio = 0.012), with an area under the curve of 0.774 (optimal cutoff value was 1.028 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec). Multivariate Cox regression model proved that ADC value (hazard ratio = 0.140) and ill-defined margin (hazard ratio = 2.784) were independent risk factors. ICCs with low ADC values showed shorter PFS than those with high values (chi(2) = 9.368). Data Conclusion Pretreatment MRI features were associated with EP for unresectable ICC treated with combined targeted-immunotherapy, and decreased ADC value was an independent variable. Evidence Level 3 Technical Efficacy Stage 4

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the associations between pretreatment MRI features and the efficacy of combined targeted-immunotherapy in unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients. The study found that patients with lower ADC values had a higher risk of early progression (EP), suggesting that ADC value may be an independent predictor of treatment response in combined therapy.