Project Details
Projekt
Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Bio-Signatures of Prostate Cancer
Subject Area
Radiology
Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
Term
since 2022
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 500397400
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is the dominant contrast for the detection and characterization of lesions in the peripheral zone of the prostate in the PI-RADS v2 classification scheme. Although very indicative in many cases, DWI-derived metrics are often not specific enough to allow for a reliable disease characterization, e.g. for grading of prostate tumors. Often a considerable overlap of diffusion metrics is observed in tissues that shall be classified. Therefore, this proposal aims at overcoming this limitation by evaluation of several novel contrast mechanisms in DWI of the prostate. First, the effects of applying magnetization transfer (MT) pulses shall be evaluated. This work is motivated by recent publications showing extended effects of MT pulses on DWI of the brain. Second, the diagnostic value of using minimal eigenvalue and radial diffusivity as biomarkers shall be evaluated. This part of the project is motivated by recent publications showing an elevated fractional anisotropy in prostate cancer besides the well-known reduction in apparent diffusion; the combined effect of both measures should become most visible in assessments of minimal eigenvalue and radial diffusivity. Third, it shall be evaluated whether the reduction of the T2 shine through effect by use of short echo times allows the replacement of currently recommended high b-values (b = 1500 s/mm² or larger) by smaller b-values; which result in higher signal to noise ratios. This work package is driven by the availability of new scanners equipped with strong gradient systems. Fourth, the value of using generalized q-space trajectories shall be evaluated. The new approach also becomes possible because of the newly available stronger gradient systems. Generalized q-space trajectories allow one to assess microscopic tissue heterogeneity, which has been shown to be very different for benign and malignant prostate cancer.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
