Amide proton transfer imaging can predict tumor grade in rectal cancer

Purpose: To prospectively investigate the ability of amide proton transfer (APT) imaging, in comparison with that of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), to predict pathological factors in rectal cancer. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent MR examination including APT imaging and DWI for evaluation of rectal cancer were enrolled. APT signal intensity (SI) was defined as the magnetization transfer asymmetry at 3.5 ppm and was mapped. An apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map was generated using b-values of 0, 500 and 1000 s/mm ² . APT SI and ADC were calculated by placing regions-of-interest in the tumors on these maps. Pathological factors including tumor size and tumor grade were also evaluated. Average APT SIs or ADCs were compared between the two groups classified based on each pathological factor using Student's t-test. Results: The average APT SI of tumors with diameters of 5 cm or more (3.09 ± 1.41%) was significantly higher than that of tumors with diameters < 5 cm (1.83 ± 1.38%). In addition, the average APT SI of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (2.82 ± 1.51%) was significantly higher than that of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (1.24 ± 0.57%). There was no difference in ADC between groups classified based on any pathological factor. Conclusion: Amide proton transfer imaging can predict tumor grade in rectal cancer.