A transformer-based deep learning model for early prediction of lymph node metastasis in locally advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy using pretreatment CT images

BACKGROUND: Early prediction of lymph node status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) facilitates promptly optimization of treatment strategies. This study aimed to develop and validate a deep learning network (DLN) using baseline computed tomography images to predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) after NAC in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC). METHODS: A total of 1205 LAGC patients were retrospectively recruited from three hospitals between January 2013 and March 2023, constituting a training cohort, an internal validation cohort, and two external validation cohorts. A transformer-based DLN was developed using 3D tumor images to predict LNM after NAC. A clinical model was constructed through multivariate logistic regression analysis as a baseline for subsequent comparisons. The performance of the models was evaluated through discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability. Furthermore, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was conducted to assess overall survival (OS) of LAGC patients at two follow-up centers. FINDINGS: The DLN outperformed the clinical model and demonstrated a robust performance for predicting LNM in the training and validation cohorts, with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.804 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.752–0.849), 0.748 (95% CI, 0.660–0.830), 0.788 (95% CI, 0.735–0.835), and 0.766 (95% CI, 0.717–0.814), respectively. Decision curve analysis exhibited a high net clinical benefit of the DLN. Moreover, the DLN was significantly associated with the OS of LAGC patients [Center 1: hazard ratio (HR), 1.789, P < 0.001; Center 2:HR, 1.776, P = 0.013]. INTERPRETATION: The transformer-based DLN provides early and effective prediction of LNM and survival outcomes in LAGC patients receiving NAC, with promise to guide individualized therapy. Future prospective multicenter studies are warranted to further validate our model. FUNDING: 10.13039/501100001809National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 82373432, 82171923, 82202142), Project Funded by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (NO. 2022M720857), Regional Innovation and Development Joint Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. U22A20345), 10.13039/501100014219National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of China (NO. 81925023), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Image Analysis and Application (NO. 2022B1212010011), 10.13039/501100018609High-level Hospital Construction Project (NO. DFJHBF202105), 10.13039/501100018540Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province for Distinguished Young Scholars (NO. 2024B1515020091).