A pilot study on the value of T1ρ mapping in preoperatively predicting the status of ER, PR, HER-2 and Ki-67 in breast cancer

Motivation: Noninvasive imaging methods capable of revealing molecular characteristic heterogeneity in breast cancer may help to compensate for the sampling errors of biopsy and guide tailored treatment. Goal(s): To explore the value of T1ρ mapping in preoperatively predicting the status of ER, PR, HER-2 and Ki-67 in breast cancer. Approach: This is a prospective diagnostic study. The differences of T1ρ values of tumors with different status of ER, PR, HER-2 and Ki-67 were compared between groups. Results: The T1ρ values showed significant differences in ER (P<0.01), PR(P=0.01), HER-2 (P=0.04), and Ki-67(P=0.02) negative and positive groups, with respective AUCs of 0.867, 0.79, 0.77, and 0.75. Impact: T1ρ mapping is expected to be a non-invasive tool to help evaluate ER, PR, HER-2, and Ki-67 status before surgery in breast cancer, and to provide assistance in individualized treatment.