Arterial Spin Labeling measured baseline perfusion stratifies survival in glioblastoma

Motivation: Quantitative measurements at baseline, prior to chemoradiation, can inform prognosis and optimal treatment strategies for patients with glioblastoma (GBM), however, such measurements using ASL are currently lacking. Goal(s): To investigate ASL measured quantitative perfusion prior to chemoradiation for survival prediction in GBM patients. Approach: Twenty-three newly diagnosed GBM patients were enrolled in this prospective IRB-approved study. Baseline scans with ASL and survival information were obtained. Results: ASL measured baseline perfusion aids in survival prediction and stratification between groups with long (mean: 717 days) and short (mean: 361 days) survival in GBM. Impact: Early and accurate survival stratification by ASL measured perfusion prior to chemoradiation treatment provides valuable opportunities for therapeutic interventions, including personalized and biologically driven radiation treatment planning and strategic discontinuation of traditional treatments for enrollment in promising clinical trials.