Multiparametric MRI of a Mouse-INtraDuctal (MIND) in vivo model of human invasive lobular breast carcinoma

Motivation: Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is a major subtype of breast cancer but remains very difficult to detect until late stage. There is a lack of sensitive imaging techniques for the diagnosis of ILC. Goal(s): To define clinically-translatable MRI biomarkers of the heterogeneous tumour microenvironment in ILC. Approach: A Mouse-INtraDuctal (MIND) model was used to emulate late stage ILC. Multiparametric MRI was performed on ~10 month-old tumours. Results: ILC exhibited bimodal ADC and stiffness profiles. Invasive tumour regions displayed low ADC and elevated stiffness compared to lobular in situ regions. Impact: Multiparametric MRI can inform on the evolving microenvironment within MIND model of invasive lobular carcinoma. Invasive regions displayed restricted water diffusion and elevated stiffness, highlighting the utility of DWI and MRE as informative techniques for detecting and assessing invasiveness.