Prediction of intra-tumoural tertiary lymphoid structures in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using MRI-based radiomics

Motivation: Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) can only be assessed by postoperative specimen and a non-invasive tool to preoperatively evaluate TLSs is still lacking. Goal(s): To explore the association between TLSs status of patients with ICC and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics analysis. Approach: Radiomics features were subjected to LASSO regression to select the most associated features of TLSs and construct the radiomics model. Results: The AUCs of Rad-score were 0.85, 0.81, and 0.84 in the T, V1, and V2 cohorts, respectively. Low-risk group showed significantly better median RFS than that of the high-risk group, which was also confirmed in cohort V1 and V2. Impact: TLSs have been reported to have prognostic value and guiding significance to immunotherapy in ICC patients. The MRI radiomics signature could serve as a non-invasive tool to preoperatively predict intra-tumoural TLSs status of ICC patients and correlate significantly with prognosis.