Combined DW-MRI and DW-MRS sensitivity to glioma tumour microenvironment: a preliminary study

Motivation: Understanding the complexity of the tumour microenvironment is critical for understanding glioma progression and developing effective therapies. Goal(s): To develop a non-invasive imaging pipeline for characterization of the glioma tumor microenvironment. Approach: Combining DW-MRI and DW-MRS to enhance the characterization of a spectrum of gliomas as a feasibility study. Results: Changes in neuronal (tNAA) and glial (tCho) metabolites apparent diffusion coefficients suggest neuronal atrophy and glial activation/reaction in tumor core, respectively. Changes in intracellular and extracellular volume fractions and extracellular diffusivity quantified by DW-MRI support and complement metabolite DW-MRS result and further suggest a more infiltrative marging in IDH mutant tumors. Impact: Combination DW-MRI and DW-MRS has potential to characterize the glioma microenvironment for improved understanding of radio-resistance and developing more effective therapies.