DCE-MRI Morphometric Assessment Predicts Chemotherapy Response in CRLM: Prospective Comparison with Functional Parameters

Motivation: Given the potential toxicities associated with chemotherapy in patients with CRLM (colorectal liver metastasis), identifying imaging features that can effectively predict treatment response is crucial. Goal(s): To evaluate the spatiotemporal tumor heterogeneity in CRLM using DCE-MRI and compare the differences between morphometric features and functional parameters in predicting chemotherapy effectiveness. Approach: A prospective study was conducted on CRLM patients receiving standard first-line chemotherapy, analyzing 18 morphometric features and 90 functional parameters from multiple tumor spatial subregions on DCE-MRI at baseline and early post-treatment. Results: The morphometric model outperformed the functional model in predicting chemotherapy effectiveness (AUC, 0.94 vs. 0.66, P < .001). Impact: This study reveals the potential role of MRI morphometric features in predicting chemotherapy response in CRLM, providing a practical and effective tool for clinical decision-making.