Predictive factors for treatment response using dual-energy computed tomography in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether the quantitative parameters of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) can predict the effects of chemotherapy in advanced adenocarcinoma based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) guidelines.

Materials and methods: A total of 90 patients (59 males, 31 females, age 61.4 ± 12.3 (23-85)) with unresectable lung adenocarcinoma (TNM stage IIIB or IV) who underwent DECT before chemotherapy were prospectively included in this study. By comparing baseline studies with the best response achieved during 1 st line chemotherapy, patients were divided into two groups according to RECIST (version 1.1) guidelines as follows; responders (CR or PR) and non-responders (SD or PD). Quantitative measurements were performed on baseline DECT, and a logistic regression model was used to evaluate predictive factors for a response to chemotherapy.

Results: Among 90 patients, 38 were categorized as responders, while 52 patients were non-responders. The mean iodine concentration measurements were significantly higher in responders compared with non-responders (1.81 ± 0.51 vs 1.33 ± 0.76 mg/ml, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, EGFR mutation (odds ratio (OR): 3.116, 95% confidential interval (CI):1.182-8.213, p = .019) and iodine concentration (OR: 1.112, 95% CI:1.034-1.196, p = .006) were found to be significant for predicting a treatment response.

Conclusions: Dual-energy CT using a quantitative analytic method based on iodine concentration measurements can be used to predict the effects of chemotherapy in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma.

Keywords: Adenocarcinoma; Chemotherapy; Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT); Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); Therapeutic response.