Field cycling imaging to characterise breast cancer at low and ultra-low magnetic fields below 0.2 T
Abstract Background This prospective feasibility study explores Field-Cycling Imaging (FCI), a new MRI technology that measures the longitudinal relaxation time across a range of low magnetic field strengths, providing additional information about the molecular properties of tissues. This study aims...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Communications Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-024-00644-2 |
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| author | Vasiliki Mallikourti P. James Ross Oliver Maier Katie Hanna Ehab Husain Gareth R. Davies David J. Lurie Gerald Lip Hana Lahrech Yazan Masannat Lionel M. Broche |
| author_facet | Vasiliki Mallikourti P. James Ross Oliver Maier Katie Hanna Ehab Husain Gareth R. Davies David J. Lurie Gerald Lip Hana Lahrech Yazan Masannat Lionel M. Broche |
| author_sort | Vasiliki Mallikourti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This prospective feasibility study explores Field-Cycling Imaging (FCI), a new MRI technology that measures the longitudinal relaxation time across a range of low magnetic field strengths, providing additional information about the molecular properties of tissues. This study aims to assess the performance of FCI and investigate new quantitative biomarkers at low fields within the context of breast cancer. Methods We conducted a study involving 9 people living with breast cancer (10 tumours in total, mean age, 54 ± 10 years). FCI images were obtained at four magnetic field strengths (2.3 mT to 200 mT). FCI images were processed to generate T1 maps and 1/T1 dispersion profiles from regions of tumour, normal adipose tissue, and glandular tissue. The dispersion profiles were subsequently fitted using a power law model. Statistical analysis focused on comparing potential FCI biomarkers using a Mann-Whitney U or Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results We show that low magnetic fields clearly differentiate tumours from adipose and glandular tissues without contrast agents, particularly at 22 mT (1/T1, median [IQR]: 6.8 [3.9–7.8] s−1 vs 9.1 [8.9–10.2] s−1 vs 8.1 [6.2–9.2] s−1, P < 0.01), where the tumour-to-background contrast ratio was highest (62%). Additionally, 1/T1 dispersion indicated a potential to discriminate invasive from non-invasive cancers (median [IQR]: 0.05 [0.03–0.09] vs 0.19 [0.09–0.26], P = 0.038). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, we described the first application of in vivo FCI in breast cancer, demonstrating relevant biomarkers that could complement diagnosis of current imaging modalities, non-invasively and without contrast agents. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-62c09ccb106441fda78649ec1e9cae50 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2730-664X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-62c09ccb106441fda78649ec1e9cae502025-08-20T02:18:31ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Medicine2730-664X2024-10-014111110.1038/s43856-024-00644-2Field cycling imaging to characterise breast cancer at low and ultra-low magnetic fields below 0.2 TVasiliki Mallikourti0P. James Ross1Oliver Maier2Katie Hanna3Ehab Husain4Gareth R. Davies5David J. Lurie6Gerald Lip7Hana Lahrech8Yazan Masannat9Lionel M. Broche10Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of AberdeenAberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of AberdeenInstitute of Biomedical Imaging, Graz University of TechnologyInstitute of Medical Sciences, University of AberdeenBreast Unit, Aberdeen Royal InfirmaryAberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of AberdeenAberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of AberdeenBreast Unit, Aberdeen Royal InfirmaryUniversity Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1205, BrainTech LabBreast Unit, Aberdeen Royal InfirmaryAberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of AberdeenAbstract Background This prospective feasibility study explores Field-Cycling Imaging (FCI), a new MRI technology that measures the longitudinal relaxation time across a range of low magnetic field strengths, providing additional information about the molecular properties of tissues. This study aims to assess the performance of FCI and investigate new quantitative biomarkers at low fields within the context of breast cancer. Methods We conducted a study involving 9 people living with breast cancer (10 tumours in total, mean age, 54 ± 10 years). FCI images were obtained at four magnetic field strengths (2.3 mT to 200 mT). FCI images were processed to generate T1 maps and 1/T1 dispersion profiles from regions of tumour, normal adipose tissue, and glandular tissue. The dispersion profiles were subsequently fitted using a power law model. Statistical analysis focused on comparing potential FCI biomarkers using a Mann-Whitney U or Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results We show that low magnetic fields clearly differentiate tumours from adipose and glandular tissues without contrast agents, particularly at 22 mT (1/T1, median [IQR]: 6.8 [3.9–7.8] s−1 vs 9.1 [8.9–10.2] s−1 vs 8.1 [6.2–9.2] s−1, P < 0.01), where the tumour-to-background contrast ratio was highest (62%). Additionally, 1/T1 dispersion indicated a potential to discriminate invasive from non-invasive cancers (median [IQR]: 0.05 [0.03–0.09] vs 0.19 [0.09–0.26], P = 0.038). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, we described the first application of in vivo FCI in breast cancer, demonstrating relevant biomarkers that could complement diagnosis of current imaging modalities, non-invasively and without contrast agents.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-024-00644-2 |
| spellingShingle | Vasiliki Mallikourti P. James Ross Oliver Maier Katie Hanna Ehab Husain Gareth R. Davies David J. Lurie Gerald Lip Hana Lahrech Yazan Masannat Lionel M. Broche Field cycling imaging to characterise breast cancer at low and ultra-low magnetic fields below 0.2 T Communications Medicine |
| title | Field cycling imaging to characterise breast cancer at low and ultra-low magnetic fields below 0.2 T |
| title_full | Field cycling imaging to characterise breast cancer at low and ultra-low magnetic fields below 0.2 T |
| title_fullStr | Field cycling imaging to characterise breast cancer at low and ultra-low magnetic fields below 0.2 T |
| title_full_unstemmed | Field cycling imaging to characterise breast cancer at low and ultra-low magnetic fields below 0.2 T |
| title_short | Field cycling imaging to characterise breast cancer at low and ultra-low magnetic fields below 0.2 T |
| title_sort | field cycling imaging to characterise breast cancer at low and ultra low magnetic fields below 0 2 t |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-024-00644-2 |
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