February 23, 2023

Understanding the Different Phenotypes of Prostate Cancer and their Impact on Imaging Features

7th Call, iDoc

Short Summary

To understand the impact of different growth patterns of PCa on the detectability of the tumor lesions on multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) we intend to do single cell analysis on mpMRI targeted biopsies. This will allow us a profound understanding of the lesion characteristics in direct correlation with the imaging parameters.

Goals

With the data based on the cellular composition of the tumor lesions and the co-registrated mpMRI data we aim to be able to characterize the tumor growth phenotype and to find imaging parameters that can identify the growth pattern and therefore increase our confidence in the use of mpMRI for focal therapy.

Significance

If we succeed, we might have a better understanding of the significance and etiology of the different growth patterns and we eventually can identify lesions that are well characterized on mpMRI (expansive growth) form lesions that might need more work up with molecular imaging (infiltrative growth).

Background

The accuracy of mpMRI depends on the morphologic phenotype of the tumor. We showed that infiltrative growth is associated with lower signal on PSMA PET as well as reduced diffusion restriction on mpMRI. However, until now we do not understand why some tumors grow expansive while other have a more infiltrative growth. Therefore, we also do not know if we underestimate the tumor on mpMRI or see the delineation of the tumor well. This is a major limitation for successful targeted therapies in PCa.