To evaluate the prognostic value of texture analysis of the primary tumour with ¹⁸fluorine-dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography/X-ray computed tomography (¹⁸F-DOPA PET/CT) in patients affected by high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NBL).

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 18 patients with HR-NBL, which had been prospectively enrolled in the course of a previous trial investigating the diagnostic role of ¹⁸F-DOPA PET/CT at the time of the first onset. Texture analysis of the primary tumour was carried out on the PET images using LifeX. Conventional indices, histogram parameters, grey level co-occurrence (GLCM), run-length (GLRLM), neighbouring difference (NGLDM) and zone-length (GLZLM) matrices parameter were extracted; their values were compared with the overall metastatic load, expressed by means of whole-body metabolic burden (WBMB) score and the progression-free/overall survival (PFS and OS).

Results

There was a direct correlation between WBMB and radiomics parameter describing uptake intensity (SUV_mean: p = .004) and voxel heterogeneity (entropy: p = .026; GLCM_Contrast: p = .001). Conversely, texture indices of homogeneity showed an inverse correlation with WBMB (energy: p = .026; GLCM_Homogeneity: p = .006). On the multivariate model, WBMB (p < .01) and the first standardised uptake value (SUV) quartile (p < .001) predicted PFS; OS was predicted by WBMB and the N-myc proto-oncogene protein (MYCN) amplification (p < .05) for both.

Conclusions

Textural parameters describing heterogeneity and metabolic intensity of the primary HR-NBL are closely associated with its overall metastatic burden. In turn, the whole-body tumour load appears to be one of the most relevant predictors of progression-free and overall survival.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare that no funds, grants or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

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Volume69, Issue11

November 2022

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Prognostic value of texture analysis of the primary tumour in high-risk neuroblastoma: An ¹⁸F-DOPA PET study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

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Prognostic value of texture analysis of the primary tumour in high-risk neuroblastoma: An 18F-DOPA PET study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

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Prognostic value of texture analysis of the primary tumour in high-risk neuroblastoma: An ¹⁸F-DOPA PET study