AUTHOR=Zheng Jing , Gong Xue Qin , Tao Yun Yun , Wang Ran , Yang Gang , Li Jing Dong , Ren Tian , Li Zu Mao , Yang Cui , Wang Wei Cheng , Yang Lin , Zhang Xiao Ming 

TITLE=A Correlative Study Between IVIM-DWI Parameters and the Expression Levels of Ang-2 and TKT in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2020

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.594366

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2020.594366

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=Objective: To study the correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) parameters and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and transketolase (TKT) expression levels in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).
Materials and methods: Conventional non-enhanced MRI and IVIM-DWI and dynamic contrast MRI were performed in 61 patients with HCC before surgical treatment. The IVIM-DWI parameters, such as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), slow apparent diffusion coefficient (D), fast apparent diffusion coefficient (D*) and fraction of fast apparent diffusion coefficient (f), were calculated with the Function-MADC software. The expression of Ang-2 and TKT of HCC were detected by immunohistochemistry staining and classified into two grades. Independent sample t test was used to compare the parameters differences between the two groups. Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between IVIM-DWI parameters and Ang-2 and TKT expression levels in HCCs.
Results: The D* and f values in high Ang-2 group were significantly higher than those in low Ang-2 group; ADC and D were not obviously different in the two groups. The expression of Ang-2 showed positive correlations with the D* and f; but not ADC and D.
The ADC and D values in the high TKT group were significantly lower than those in low TKT group; but both the differences of D*and f were not significant in the two groups. TKT expression showed a negative correlation with the ADC and D; but not D* and f. 
Conclusion: IVIM-DWI can be used to evaluate Ang-2 and TKT expression.