Post-chemo-radiotherapy response and pseudo-progression evaluation on glioma cell types by multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging: a prospective study

Background We focused on Differentiated pseudoprogression (PPN) of progression (PN) and the response to radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) using diffusion and metabolic imaging. Methods Seventy-five patients with glioma were included in this prospective study (approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) (IRCT20230904059352N1) in September 2023). Contrast-enhanced lesion volume (CELV), non-enhanced lesion volume (NELV), necrotic tumor volume (NTV), and quantitative values of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA and NAA/Cr) were calculated by a neuroradiologist using a semi-automatic method. All patients were followed at one and six months after CRT. Results The results of the study showed statistically significant changes before and six months after RT-CRT for M-CELV in all glioma types (p < 0.05). In glioma cell types, the changes in M-ADC, M-Cho/Cr, and Cho/NAA indices for PN were incremental and greater for PPN patients. M-NAA/Cr ratio decreased after six months which was significant only on PN for GBM, and Epn (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed between diffusion indices, metabolic ratios, and CELV changes after six months in all types (p < 0.05). None of the patients were suspected PPN one month after treatment. The DWI/ADC indices had higher sensitivity and specificity (98.25% and 96.57%, respectively). Conclusion The results of the present study showed that ADC values and Cho/Cr and Cho/NAA ratios can be used to differentiate between patients with PPN and PN, although ADC is more sensitive and specific.