APT histogram parameters for Response Prediction of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Rectal Cancer: A Prospective Study

Early imaging prediction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) response would enable a personalized treatment approach to improve therapeutic response and avoid treatment morbidity in rectal cancer. Morphological changes base on T2 weighted MRI and free dispersion limitation of water molecules in tumor have limited value in evaluating efficacy after NACT. Amide proton transfer (APT)–weighted MRI, indirectly detecting the concentration of tissue macromolecular proteins, could help to inform us of the proliferation and biological status of tumor cells. The aim of this study is to determine if APT MRI is useful in early assessment of treatment response in persons with rectal cancer.