Predicting lung cancer chemotherapy efficacy with extracellular volume fraction and intravoxel incoherent motion parameters

Motivation: Early prediction of the chemotherapy response in lung cancer patients can help clinicians optimize treatment strategies. Goal(s): To assess the value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in predicting early chemotherapeutic efficacy in lung cancer. Approach: Ninety-six lung cancer patients underwent IVIM and T1 mapping imaging before treatment. After two chemotherapy cycles, their ability to predict early chemotherapeutic efficacy in lung cancer was assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Results: IVIM and ECV were predictive for early chemotherapeutic efficacy in lung cancer, with ECV having a stronger association. Impact: IVIM and ECV are potential tools for predicting early chemotherapy efficacy in lung cancer, creating new opportunities to refine initial treatment plans and improve patient prognosis, particularly for those who are resistant to chemotherapy.