Quantitative DCE-MRI after P4-based error correction provides a more accurate therapy response assessment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) measures tissue perfusion by monitoring the dynamic change of MRI contrast agents. However, the inter/intra-scanner variability in quantitative DCE-MRI (qDCE) measurement remains a concern. We developed a point-of-care portable perfusion phantom (P4) that can be imaged with a human subject in a standard MRI scanner to detect and correct the inter/intra-scanner variability of qDCE measurement. We demonstrated that the PDAC response to chemotherapy could be accurately assessed using quantitative DCE-MRI after our P4-based error correction method approximately seven weeks after starting therapy in two clinics.