The value of glucose-chemical exchange saturation transfer and amide proton transfer in predicting tumor grading and staging in rectal cancer

What are the values of glucose-chemical exchange saturation transfer (glucoCEST) and amide proton transfer (APT) imaging in WHO grading and T staging of rectal cancer? We performed 3D-glucoCEST, 3D-APT, and DWI scans in 21 rectal adenocarcinoma cases. GlucoCEST signal intensity (SI) and 3D-APT SI could distinguish high-grade from low-grade, and T3 stage from T2 stage rectal adenocarcinoma, and both had comparable diagnostic efficacy. In addition, 3D-glucoCEST SI and 3D-APT SI were positively correlated with tumor grade.