A Correlative Study Between IVIM-DWI Parameters And VEGF And MMPs Expression In Hepatocellular Carcinomas

Objective:To study the correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging(IVIM-DWI)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)expression in human hepatocellular carcinomas(HCCs).Materials and methods:Conventional non-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and dynamic contrast MRI as well as IVIM-DWI were performed in sixty-one patients with HCCs before resection.IVIM-DWI parameters,including apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),slow apparent diffusion coefficient(D),fast apparent diffusion coefficient(D*)and fraction of fast apparent diffusion coefficient(f),were calculated by using the Function-MADC software.The expression of VEGF,MMP-9 and MMP-2 was detected by immunohistochemistry staining and classified into three grades.Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between IVIM-DWI and the expression of VEGF,MMP-9,MMP-2 in HCCs.One way analysis of variance(ANOVA)was used to compare the differences of IVIM parameters in different VEGF,MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression groups.Results:The expression of VEGF,MMP-9 and MMP-2 showed positive correlations with f,but not ADC and D.The f values in strong positive VEGF,MMP-9 and MMP-2 groups were significantly higher than those in positive and negative VEGF,MMP-9 and MMP-2 groups.ADC and D values were not obviously different in the different expression groups.TheVEGF and MMP-9 expression also showed positive correlations with D*;and the differences of D*values were significant in different VEGF and MMP-9 groups.Conclusion:The parameters of IVIM-DWI are correlated with the expression of VEGF,MMP-9 and MMP-2.IVIM-DWI is helpful to noninvasively evaluate the angiogenesis of HCC.