Parametric Response Map (PRM) Analysis Improves Response Assessment in Gliomas

Current strategies for treatment and management of gliomas incorporate molecular markers to individualize patient care. Physiologic imaging identifies treatment-associated alterations in tissue properties including cellular viability, vascular function, and molecular response. Imaging biomarkers provide a noninvasive approach for early treatment response assessment and are an important tool to individualize patient management. Gliomas are heterogeneous tumors. Parametric response mapping (PRM) is a novel voxel-wise imaging analysis method which directly addresses the issue of tumor heterogeneity. PRM image analysis improves the predictive accuracy of imaging biomarkers in clinical applications including treatment response assessment. A multi-parametric imaging biomarker derived from MR perfusion and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using a PRM analysis method provides early identification of high-grade glioma chemoradiation resistance. Further validation of PRM-derived imaging biomarkers is required prior to routine clinical application as an early treatment response marker.