Harmonic Motion Imaging of Pancreatic Tumor Stiffness Indicates Disease State and Treatment Response.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a common, deadly cancer that is challenging both to diagnose and to manage. Its hallmark is an expansive, desmoplastic stroma characterized by high mechanical stiffness. In this study, we sought to leverage this feature of PDA for two purposes: differential diagnosis and monitoring of response to treatment.

Experimental design

Harmonic motion imaging (HMI) is a functional ultrasound technique that yields a quantitative relative measurement of stiffness suitable for comparisons between individuals and over time. We used HMI to quantify pancreatic stiffness in mouse models of pancreatitis and PDA as well as in a series of freshly resected human pancreatic cancer specimens.

Results

In mice, we learned that stiffness incre

SUBMITTER: Payen T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7073277 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature