Background: To correlate between signal parameters using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCEMRI) and outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving radiotherapy with or without concomitant thalidomide. Methods: DCEMRI was performed in advanced HCC patients undergoing radiotherapy with or without concomitant thalidomide. Initial first-pass enhancement slopes (slope) and peak enhancement ratios (peak) were measured over an operator-defined region of interest over tumor and non-tumor liver parenchyma. The perfusion parameters were correlated with clinical outcomes. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov. (identifier NCT00155272). Results: Forty-three patients were evaluable. There were 18 partial responses (PRs), 5 minimal responses (MRs), 17 stable diseases (SDs), and 3 progressive diseases (PDs). Baseline perfusion parameters as well as slope at 14 days of radiotherapy were higher in patients with PR or MR compared to SD or PD (0.81 ± 0.29 vs. 0.49 ± 0.34, p < 0.01; 0.39 ± 0.15 vs. 0.28 ± 0.16, p = 0.02; 0.97 ± 0.38 vs. 0.46 ± 0.26, p < 0.01; respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed perfusion parameters over liver parenchyma, but not over tumor, and independently predicted progression-free and overall survival (182 ± 33 vs. 105 ± 26 days,p = 0.01; 397 ± 111 vs. 233 ± 19 days, p = 0.001 respectively). For 22 patients receiving concomitant thalidomide, the perfusion parameters were not significantly different from those receiving radiotherapy alone. Conclusions: Signal parameters of DCEMRI over tumor and liver parenchyma correlated with tumor response and survival, respectively, in HCC patients receiving radiotherapy.
