Early Prediction of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Bladder Cancer Using Quantitative Multiparametric MRI
Bladder cancer is a prevalent malignancy globally, with muscle-invasive disease having a five-year survival rate below 50%. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before radical cystectomy has shown efficacy for resectable muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, non-response to NAC can lead to delayed surgery and unnecessary toxicity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) with dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), offers functional and quantitative biomarkers that may predict NAC response early in treatment.
• Patients diagnosed with cT2-T4 urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder, according to the TNM classification (8), who give informed, written consent on participation in the study and approve all its requirements.
• Planned to receive cisplatin-based NAC followed by radical cystectomy.
• Willing to undergo three mpMRI scans (baseline, 24h post-initial cisplatin, and post-NAC).