OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of parameters in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) using reference region model with prognostic factors and molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

METHODSMRI and pathological data of 50 patients with pathologically confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast were retrospectively analyzed. Reference region model was applied to analyze pharmacokinetic quantitative parameters including volume transfer constant (RR K), rate constant (K) and the ratio of Kto extracellular space volume (K/V). The associations of the above parameters with prognostic factors and molecular subtypes of breast cancer were analyzed.

RESULTSRR Kand Kwere significantly higher in patients of histological grade 3 compared with those of histological grade 1 & 2 (all<0.05); and the patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative and/or progesterone receptor (PR)-negative also had higher RR Kand Kthan those with ER-positive or PR-positive (all<0.05). For immunohistochemistry, RR Kand Kwere significantly higher in triple negative breast cancer compared with luminal type breast cancer (all<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHigh RR Kand Kare associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer, and which can also be used to distinguish molecular subtypes of breast cancer.