OBJECTIVETo study the changes in quantitative kinetic parameters in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) during radiotherapy and their value for efficacy evaluation in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSTwenty-four patients with NPC that had been pathologically confirmed as poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma underwent conventional MRI and DCE-MRI scans 1-2 days before radiotherapy (Pre-RT), during radiotherapy (RT 50 Gy), and upon completion of radiotherapy (RT 70 Gy). Based on the two-compartment model and using the arterial input function deconvolution technique, we calculated the quantitative kinetic parameters of DCE-MRI (K(trans), kep, and Ve) of the tumor tissues, examined the correlation between the tumor regression rate (RS0-50) and the parameters on Pre-RT and RT 50 Gy, and compared the parameters for RT 70 Gy among the groups with different prognosis.

RESULTSThe K(trans) value of the tumor tissue decreased after radiotherapy and showed a significant difference between Pre-RT and RT 70 Gy, but not between Pre-RT and RT 50 Gy. The kep value decreased and Ve value increased after radiotherapy. The tumor regression rate was found to be positively correlated with the K(trans) value for Pre-RT (P=0.005) but negatively with the K(trans) value for RT 50 Gy (P=0.001). During the follow-up for 3 years, 5 patients died and 3 patients had distant metastases. No statistical differences in K(trans), kep, or Ve were found between the groups with different prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSThe kinetic parameters in DCE-MRI, which vary significantly during radiotherapy, allow monitoring of tumor angiogenesis and vascular permeability and quantitative assessment of treatment efficacy for NPC. K(trans) value for Pre-RT and RT 50 Gy can serve as an indicator for early efficacy assessment of radiotherapy and for treatment adjustment, but its relation with the long-term outcomes awaits further study.

Algorithms ; Capillary Permeability ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; radiotherapy ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To construct a scientific and technological evaluation system based on the needs of the pilot program for building a national high-quality hospital and establishing a national medical center.Methods:Xiangya Hospital of Central South University gradually improved its academic evaluation system by following the guidelines outlined in national authorities′ documents regarding "abolishing the five only" and "setting new standards", adhering to the guiding principles of "quality, contribution, efficiency, and impact" and employing the principles of "high-standard evaluation, quantitative evaluation, representative work evaluation, and third-party evaluation" .Results:The hospital established a comprehensive, scientific, and quantifiable indicator pool. These indicators were applied to various aspects of medical innovation evaluation, including awarding incentives, discipline assessment, professional promotion, personnel assessment, mentor selection for graduates, and excellence evaluation. Simultaneously, the hospital developed an intelligent platform for medical innovation evaluation and assessment in university-affiliated hospitals based on performance management theory.Conclusions:Through the construction and practice of the Xiangya technology evaluation system, the hospital further improved and optimized its academic evaluation work, guiding researchers to high-quality innovation and efficient translational research, ultimately promoting the high-quality development of the hospital.