Research Projects

The early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) presents several challenges, including overdiagnosis, missing clinically significant PCa using random biopsy, and addressing multi-focality and molecular heterogeneity. Non-invasive MR-based methods, such as multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), can potentially improve diagnosis and management of PCa. However, mpMRI still misses some clinically significant PCa. A recently developed hybrid multi-dimensional MRI (HM-MRI) pulse sequence can address these challenges. Sophisticated image analysis, such as radiomics, can provide information about cancer phenotypes and aid in clinical decision support. However, these methods have not been utilized to study PCa in India. An experienced group in performing pre-biopsy mpMRI and other advanced MR methods in men with elevated PSA levels proposes using a novel HM-MRI pulse sequence. The study hypothesizes that non-invasive HM-MRI data can detect clinically significant PCa by determining epithelial, stromal, and luminal volume fractions to the level of virtual pathology. To test this hypothesis, the team will utilize HM-MRI, various MR methods, and radiomics analysis to detect clinically significant PCa. The prospective cross-sectional study will recruit 100 patients with elevated PSA levels to undergo pre-biopsy MR and radiomic study before definitive surgery. By the end of the project, the team aims to establish HM-MRI as an alternative to standard mpMRI in detecting clinically significant PCa. Further use of radiomics analysis may help find novel biomarkers to predict, characterize, and assess PCa tumor heterogeneity.