Computed tomography radiomics to predict microsatellite instability status and immunotherapy response in gastric cancer

Abstract Objectives To develop and validate a CT radiomics model for predicting microsatellite instability (MSI) status in preoperative gastric cancer (GC) patients and to explore the underlying immune infiltration pattern of the radiomics model. Materials and methods This study used three retrospec...

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Main Authors: Zhou Li, Zixuan Ding, Yongping Lian, Yongqing Liu, Lei Wang, Pengbo Hu, Fangyuan Zhang, Yan Luo, Hong Qiu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-08-01
Series:Insights into Imaging
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-02050-1
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author Zhou Li
Zixuan Ding
Yongping Lian
Yongqing Liu
Lei Wang
Pengbo Hu
Fangyuan Zhang
Yan Luo
Hong Qiu
author_facet Zhou Li
Zixuan Ding
Yongping Lian
Yongqing Liu
Lei Wang
Pengbo Hu
Fangyuan Zhang
Yan Luo
Hong Qiu
author_sort Zhou Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objectives To develop and validate a CT radiomics model for predicting microsatellite instability (MSI) status in preoperative gastric cancer (GC) patients and to explore the underlying immune infiltration pattern of the radiomics model. Materials and methods This study used three retrospective datasets from Tongji Hospital (n = 304, training set), Xiangyang Central Hospital (n = 48, external testing set 1) and public datasets from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) (n = 43, external testing set 2). The preoperative contrast-enhanced CT images of GC were evaluated. Radiomics features were extracted and selected to construct the radiomics model in the training set, and further validated in the other two external testing sets. The outcome cohort, including 68 advanced unresectable GC patients receiving immunotherapy, was used to assess the predictive value of the radiomics model for treatment response and outcomes. We analyzed RNA-sequencing data from TCIA to investigate the underlying genomics characterization and immune infiltration spectrum of the radiomics model. Results Four radiomic features were ultimately selected to develop the radiomics model. The model demonstrated good predictive performance for MSI status, achieving AUCs of 0.952, 0.835, and 0.879 in the training set and the two external testing sets, respectively. Radiomics scores (Radscores) was an independent predictor for PFS in the outcome cohort (HR: 0.145; 95% CI: 0.032–0.657; p = 0.012). Radscores were positively correlated with CD8+ T cells (R = 0.74, p = 0.013) and negatively related to M2-type macrophages (R = −0.67, p = 0.028). Conclusion Our CT radiomics model could effectively predict MSI status and immunotherapy outcomes in GC patients therefore, may act as a potential noninvasive tool for personalized treatment decisions. Critical relevance statement Our study develops a noninvasive biomarker based on readily available imaging to identify gastric cancer patients who may benefit from immunotherapy. It also reveals biological meanings of the radiomics biomarker, promoting further research into interpretability and clinical application of radiomics. Key Points A CT-based radiomics model was constructed to noninvasively predict gastric cancer (GC) microsatellite instability status. This immune-related radiomics model can effectively predict immunotherapy outcomes in GC. This noninvasive method can serve as a supplement for treatment decisions. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-f5645e3a1e1e4a7f85e42d3b56652d842025-08-20T03:42:49ZengSpringerOpenInsights into Imaging1869-41012025-08-0116111210.1186/s13244-025-02050-1Computed tomography radiomics to predict microsatellite instability status and immunotherapy response in gastric cancerZhou Li0Zixuan Ding1Yongping Lian2Yongqing Liu3Lei Wang4Pengbo Hu5Fangyuan Zhang6Yan Luo7Hong Qiu8Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyLanzhou University School of MedicineDepartment of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyXiangyang Central HospitalDepartment of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Objectives To develop and validate a CT radiomics model for predicting microsatellite instability (MSI) status in preoperative gastric cancer (GC) patients and to explore the underlying immune infiltration pattern of the radiomics model. Materials and methods This study used three retrospective datasets from Tongji Hospital (n = 304, training set), Xiangyang Central Hospital (n = 48, external testing set 1) and public datasets from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) (n = 43, external testing set 2). The preoperative contrast-enhanced CT images of GC were evaluated. Radiomics features were extracted and selected to construct the radiomics model in the training set, and further validated in the other two external testing sets. The outcome cohort, including 68 advanced unresectable GC patients receiving immunotherapy, was used to assess the predictive value of the radiomics model for treatment response and outcomes. We analyzed RNA-sequencing data from TCIA to investigate the underlying genomics characterization and immune infiltration spectrum of the radiomics model. Results Four radiomic features were ultimately selected to develop the radiomics model. The model demonstrated good predictive performance for MSI status, achieving AUCs of 0.952, 0.835, and 0.879 in the training set and the two external testing sets, respectively. Radiomics scores (Radscores) was an independent predictor for PFS in the outcome cohort (HR: 0.145; 95% CI: 0.032–0.657; p = 0.012). Radscores were positively correlated with CD8+ T cells (R = 0.74, p = 0.013) and negatively related to M2-type macrophages (R = −0.67, p = 0.028). Conclusion Our CT radiomics model could effectively predict MSI status and immunotherapy outcomes in GC patients therefore, may act as a potential noninvasive tool for personalized treatment decisions. Critical relevance statement Our study develops a noninvasive biomarker based on readily available imaging to identify gastric cancer patients who may benefit from immunotherapy. It also reveals biological meanings of the radiomics biomarker, promoting further research into interpretability and clinical application of radiomics. Key Points A CT-based radiomics model was constructed to noninvasively predict gastric cancer (GC) microsatellite instability status. This immune-related radiomics model can effectively predict immunotherapy outcomes in GC. This noninvasive method can serve as a supplement for treatment decisions. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-02050-1RadiomicsMSIImmunotherapyGastric cancerPrognostic biomarkers
spellingShingle Zhou Li
Zixuan Ding
Yongping Lian
Yongqing Liu
Lei Wang
Pengbo Hu
Fangyuan Zhang
Yan Luo
Hong Qiu
Computed tomography radiomics to predict microsatellite instability status and immunotherapy response in gastric cancer
Insights into Imaging
Radiomics
MSI
Immunotherapy
Gastric cancer
Prognostic biomarkers
title Computed tomography radiomics to predict microsatellite instability status and immunotherapy response in gastric cancer
title_full Computed tomography radiomics to predict microsatellite instability status and immunotherapy response in gastric cancer
title_fullStr Computed tomography radiomics to predict microsatellite instability status and immunotherapy response in gastric cancer
title_full_unstemmed Computed tomography radiomics to predict microsatellite instability status and immunotherapy response in gastric cancer
title_short Computed tomography radiomics to predict microsatellite instability status and immunotherapy response in gastric cancer
title_sort computed tomography radiomics to predict microsatellite instability status and immunotherapy response in gastric cancer
topic Radiomics
MSI
Immunotherapy
Gastric cancer
Prognostic biomarkers
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-02050-1
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