Application of Community Detection Algorithm to Investigate the Correlation between Imaging Biomarkers of Tumor Metabolism, Hypoxia, Cellularity, and Perfusion for Precision Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

The present study aimed to investigate the correlation at pre-treatment (TX) between quantitative metrics derived from multimodality imaging (MMI), including F-FDG-PET/CT, F-FMISO-PET/CT, DW- and DCE-MRI, using a community detection algorithm (CDA) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Twenty-three HNSCC patients with 27 metastatic lymph nodes underwent a total of 69 MMI exams at pre-TX. Correlations among quantitative metrics derived from FDG-PET/CT (SUL), FMSIO-PET/CT (K , k , TBR, and DV), DW-MRI (ADC, IVIM [D, D*, and f]), and FXR DCE-MRI [K , v , and τ ]) were investigated using the CDA based on a "spin-glass model" coupled with the Spearman's rank, ρ, analysis. Mean MRI T weighted tumor volumes and SUL values were moderately positively correlated (ρ = 0.48, = 0.01). ADC and D exhibited a moderate negative correlation with SUL (ρ ≤ -0.42, < 0.03 for both). K and K were positively correlated (ρ = 0.48, = 0.01). In contrast, K and k were negatively correlated (ρ = -0.41, = 0.03). CDA revealed four communities for 16 metrics interconnected with 33 edges in the network. DV, K , and K had 8, 7, and 6 edges in the network, respectively. After validation in a larger population, the CDA approach may aid in identifying useful biomarkers for developing individual patient care in HNSCC.