Future of prostate imaging: Artificial intelligence in assessing prostatic magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Prostate cancer (Pca; adenocarcinoma) is one of the most common cancers in adult males and one of the leading causes of death in both men and women. The diagnosis of Pca requires substantial experience, and even then the lesions can be difficult to detect. Moreover, although the diagnostic approach for this disease has improved significantly with the advent of multiparametric magnetic resonance, that technology has certain unresolved limitations. In recent years artificial intelligence (AI) has been introduced to the field of radiology, providing new software solutions for prostate diagnostics. Precise mapping of the prostate has become possible through AI and this has greatly improved the accuracy of biopsy. AI has also allowed for certain suspicious lesions to be attributed to a given group according to the Prostate Imaging-Reporting & Data System classification. Finally, AI has facilitated the combination of data obtained from clinical, laboratory (prostate-specific antigen), imaging (magnetic resonance), and biopsy examinations, and in this way new regularities can be found which at the moment remain hidden. Further evolution of AI in this field is inevitable and it is almost certain to significantly expand the efficacy, accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis and treatment of Pca.

Core Tip: The peer reviewed literature has provided sufficient support for the continued application and development of artificial intelligence (AI) in prostate cancer clinical care. In addition, the expanding introduction of various AI-based software products created by leading companies is providing practical benefits to radiologists for improved prostate cancer diagnosis. Certainly, the known complexity of the disease and its consequential difficult diagnosis supports the continued development of new approaches for earlier and more accurate detection, such as could be provided through AI technologies.

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer (Pca; an adenocarcinoma) is one of the leading causes of death from oncological diseases, and it ranks second among adult males. Despite the high frequency of the disease, screening still largely relies on digital rectal examination, with low sensitivity and low specificity, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, with high sensitivity but low specificity. If the tests support a positive suspicion, a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy is performed[1]. A Pca diagnosis is classified as either clinically significant, with the adenocarcinoma lesion requiring surgical treatment to curb the risk of metastasis, or non-significant, with follow-up recommended[2-4].

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is gaining ground as a primary method for Pca diagnosis. However, the diagnostic process requires a radiologist who has deep experiential knowledge with both the disease and the MRI technology[1-3,5]. The Prostate Imaging-Reporting & Data System (PI-RADS; introduced in 2012) and the 2.1 update (2019, with improved sensitivity and specificity) has begun to standardize the process by providing a classification system for findings detectable in Pca[6-8].

The mpMRI technology itself has opened up new opportunities for more accurate and earlier Pca detection (and diagnosis). It is specifically recommended for patients with elevated PSA levels but negative biopsy results and for biopsy-naïve patients who are being monitored for Pca due to risk factors (e.g., age, family history, race). In addition, mpMRI is considered a safer alternative to the TRUS biopsy, as it avoids the complication risks related to the invasive biopsy procedure (e.g., bleeding, infection, urinary hesitancy)[4].

Three-dimensional images of the prostate gland, including high-resolution T2-weighted image (WI), diffusion-weighted image (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) image, are obtained using mpMRI (Figure 1). The imaging findings are combined with the overall clinical profile to determine the level of risk for a clinically significant cancer, following the PI-RADS classification[4].

Figure 1.

Apical peripheral zone with a Prostate Imaging-Reporting & Data System 5 lesion. A and B: Axial (A) and coronal (B) T2-weighted imaging (WI) revealed a homogeneous hypointense lesion in the anterior peripheral zone of the apex; C: Postcontrast axial T1WI showed pronounced enhancement of the lesion; D: Early dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging showed positive enhancement within the lesion and provided a wash-out signal intensity curve; E: Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) diffusion restriction [DWI (b = 1000 s/mm²)] provided a marked hyperintense signal above the background, while the ADC map image showed a lesion with hypointense signal below the background.

American and European guidelines differ from each other in their recommendations for the appropriate time of biopsy[9]. Gleason staging has proven to be an accurate approach, but it (as well as the PI-RADS) has significant limitations in diagnosis and quantification; for example, the PI-RADS system is known to risk provision of an underestimation of tumor size, especially in patients with a low PI-RADS score, while higher PI-RADS score is associated with Gleason score upgrade[10]. In addition, the inherent heterogeneity of Pca, known limitations of mpMRI, and possible biopsy inaccuracies can lead to inconsistencies in the overall assessment of the patient's condition.

Currently, the detection of a prostate carcinoma lesion depends to a large extent on the experience of the radiologist, and in some cases even experienced radiologists find it difficult to detect the lesion or to classify the detected lesion by PI-RADS. In addition, in many cases, hypertrophy of the prostate with age makes it impossible to accurately localize the lesion and consequently hinders the surgeon’s ability to perform an accurate biopsy. It is also necessary to unify the description of a given lesion in relation to generally accepted templates. Fortunately, all these limitations can be overcome by the modern software technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI)[11].

CHALLENGES IN ASSESSING PROSTATIC MRI

The Pca detection process has its weaknesses at present. Indeed, prostate carcinoma lesions are often confused with prostatitis, benign nodules, or hemorrhagic nodules, especially in the transitional zone. This often results in unnecessary biopsies[12]. Another pitfall involves the histological assessment of the biopsied lesion, with inaccuracies resulting in dangerous false-negative findings or incorrect staging[13].

AI has been applied to various diseases in the fields of imaging diagnostics and pathological profiling, most often increasing the efficiency in evaluating results. Especially as with mpMRI, different AI-based solutions have been found to allow for accurate segmentation of the prostate as well as an accurate characterization of the tumors[14]. In the field of pathology, an improvement in diagnostics has also been observed. As with any disease that is managed clinically, a radiological-pathological correlation is required, and this presents an existing lacuna that AI can fill, and certainly biomarker data will play a role as well. Increased knowledge of the pathological mechanism, as can be supported by application of AI, is a crucial component to multidisciplinary clinical care (i.e. collaborative care teams of radiologists, pathologists, and urologists for Pca patients). Overall, this process of incorporating AI into any disease diagnosis will also aid in the discovery of hitherto hidden relationships between different pathology-related biomarkers[15,16].

AI IN MEDICINE

AI is a computer system that performs actions similar to human intelligence. In radiology, AI has developed rapidly in recent years due to the ability of the cutting-edge technology to automatically extract information. Machine learning a subfield of AI is an algorithm that is trained for specific tasks without human intervention, which means that computers can be trained from certain examinations that have been previously described by a radiologist according to their didactic knowledge and practical experience. As more research data, including that involving AI, accumulates, the effectiveness of software increases. Human validation is still required, after which calibration is performed, resulting in better sensitivity and specificity of the novel/improved software. A subtype of machine learning is convolutional neural networks, where different systems interact with one another[17]. Of note, this type of system is the most frequently used in the development of AI[18].

AI has already shown great benefit in improving the detection, characterization, staging and participation in adequately treating Pca. Accurate prostate segmentation is particularly important when performing mpMRI, which without AI is relatively conditional on the perceptions of individual specialists. AI can be involved in the primary detection and staging of prostate carcinoma lesions relative to the PI-RADS system. A study by Cuocolo et al[14] published in 2021 investigated the characterization of human vs AI findings and demonstrated the benefit of the latter. In addition, AI can optimize the exact site for biopsy, as well as create a three-dimensional model to accurately represent the location of the tumor and its relationship to neighboring organs, improving preoperative preparation. Still other publications from recent years have shown regularity between the findings in T2, the changes in DWI, and the density of tissue composition, allowing for the creation of radiopathological maps[19-21].

AI has already proven its utility in other fields of medicine. For example, machine learning has been used in patients with appendicitis, emerging as a tool to predict whether the disease is acute or subacute; specifically, AI showed accurately predicted result in 83.75% of the cases, precision of 84.11%, sensitivity of 81.08%, and specificity of 81.01%[22]. In general, the ever-increasing role of precision medicine, the anticipated future improvements of machine learning and deep learning, and the ongoing expansion of robotics and radiomics are likely to facilitate the robust development of reproducible MRI-based prostatic diagnostics[23].

AI CHALLENGES

The greatest challenge to establishing AI in medical practice, at the moment, is the need for large volumes of data to be integrated into the AI systems. From a practical standpoint, this necessitates a large volume of time and effort from already-taxed radiologists with expertise in prostate imaging. Another challenge is that the collected data originate from different MRI devices made by various manufacturers with varying field strengths, and from studies performed using varying protocols. Ultimately, this means that studies should be grouped according to these varying features. Considering this issue, a study by Gaur et al[24] has shown the AI can not only reduce the time of interpretation of MRI findings from various machines but also improve the sensitivity (from 78% to 83.8% specifically), especially when radiologists with less experience in the field were using the technologies.

CURRENT AI PRODUCTS AVAILABLE

The diagnosis of Pca involves initial detection and accurate classification of the lesion(s) finding, and it is to these processes that software companies have directed their focus. AI systems are "trained" to detect cancer by inputting voluminous data from leading experts. Several groups are reporting various AI models for prostate segmentation, intraprostatic lesion detection and classification tasks with auspicious results[25].

Improvements are being sought in the detection of prostate carcinoma lesions that are invisible to human perception, thereby increasing early diagnosis[26-29]. In Table 1, the current AI products in the prostate field are summarized[30].

Table 1.

Current artificial intelligence products available in the prostate imaging field

Vendor	Product name	FDA approval class	CE approval class	Main features in prostate imaging
Siemens Healthineers	AI-Rad Companion Prostate MR	II	IIb - MDR	Segmentation, volume assessment, lesion annotation, PSA density
Quantib	Quantib® Prostate	II	IIb - MDR	Volume assessment, PSA density, segmentation, PI-RADS scoring, report structure
Quibim	QP-Prostate	II	IIb - MDR	ADC, Ktrans, parametric maps obtainment, volume assessment, segmentation, report structure
Quibim	Perfusion pharmacokinetics modeling	N/A	IIa - MDD	Ktrans map, volume assessment, contrast enhancement assistance
Quibim	Texture analysis	N/A	IIa - MDD	Quantification, radiomics, imaging biomarker discovery
Quibim	T2 mapping (relaxometry)	N/A	IIa - MDD	T2 values, T2 histogram
Siemens Healthineers	Prostate MR on syngo.via	N/A	IIa - MDD	Segmentation, volume assessment, lesion assessment, PI-RADS scoring
JLK Inc.	JPC-01K	N/A	I - MDD	Lesion detection
Lucida Medical	Prostate Intelligence™	N/A	I - MDD	Segmentation, lesion characterization, PI-RADS scoring, report structure
Quibim	DWI - ADC	N/A	IIa - MDD	Volume assessment, ADC support, histogram
Quibim	DWI - IVIM	N/A	IIa - MDD	ADC support, multiparametric maps, perfusion assessment

ADC: Apparent diffusion coefficient; AI: Artificial intelligence; CE: Single Market in the European economic area; DWI: Diffusion weighted imaging; FDA: Food and Drug Administration; IVIM: Intravoxel incoherent motion; JPC-01K: An artificial intelligence-based prostate cancer detection solution; K^trans: Volume transfer constant; MDD: Medical Devices Directive; MDR: Medical device regulation; MR: Magnetic resonance; N/A: Not applicable; PI-RADS: Prostate Imaging-Reporting & Data System; PSA: Prostate-specific antigen.

"AI-Rad companion prostate MR" by Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, PA, United States) aids the fusion between MRI and ultrasound. Performing an ultrasound-guided biopsy alone carries risks such as hemorrhage, infection, and abscessation. Furthermore, the procedure may not provide an answer to the presence of carcinoma in a given patient if performed solely, without previous physical examination and application of other imaging modalities. At the same time, performing an mpMRI scan cannot provide a histological diagnosis. The modern model of Pca diagnosis includes an ultrasound examination in combination with a previously performed MR scan. The lesions found on the MR scan are described by a radiologist, after which the images are superimposed on the ultrasound machine and a fusion between the two methods is achieved. AI in this case assists the biopsy by applying automated segmentation of the prostate, thus saving time and increasing accuracy of the biopsy. The collaboration between the urologist and the radiologist is also improved, as it allows for additional targeting of the lesions detected by MR[31].

Another Siemens product is the “Prostate MR” tool (Siemens Healthineers, Cary, NC, United States), which is available on the syngo.via workstation and is an AI that supports the evaluation of images obtained during a mpMRI scan. Analysis time needed for the AI is extremely short – between 3 sec and 10 sec. Prostate MR supports the primary detection and classification of findings, and offers description according to pre-entered standardized report templates. The use of this type of software is extremely valuable for training radiologists without experience in prostate diagnostics. Indeed, it has been reported that the software application leads to a reduction of false-positive results[32].

With the advent of mpMRI, the total number of examinations performed has increased significantly worldwide[33]. Radiologists today have to interpret multiple MRI scans of the prostate, but this requires great expertise in this challenging field. New guidelines from the European Association of Urology and the American Association of Radiology suggest that an MRI be performed before any biopsy is undertaken, and currently the number of prostate biopsies in the United States and Europe alone is over 3 million[33]. Eventual involvement of AI in the interpretation algorithm may improve the detection rate, accurate localization and risk stratification of patients with suspected Pca. “Quantib^® Prostate” software (Quantib, Rotterdam, Netherlands) offers fast and automated segmentation of the prostate and detection of findings on the most used mpMRI sequences [T2WI, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), DWI, DCE]. The software also provides assistance in the PI-RADS classification of a discovery. Finally, with the help of the software, a standardized report can be written based on pre-created templates, thereby saving time and improving the quality of the report.

DCE perfusion imaging identifies tumors according to their vessel characteristics. The Pharmacokinetic Model used in Quantib^® Prostate helps detect neoplasms and quantifies tumor neoangiogenesis to stage cancer aggressiveness. This suite supports the characterization of tumoral processes in the early detection, diagnosis, treatment response evaluation and follow-up of patients with cancer. The software assesses the characteristics of the tissues, provides T2WI mapping, and depicts the changes according to segmentation. The information obtained allows for the assessment and monitoring of solid tumors, such as prostate, rectal, and liver lesions[31].

"JPC-01K" (JLK Inc., Seoul, Korea) is a neural network-based software used to characterize tumors on mpMRI. This software aims to reduce the time needed to evaluate the prostate examination findings and assist in the description of such by providing quantitative analysis. It also aims to overcome the difficulties in image analysis, which are largely dependent on the radiologist and his/her qualifications and experience. The system uses mpMR images, T2WI, DWI, and DCE as input and visualizes the location of prostate carcinoma lesions and related probabilities. According to a study carried out in one center, the accuracy of the method was 99.65%, with a time required for analysis of only 2 min. The AI at this manufacturer undergoes constant improvement through the addition of new data from leading experts.

“Prostate Intelligence™” (Lucida Medical, Cambridge, United Kingdom) is AI-based software that allows prostate tumor detection on MR images. It is intended to augment a radiologist's interpretation of prostate MRI by providing a risk score and prostate segmentation, and aiding in lesion identification and segmentation. The processing time for this software is between 1 sec and 10 sec. The DWI algorithm by Quibim (Valencia, Spain) calculates the ADC. The suite provides information on the cellular and microstructural organization of tissues and highlights the relationship between pathological changes and the diffusion of water molecules. In addition, this suite aims to characterize tumoral processes to support early detection, diagnosis, treatment response evaluation and follow-up of patients.

The DWI algorithm by Quibim is also used to analyze the microstructure changes according to intra-voxel incoherent motion. The tool allows for the differentiation of pure diffusion changes due to variations in the vascular component and offers additional information complementary to conventional ADC results. This suite aims to characterize tumoral processes to support early detection, diagnosis, treatment response evaluation and follow-up of patients[31].

For timely detection, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of the patient, we offer the algorithm presented in Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Prostate cancer diagnosis algorithm. AI: Artificial intelligence; mpMRI: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; Pca: Prostate cancer; PI-RADS: Prostate Imaging-Reporting & Data System; PSA: Prostate-specific antigen; US: Ultrasound.

OPPORTUNITIES

Creating teams of radiologists and pathologists to jointly decide on the most accurate diagnosis and most effective and efficient treatment methods of patients with Pca would create a more efficient approach to clinical management of the disease to achieve the most successful outcome. With the help of AI, specialists from both fields can join forces, especially when making decisions about suspicious lesions classified as PI-RADS 3. It is possible to bring together in one system all critical components disease history, PSA levels, findings from imaging studies, genetic tests, laboratory tests, physical and histological exams, and treatment(s) performed. AI can facilitate the ability to analyze all these components and compare them to databases for risk stratification and better predictability[34,35].

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography

Unlike most other carcinomas, the application of 18F-fludeoxyglucose (FDG) in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is limited for Pca, due to the low or missing glucose consumption that is typically presented by prostate carcinoma lesions. Thus, the use of specific targeting is required. Until recently, choline was considered a promising marker (since choline uptake/concentration is high in prostatic carcinoma lesion cells). While this radioactive indicator was originally used for staging of high-risk patients as well as re-staging after biochemical relapse, its low sensitivity led to its largely being abandoned. Other markers such as 11C-acetate, 18F-oorocyclobutan-1-carboxylic acid and 18F-uciclovire have been tested but have failed to meet expectations, presenting the same characteristics as choline and low sensitivity.

The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) currently dominates all other markers in PET scans for Pca. PSMA, also known as glutamate carboxypeptidase II, is a transmembrane glycoprotein, highly expressed in prostatic carcinoma lesion cells. PSMA expression tends to increase as Gleason score increases. So far, several ⁶⁸gallium (⁶⁸GA)-labeled ligands have been designed to target PSMA; these include PSMA-11 (known as Hbed-Cc or Hbed-PSMA), PSMA-I & T, and PSMA-617. Therefore, a ⁶⁸germanium (GE)/⁶⁸GA generator with T1/2WI of 271 d is widely used (Figure 3). However, with cyclotron access, PSMA-1007 looks like a substantial breakthrough as it shows an advantage over ⁶⁸GA-labeled PSMA markers.

Figure 3.

⁶⁸GA prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography-computed tomographic images for a patient with prostate cancer (adenocarcinoma). The imaging revealed a primary tumor and diffuse lymph node metastatic spread as well as multiple spinal metastases.

Multiple studies have shown that PET/CT with PSMA has a moderate sensitivity but a very high specificity for detecting metastases in lymph nodes and other organs. If the primary Pca shows PSMA expression, then a PSMA+ and PSMA- finding will be characterized as a secondary lesion or will be treated accordingly as a minor/benign lesion in the fragment imaging, although with the caveat of having high negative prognostic value. Due to the high monetary cost of PSMA studies, careful selection of patients suitable for examination is required. The mpMRI is superior for local assessment of the disease, and PSMA PET/MRI has an advantage in whole-body scanning. However, several restrictions are noted for patients suffering from Pca. For one, PET cameras are not always available and are missing in some of the nuclear medicine departments, especially in remote regions, for various logistical reasons. Another limitation is based in the fact that PSMA is not currently included in international guidelines. Lastly, although the utility of PSMA PET/CT in diagnosis of Pca is indisputable (outperforming diagnostics based solely on PSA, CT, and TRUS biopsy[36-40]) its role in monitoring of the disease remains unresolved.

Currently, only the “Pylarify AI™” software (Lantheus, Billerica, MA, United States) is legalized for support in PSMA PET/CT examinations, according to its demonstrated quantitative and accurate reporting. The AI software allows automated analysis of the CT examination’s findings and allowing for targeting of the hotspots[41,42].

CONCLUSION

The increased incidence of Pca in recent years and the improvement of MRI technologies have led to an increase in the number of the examinations performed on patients for diagnosis of the disease. The larger volume of data that has resulted, combined with the insufficient number and/or insufficiently trained personnel, has unfortunately complicated the clinical process and management of these patients. AI is a powerful modern tool that offers benefits of time reduction and improved quality and accuracy of interpretation of prostatic carcinoma lesion findings according to the unified PI-RADS system. AI application to the field of radiological imaging may revolutionize the approach to Pca patients. However, there is still a long way to go until we are able to fully calibrate the individual components of the new AI-based software solutions and carry out accurate and thorough studies in this arena to gain a comprehensive understanding of the pathology of the disease and clinical care benefits of this powerful tool.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful for the support provided by NextGenerationEU.