Role of Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting and Quantitative MR Imaging in Breast Cancer

The objectives of this study are to assess the utility of quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in assessment of response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer. Magnetic Resonance (MR) Fingerprinting based relaxometry allows quantification of T1 and T2 relaxation times of tumor and normal breast tissue. Response to chemotherapy is associated with measurable changes in these properties and may be used to predict treatment response earlier than conventional MRI. The study team hypothesize that 3D MRF before, during and after chemotherapy can provide additional quantitative information about changes during treatment and may predict early response to chemotherapy.

During visit 1, 3D MR Fingerprinting images will be added to the clinical MRI scan before start of chemotherapy. The additional research images will take less than 20 minutes to acquire During visit 2, patients will be scheduled for a research only non-contrast 3D MR Fingerprinting scan 7-10 days after the first cycle of chemotherapy. Acquisition of images will take approximately 30 minutes.

During visit 3, if the treating physician orders a clinical MRI scan within 1 month of the end of chemotherapy treatment, the investigators will add a 3D MR Fingerprinting sequence to the clinical scan. The additional research images will take less than 20 minutes to acquire. If the patient is not scheduled for a clinical scan within 1 month of the end of chemotherapy treatment, the investigators will contact the patient to schedule a research only 3D MR Fingerprinting scan. The study team would like to administer IV gadolinium contrast for research purposes. Patients will be reconsented prior to the research only scan to determine whether or not they will receive IV contrast. If the patient declines administration of contrast for the post treatment scan, the study team will perform a non-contrast scan. Acquisition of images will take 30-45 minutes.

Inclusion criteria

• Biopsy proven cases of breast cancer

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with onlybenign lesion
• Patients with onlyductal carcinomain situ (DCIS)
• Patients with recurrent/ residual breast cancer in same breast
• Pregnant women
• Lactating Women6.Patients with ferromagnetic or otherwise non-MRI compatible aneurysm clips.
• The presence of an implanted medical device that is not MRI-compatible, including, but not limited to: pacemaker, defibrillator
• Patients with contraindications for MRIdue to embedded foreign metallic objects. Bullets, shrapnel, metalwork fragments, or other metallic material adds unnecessary risk to the patient.
• Known history of severe claustrophobia
• Patients under the age of 18
• For patients with known history of allergic reaction to MR contrast material or abnormal kidney function (GFR < 40 mL/ min), a contrast enhanced exam will not be performed; however, a non-contrast exam may be performed in these patients.