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Association Between CT-Based AI-Derived Body Composition and Survival in Patients With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

December 22, 2025pubmed logopapers

Authors

Wijsman KJH,Klatte DCF,Babiker HM,Bogdanski AM,Grossardt BR,van Hooft JE,van Leerdam ME,Mieog JSD,Weston AD,Wallace MB,Bi Y

Affiliations (7)

  • Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
  • Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
  • Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
  • Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
  • Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
  • Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
  • Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.

Abstract

A deeper understanding of the factors influencing survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is essential for optimizing treatment strategies. This study investigates the independent association of body composition parameters with overall survival in patients with PDAC. This retrospective multi-site cohort study included patients diagnosed with PDAC. Diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scans were retrieved and body composition was evaluated using a validated deep learning-based segmentation algorithm that measured tissue volume and density in a 20 cm vertical abdominal section. A total of 1666 patients with PDAC were included, 938 male (56.3%), median age 69 years old (IQR 61 - 76). In the subgroup of patients who underwent surgical resection (n=509), myosteatosis (intramuscular infiltration of adipose tissue; HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.16 - 2.11, P=0.004), sarcopenic obesity (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.06 - 2.91, P=0.03), and less subcutaneous adipose tissue (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03 -1.16, P=0.002) were associated with higher mortality. In patients receiving palliative systemic therapy (n=439), lower skeletal muscle density (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.03 -1.99, P=0.03) was associated with higher mortality. In patients who did not undergo tumor-targeted treatment (n=718), less visceral adipose tissue (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 - 1.08, P=0.02) was associated with higher mortality. Body composition parameters, derived from CT scans at the time of PDAC diagnosis, particularly low skeletal muscle density, sarcopenic obesity, and low adipose tissue, are independently associated with OS in patients with PDAC. Evaluating body composition at diagnosis could enhance clinical decision-making and enable more personalized treatment strategies.

Topics

Journal Article

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