A Transfer Learning Framework for Deep Learning-Based CT-to-Perfusion Mapping on Lung Cancer Patients

Purpose: Deep learning model has shown the feasibility of providing spatial lung perfusion information based on CT images. However, the performance of this method on lung cancer patients is yet to be investigated. This study aims to develop a transfer learning framework to evaluate the deep learning based CT-to-perfusion mapping method specifically on lung cancer patients. Methods: SPECT/CT perfusion scans of 33 lung cancer patients and 137 non-cancer patients were retrospectively collected from two hospitals. To adapt the deep learning model on lung cancer patients, a transfer learning framework was developed to utilize the features learned from the non-cancer patients. These images were processed to extract features from three-dimensional CT images and synthesize the corresponding CT-based perfusion images. A pre-trained model was first developed using a dataset of patients with lung diseases other than lung cancer, and subsequently fine-tuned specifically on lung cancer patients under three-fold cross-validation. A multi-level evaluation was performed between the CT-based perfusion images and ground-truth SPECT perfusion images in aspects of voxel-wise correlation using Spearman’s correlation coefficient (R), function-wise similarity using Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), and lobe-wise agreement using mean perfusion value for each lobe of the lungs. Results: The fine-tuned model yielded a high voxel-wise correlation (0.8142 ± 0.0669) and outperformed the pre-trained model by approximately 8%. Evaluation of function-wise similarity indicated an average DSC value of 0.8112 ± 0.0484 (range: 0.6460-0.8984) for high-functional lungs and 0.8137 ± 0.0414 (range: 0.6743-0.8902) for low-functional lungs. Among the 33 lung cancer patients, high DSC values of greater than 0.7 were achieved for high functional volumes in 32 patients and low functional volumes in all patients. The correlations of the mean perfusion value on the left upper lobe, left lower lobe, right upper lobe, right middle lobe, and right lower lobe were 0.7314, 0.7134, 0.5108, 0.4765, and 0.7618, respectively. Conclusion: For lung cancer patients, the CT-based perfusion images synthesized by the transfer learning framework indicated a strong voxel-wise correlation and function-wise similarity with the SPECT perfusion images. This suggests the great potential of the deep learning method in providing regional-based functional information for functional lung avoidance radiation therapy.