Objective:

To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound (CETRUS) time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters in assessing the response of prostate cancer (PCa) patients to neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT).

Methods:

The

clinical data of 27 PCa patients who received NHT were included. Based on postoperative pathology

patients were divided into the effective (

n

=16) and ineffective (

n

=11) groups. Clinical pathological characteristics

serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels

and CETRUS examination parameters and their change rates before and after treatment were compared between the two groups to identify potential indicators related to NHT response. Further

correlation analysis was used to evaluate their value in assessing patient response to NHT.

Results:

No significant differences were observed between the effective and ineffective groups in clinical pathological characteristics

pre-treatment serum PSA levels

and CETRUS parameters (all

P

＞0.05). After treatment

the area under the TIC (AUC) was lower in the effective group compared to the ineffective group (560 dB·s

vs

710 dB·s)

with a greater change rate (-27.1%

vs

-5.3%) (both

P

＜0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the AUC change rate had a slightly higher correlation with histological response scores than the post-treatment AUC (

r

: -0.690

vs

-0.630).

Conclusion:

In CETRUS TIC parameters

the post- treatment AUC and its change rate have a good predictive value for assessing the response of PCa patients to NHT

with the AUC change rate potentially more related to the degree of treatment response. It helps in developing more targeted treatment strategies and improving the treatment outcomes for PCa patients.