A Predictive Model of Rectal Tumor Response to Preoperative Radiotherapy Using Classification and Regression Tree Methods

Abstract
Purpose: The ability to predict rectal tumor response to preoperative radiotherapy before treatment would significantly impact patient selection. In this study, classification and regression tree (CART) methods were used to model tumor response to preoperative conformal high-dose rate brachytherapy by assessing the predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Bcl-2, p21, p53, and APAF-1.