Development and evaluation of imaging biomarkers

Project summary

The project aims to develop and evaluate image-based biomarkers (imaging biomarkers) for mapping the tumor phenotype. A biomarker is defined as "a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological process pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention" (Lesko et al., 2001). Image-based biomarkers are biomarkers generated from image data and have the unique characteristics that they are often more specific than biological biomarkers, they are non-invasive and one can follow pathological processes over time. The concept of imaging biomarkers are relatively new, and the evaluation and validation of imaging biomarkers is an important research field within both MRI, PET / CT and CT. There are different types of imaging biomarkers: i) diagnostic/prognostic markers, ii) monitoring markers, iii) indication markers and iv) treatment response markers. Many imaging biomarkers belong to more than one of the above mentions categories. The project aims to develop biomarkers that provide quantitative measures of pathophysiological processes that can be measured from radiological images. Changes in the underlying pathophysiology precede changes in the morphological characteristics by the tumor, and measuring changes in pathophysiology can therefore provide early information on tumor progression and treatment response.

Method

Experimetal design