Quantitative imaging biomarkers in neuro-oncology.

Abstract

Conventional structural imaging provides limited information on tumor characterization and prognosis. Advances in neurosurgical techniques, radiotherapy planning and novel drug treatments for brain tumors have generated increasing need for reproducible, noninvasive, quantitative imaging biomarkers. This Review considers the role of physiological MRI and PET molecular imaging in understanding metabolic processes associated with tumor growth, blood flow and ultrastructure. We address the utility of various techniques in distinguishing between tumors and non-neoplastic processes, in tumor grading, in defining anatomical relationships between tumor and eloquent brain regions and in determining the biological substrates of treatment response. Much of the evidence is derived from limited case series in individual centers. Despite their 'added value', the effect of these techniques as an adjunct to structural imaging in clinical research and practice remains limited.

• Authors: Adam D Waldman, Alan Jackson, Stephen J Price, Christopher A Clark, Thomas C Booth, Dorothee P Auer, Paul S Tofts, David J Collins, Martin O Leach, Jeremy H Rees, National Cancer Research Institute Brain Tumour Imaging Subgroup
• Journal: Nature reviews. Clinical oncology (Nat Rev Clin Oncol) Vol. 6 Issue 8 Pg. 445-54 (Aug 2009) ISSN: 1759-4782 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19546864 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Biomarkers
• Hemoglobins
• deoxyhemoglobin
• Oxygen

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers
• Blood Volume
• Brain Chemistry
• Brain Diseases (diagnosis)
• Brain Neoplasms (blood supply, chemistry, diagnosis, pathology, secondary, therapy)
• Cerebrovascular Circulation
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Glioma (blood supply, chemistry, diagnosis, pathology, therapy)
• Hemoglobins (analysis)
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (drug therapy, pathology)
• Neurosurgical Procedures
• Oxygen (blood)
• Planning Techniques
• Positron-Emission Tomography
• Sensitivity and Specificity