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Review
. 2018 Jul;48(1):13-26.
doi: 10.1002/jmri.26058.

Imaging biomarkers in oncology: Basics and application to MRI

Isabel Dregely  1 , Davide Prezzi  2   3 , Christian Kelly-Morland  2   3 , Elisa Roccia  1 , Radhouene Neji  1   4 , Vicky Goh  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Imaging biomarkers in oncology: Basics and application to MRI

Isabel Dregely et al. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2018 Jul.

Abstract

Cancer remains a global killer alongside cardiovascular disease. A better understanding of cancer biology has transformed its management with an increasing emphasis on a personalized approach, so-called "precision cancer medicine." Imaging has a key role to play in the management of cancer patients. Imaging biomarkers that objectively inform on tumor biology, the tumor environment, and tumor changes in response to an intervention complement genomic and molecular diagnostics. In this review we describe the key principles for imaging biomarker development and discuss the current status with respect to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Level of evidence: 5 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:13-26.

Keywords: imaging biomarkers; magnetic resonance imaging; oncology; precision medicine.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schema highlighting steps taken in developing a potential imaging biomarker
Figure 2
Figure 2
Multiparametric prostate MRI demonstrates a left mid‐gland PI‐RADS 5 peripheral zone lesion extending beyond the prostate (a: T2‐weighted, b: diffusion‐weighted apparent diffusion coefficient map, c: arterial phase dynamic contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted image).
Figure 3
Figure 3
T2‐weighted axial image demonstrates a T3N1 rectal cancer extending beyond the rectal wall but not involving the potential resection margin
Figure 4
Figure 4
The T2 axial oblique image (a) of a rectal cancer, diffusion‐weighted images with increasing b‐weighting 0 (b), 100 (c), 500 (d), and 800 s/mm2 (e), and corresponding ADC0‐800 map (f) is shown. Signal loss is demonstrated within the rectal cancer with increasing b‐weighting. The signal loss is greater for normal tissue than for the cancer.
Figure 5
Figure 5
T2‐weighted (a) and corresponding transfer constant maps (K trans, b) before and after three cycles of therapy with an antiangiogenic and triplet chemotherapy. A decrease in tumor vascularization is noted following three cycles of therapy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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