title: 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: Department of Imaging, Imperial College, London, UK. adam.waldman@csc.mrc.ac.uk
authors: Adam D
authors: AD
authors: Waldman
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Jackson
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Price
authors: Christopher A
authors: CA
authors: Clark
authors: Thomas C
authors: TC
authors: Booth
authors: Dorothee P
authors: DP
authors: Auer
authors: Paul S
authors: PS
authors: Tofts
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Collins
authors: Martin O
authors: MO
authors: Leach
authors: Jeremy H
authors: JH
authors: Rees
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers; D001810:Blood Volume; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005910:Glioma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010934:Planning Techniques; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins; C100003:deoxyhemoglobin; D010100:Oxygen