Incorporating prognostic imaging biomarkers into clinical practice.
A prognostic imaging biomarker can be defined as an imaging characteristic that is objectively measurable and provides information on the likely outcome of the cancer disease in an untreated individual and should be distinguished from predictive imaging biomarkers and imaging markers of response. A range of tumour characteristics of potential prognostic value can be measured using a variety imaging modalities. However, none has currently been adopted into routine clinical practice. This article considers key examples of emerging prognostic imaging biomarkers and proposes an evaluation framework that aims to demonstrate clinical efficacy and so support their introduction into the clinical arena. With appropriate validation within an established evaluation framework, prognostic imaging biomarkers have the potential to contribute to individualized cancer care, in some cases reducing the financial burden of expensive cancer treatments by facilitating their more rational use.
Department of Medical Imaging, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Southern Clinical School, Brisbane, Australia.
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Phillip Law
Kenneth A
KA
Miles
D015415:Biomarkers; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D055420:Perfusion Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
D015415:Biomarkers