Functional imaging biomarkers for assessing response to treatment in liver and lung metastases
Livia Bernardin1, Elizabeth A M O'Flynn1, Nandita M Desouza1
1Clinical Magnetic Resonance Group, Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, UK.
Abstract:
Management of patients with metastatic cancer and development of new treatments rely on imaging to provide non-invasive biomarkers of tumour response and progression. The widely used size-based criteria have increasingly become inadequate where early measures of response are required to avoid toxicity of ineffective treatments, as biological, physiologic, and molecular modifications in tumours occur before changes in gross tumour size. A multiparametric approach with the current range of imaging techniques allows functional aspects of tumours to be simultaneously interrogated. Appropriate use of these imaging techniques and their timing in relation to the treatment schedule, particularly in the context of clinical trials, is fundamental. There is a lack of consensus regarding which imaging parameters are most informative for a particular disease site and the best time to image so that, despite an increasing body of literature, open questions on these aspects remain. In addition, standardization of these new parameters is required. This review summarizes the published literature over the last decade on functional and molecular imaging techniques in assessing treatment response in liver and lung metastases.
Insights
Functional and molecular imaging offer advanced, non-invasive biomarkers for assessing metastatic cancer treatment response. This review highlights their role in evaluating liver and lung metastases, moving beyond traditional size-based criteria.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Current size-based criteria for assessing cancer treatment response are often inadequate.
- Tumor biological, physiological, and molecular changes precede gross size alterations.
- Early assessment of treatment response is crucial to prevent toxicity from ineffective therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review functional and molecular imaging techniques for assessing treatment response in liver and lung metastases.
- To highlight the limitations of traditional size-based assessment methods.
- To discuss the need for consensus and standardization in multiparametric imaging.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published literature over the last decade.
- Focus on functional and molecular imaging modalities.
- Analysis of application in liver and lung metastases.
Main Results:
- Multiparametric imaging allows simultaneous interrogation of tumor functional aspects.
- Functional and molecular imaging provide early, non-invasive biomarkers of treatment response.
- Despite literature growth, consensus on optimal parameters and timing remains lacking.
Conclusions:
- Functional and molecular imaging are essential for evaluating metastatic cancer treatment response.
- Standardization and consensus on imaging parameters and timing are required for clinical implementation.
- These advanced imaging techniques are critical for optimizing patient care and clinical trials.
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