Sci-Sat AM(1): Imaging-03: On-line dynamic contrast enhanced cone-beam CT for measuring

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Accurate quantification of the tumor microenvironment is crucial for effective cancer treatment.
• Current methods for assessing tumor perfusion lack real-time capabilities at the treatment unit.
• Functional imaging offers a promising approach to monitor treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel on-line functional imaging method for quantifying tumor microenvironment.
• To establish a surrogate measurement of tumor perfusion using X-ray contrast enhanced cone beam CT (CBCT).
• To assess the sensitivity of the method in detecting treatment-induced changes in the tumor microenvironment.

Main Methods:

• An X-ray contrast enhanced method based on the cone beam CT (CBCT) platform was developed.
• The technique involves synchronized contrast injection and CBCT acquisition, followed by mathematical parameterization of contrast uptake.
• Non-linear optimization was used to derive tumor perfusion parameters from projection data.

Main Results:

• Dynamic contrast enhanced images were successfully reconstructed from CBCT projections in a rabbit VX2 tumor model.
• The proposed CBCT method demonstrated excellent agreement with conventional CT measurements of contrast enhancement.
• The method showed sensitivity in detecting alterations in the tumor microenvironment post-radiation treatment.

Conclusions:

• The novel on-line functional imaging method provides a reliable means to quantify tumor microenvironment and perfusion at the treatment unit.
• This CBCT-based technique offers a valuable tool for real-time monitoring of cancer treatment response.
• The method has the potential to improve personalized cancer therapy through dynamic assessment of tumor characteristics.