Medical imaging-based ‘virtual biopsies’ move closer to replacing traditional tissue techniques
Researchers are moving closer to achieving more accurate tumor biopsies with a new medical imaging-based approach, according to recent research published in European Radiology.
A team from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom combined CT scans with ultrasound images to create a visual guide for doctors to sample complex tumors with fewer required biopsies. The authors say it is an important milestone in precision sampling and will help cancer patients receive the best possible treatment.
"Our study is a step forward to non-invasively unravel tumor heterogeneity by using standard-of-care CT-based radiomic tumor habitats for ultrasound-guided targeted biopsies,” Lucian Beer, MD, PhD, with the university’s Department of Radiology, said in a statement.
The new approach is based on radiomics, which uses high-powered computing to analyze and extract ‘hidden’ information from medical images. In this case, CT data is superimposed on tumor ultrasound images and combined to help guide biopsies.
To test this novel technique, the researchers performed a prospective study using six patients with suspected high-grade serous ovarian cancer who were set to undergo US-guided biopsy prior to receiving chemotherapy.
First, each underwent a standard CT scan to identify and map areas and features of the tumor. Beer et al. then utilized the aforementioned ultrasound images to help guide the procedures.
After completing the targeted biopsies, Beer and colleagues determined that they successfully captured the diversity of cancer cells within tumors needed to personalize treatments for each cancer patient.
“This study provides an important milestone towards precision tissue sampling,” Evis Sala, MD, PhD, also with the University of Cambridge Department of Radiology, explained on Wednesday. “We are truly pushing the boundaries in translating cutting-edge research to routine clinical care."
Read the entire study published Dec. 14 here.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.