RSNA partners with RadSite on FDG-PET/CT biomarker pilot program

The Radiological Society of North America is partnering with RadSite on a new pilot project aimed at enhancing the quality of molecular imaging exams, the organizations announced Wednesday.

The RSNA Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance Profile for fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging offers qualitative and quantitative information to align standardized uptake values. The move is focused on outpatient imaging centers and should bring more consistency to cancer treatments and therapies.

“A primary goal is to improve the value and practicality of quantitative imaging biomarkers by reducing variability across devices, sites, patients and time," QIBA Vice Chair Gudrun Zahlmann, PhD, said in a statement. "The … profile helps document the consistency of the technical and behavioral performance levels and quality control specifications for whole-body scans used in single- and multi-center clinical trials of oncologic therapies."

RadSite, an accreditation group for advanced imaging, will help RSNA pilot the new biomarker profile in the U.S. Similar to a beta trial completed in Europe, this investigation seeks to establish more interrater reliability across FDG-PET/CT imaging.

The Annapolis, Maryland-based company will be recruiting imaging suppliers to participate in this program over the coming months.

"RadSite is looking forward to working with RSNA to address some of the challenges associated with the well documented variability in the measurement of SUVs, which have important implications for routine clinical care in addition to clinical trials" Eliot Siegel, MD, RadSite's Standards Committee chair, added Dec. 8. "Evidence-based QIBA Profiles are confirmed in part by physics evaluations to provide critical insights on how best to manage cancer patients by tracking the disease state with more specificity and uniformity."

Read the full announcement here and learn more about the project here.

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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.

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