Multimodal imaging of gliomas in the context of evolving cellular and molecular therapies

Olivier Keunen; Torfinn Taxt; Renate Grüner; Morten Lund-Johansen; Joerg-Christian Tonn; Tina Pavlin; Rolf Bjerkvig; Simone P Niclou; Frits Thorsen

doi:10.1016/j.addr.2014.07.010

Multimodal imaging of gliomas in the context of evolving cellular and molecular therapies

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2014 Sep 30:76:98-115. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.07.010. Epub 2014 Jul 28.

Authors

Olivier Keunen¹, Torfinn Taxt², Renate Grüner³, Morten Lund-Johansen⁴, Joerg-Christian Tonn⁵, Tina Pavlin⁶, Rolf Bjerkvig⁷, Simone P Niclou⁸, Frits Thorsen⁹

Affiliations

¹ NorLux Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Centre de Recherche Public de la Santé, Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Translational Cancer Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Translational Cancer Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway; Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
³ Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
⁴ Department of Neurosurgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway.
⁵ Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
⁶ Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.
⁷ NorLux Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Centre de Recherche Public de la Santé, Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Translational Cancer Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway; The Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Brain Tumour Research Center, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.
⁸ NorLux Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Centre de Recherche Public de la Santé, Luxembourg, Luxembourg. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁹ Translational Cancer Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway; Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway; The Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Brain Tumour Research Center, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.

PMID: 25078721
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.07.010

Abstract

The vast majority of malignant gliomas relapse after surgery and standard radio-chemotherapy. Novel molecular and cellular therapies are thus being developed, targeting specific aspects of tumor growth. While histopathology remains the gold standard for tumor classification, neuroimaging has over the years taken a central role in the diagnosis and treatment follow up of brain tumors. It is used to detect and localize lesions, define the target area for biopsies, plan surgical and radiation interventions and assess tumor progression and treatment outcome. In recent years the application of novel drugs including anti-angiogenic agents that affect the tumor vasculature, has drastically modulated the outcome of brain tumor imaging. To properly evaluate the effects of emerging experimental therapies and successfully support treatment decisions, neuroimaging will have to evolve. Multi-modal imaging systems with existing and new contrast agents, molecular tracers, technological advances and advanced data analysis can all contribute to the establishment of disease relevant biomarkers that will improve disease management and patient care. In this review, we address the challenges of glioma imaging in the context of novel molecular and cellular therapies, and take a prospective look at emerging experimental and pre-clinical imaging techniques that bear the promise of meeting these challenges.

Keywords: (11)C-methionine (PubChem CID: 15556483); (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (PubChem CID: 450503); (18)F-fluoroethyltyrosine (PubChem CID: 44439370); (18)F-fluoromisonidazole (PubChem CID: 450173); (18)F-fluorothymidine (PubChem CID: 450772); Brain tumors; Computer vision; Gadolinium (PubChem CID: 23982); Image analysis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Molecular imaging; Neuroimaging; Positron emission tomography; Radiology information systems; Temozolomide (PubChem CID: 5394).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
Glioma / diagnosis*
Glioma / therapy*
Humans
Molecular Targeted Therapy
Multimodal Imaging*
Neuroimaging