Imaging Technology News - October 2008 - (Page 36)

> > special report Pretargeting Cancer continued from page 35 Infinia Hawkeye 4 by GE Healthcare, which is a multislice helical SPECT/CT delivering higher image quality and fast patient throughput that delivers highquality attenuation correction for every SPECT procedure and precise localization, thus improving diagnostic confidence as demonstrated by more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Another PET/CT product by GE Healthcare that assists in evaluating the treatment efficacy of a patient is the PET VCAR (Volume Computer-Assisted Reading), which has the ability to quantify cancer disease from a volume of PET data. The PET VCAR enables easy exam-to-exam comparison for fast review, multiple segmentation algorithms to help define tumor volumes and a multi-pla- nar or orthogonal image review tool for different visual anatomical perspectives. Vanderheyden commented, “The PET VCAR’s strength is in its ability to use the patient for its own control — meaning a patient would go in before a treatment and you can see what the metabolism is of the different tumors so that after they get their treatment whether it be chemo or another way, the patient goes back and gets another molecular imaging procedure that you can compare with the first…the volumetric aspect of the CT gives you the map in a morphology point of view so that you can superimpose and get an idea of whether the tumor is regressing, is it the same or is it increasing.” These new imaging advances open the doors for a greater merger between imaging and therapy, allowing one to determine whether a certain therapy is appropriate and/or effective as it enables detecting disease at earlier stages. Looking toward the future, making referring physicians aware of the advances in the field of molecular imaging and cancer treatment is key because, according to Vanderheyden, there is evidence that patients are not being referred enough to some imaging procedures even though FDG glucose procedures are already being strongly reimbursed. In addition, clinical trials must continue to demonstrate the efficacy of these treatments. “At that point, I think there will be ample way and evidence to use molecular imaging much more broadly at a much more visible and earlier part of a patient’s journey; to be used in the future much more prospectively in finding diseases earlier and therefore also following up if the treatment is appropriate.” < Address Medical Imaging Growth Opportunities The medical imaging industry is at a historic crossroads. While growth has slowed in many core imaging markets due to regulatory changes, developments in information technology are driving technical and workflow innovations to create new opportunities. Is your company positioned to take advantage of these opportunities for growth? Frost & Sullivan’s Imaging Group provides market intelligence and strategic consulting that enable our clients to take advantage of the best growth opportunities in the diagnostic, medical, informatics, and molecular imaging markets. To find out how you can take advantage of these growth opportunities, contact Sara Villarruel at sara.villarruel@frost.com. www.frost.com Early Aggressive Treatment Increases Survival in Many Brain Tumor Parts Early aggressive treatment with chemotherapy prior to radiotherapy may prolong survival for patients with anaplastic oligodendrogliomas according to new research from the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) presented at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) 50th Annual Meeting in Boston. RTOG, an NCI-funded national clinical trials group, is a clinical research component of the American College of Radiology (ACR). Longer-term results of an RTOG study show that administering chemotherapy prior to radiotherapy increased survival for oligodendroglioma patients. Progression-free survival also improved for those receiving the neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a benefit most evident in those whose tumors have deletions of chromosomes 1p and 19q. “Our research, while providing some answers for patients with oligodendrogliomas, shows that longer follow-up and genetic profiles will be necessary to provide definitive answers for determining initial treatment strategies,”related Gregory Cairncross, M.D., of the University of Calgary Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Canada. RTOG 9402, a phase III study, enrolled 299 anaplastic oligodendroglioma patients from July 1994 until March 2002 at 104 academic and community facilities in the U.S. and Canada. Patients were randomized to receive either standard radiotherapy alone or four cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy using procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine followed by standard radiotherapy. Molecular analysis of oligodendrogliomas divides these tumors into two groups – those with deletion of both chromosomes 1p and 19q and those without. RTOG research has shown that patients with the deletions have a better response to treatment and overall survival. RTOG 9402 data reports that patients with the deletion had a median survival of 8.7 years vs. 2.7 years for those without the co-deletion (p special report > O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8 http://new.reillycomm.com/imaging/special-report-b.php http://www.frost.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Imaging Technology News - October 2008

Imaging Technology News - October 2008 Contents RSNA Low-Field MRI Systems Contrast Media Injectors AM-LCDs Special Report - Agents Target Neurological Diseases and Disorders IT Laser Imagers Monitors Meet Radiology Suite Needs MR Guides Ultrasound in Outpatient Treatments Replacing a Legacy PACS PACS SAs: Titles and Salaries

Imaging Technology News - October 2008

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