An advanced scanning analysis technique could eventually see “virtual biopsies” replace tissue biopsies, UK scientists have announced.
Cancer researchers at the University of Cambridge, UK, say the method, which uses routine medical scans, will enable doctors to take fewer, more accurate tumour biopsies and will be an important step towards precision tissue sampling for cancer patients to help select the best treatment.
It could eventually replace clinical biopsies with virtual biopsies, sparing patients invasive procedures, they say.
Writing in European Radiology, the team, led by Professor Evis Sala from the Department of Radiology, co-lead CRUK Cambridge Centre Advanced Cancer Imaging Programme, says the feasibility study involved a small group of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who were due to have ultrasound-guided biopsies before starting chemotherapy.
The patients first had a standard-of-care CT scan and then researchers used radiomics to identify and map distinct areas and features of the tumour.
The tumour map was superimposed on the ultrasound image of the tumour and the combined image used to guide the biopsy procedure.
The research team say the diversity of cancer cells within the tumour was successfully captured.
Professor Sala said: “This study provides an important milestone towards precision tissue sampling. We are truly pushing the boundaries in translating cutting edge research to routine clinical care.”
Co-first author Dr Lucian Beer, from the Department of Radiology and CRUK Cambridge Centre Ovarian Cancer Programme, said: “Our study is a step forward to non-invasively unravel tumour heterogeneity by using standard-of-care CT-based radiomic tumour habitats for ultrasound-guided targeted biopsies.”
The researchers are to apply the method in a larger clinical study.
The study involved researchers from the Department of Radiology, CRUK Cambridge Institute, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Cannon.
Beer L, Martin-Gonzalez P et al. Ultrasound-guided targeted biopsies of distinct CT based radiomic tumour habitats: proof of concept. European Radiology; 14 Dec 2020; doi: 10.1007/s00330-020-07560-8
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