Beyond RECIST: molecular and functional imaging techniques for evaluation of response to targeted therapy

Cancer Treat Rev. 2009 Jun;35(4):309-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2008.12.001. Epub 2009 Jan 10.

Abstract

The development of targeted therapies is a major breakthrough in the treatment of cancer. By evoking necrosis and cavitation, evaluation based on tumour size alone, as is done in the RECIST criteria, is no longer an adequate method. New molecular and functional imaging techniques are developed. This review focuses on the use of new imaging modalities for the evaluation of treatment response of pathway based targeted therapies. First, the basic principles of functional and molecular imaging modalities are briefly discussed. Thereafter, their clinical application in targeted therapies is correlated to the underlying biological mechanism. In this way, the best method for response evaluation for a new agent can be identified.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Molecular Biology
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18