Volumetric Image Analysis Promotes Accurate Assessment of Patient Response to Cancer Treatment

A software application assists radiology professionals in the identification, analysis, and evaluation of lymph nodes in computed tomography (CT) images over time.

Definiens (Munich, Germany), announced the launch of Definiens LymphExpert Version 2.0 in the European market, following CE-marking approval.

Lymph nodes play a crucial role in the assessment of cancer progression and the staging of therapy control. The earlier the metastatic spread of cancer can be detected, the higher the chances are for successful treatment. Currently, RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) 1.1 is the most established standard for evaluating patient responses to treatment. Under RECIST, the diameter of a tumor is measured to provide a two-dimensional representation. However, tumors do not always expand or contract uniformly and changes in diameter do not necessarily provide a complete picture of tumor growth.

Definiens LymphExpert automatically segments lymph nodes and analyzes their properties according to RECIST and the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerlandt) criteria. In addition, Definiens LymphExpert is able to quantify effectively the volume of lymph nodes and their volumetric changes over time, providing a more complete picture of node size and growth. Accurate and detailed analysis of node volume may allow radiologists to detect metastasizing cancer earlier and more readily evaluate the efficacy of treatment protocols. Definiens LymphExpert promotes the development of personalized treatments, reducing costs and avoiding unnecessary procedures for better patient outcomes.

"It is becoming increasingly clear that one- and two-dimensional RECIST and WHO criteria provide only partial information about tumor progression,” said Frank P. Klein, vice president, medical imaging at Definiens. "Quantifying the volume of tumors or lymph nodes can potentially provide a much more accurate determination of changes in size and other dimensions.”

Definiens LymphExpert Version 2.0 provides accurate and reproducible results. It reduces inter- and intra-reader variability in the assessment of CT images, enabling clinicians to work more efficiently. The software allows users to conduct side-by-side comparisons of images taken at different stages of lymph node development, accurately tracking a cancer's progression or remission. Data can be imported from a wide variety of imaging acquisition devices, making it applicable to radiologists working in hospitals, cancer centers, contract research organizations (CROs), pharmaceutical companies, teleradiology service providers, and academic institutions. Moreover, the system incorporates a thin client architecture that gives radiologists remote access to their image data and analysis tools from any workstation at any time. Image analysis results can thereby be obtained faster and at a lower cost.

By automating image analysis, Definiens supports healthcare providers in analyzing and interpreting vast numbers of digital images accurately and consistently. The technology improves the analysis of tissue samples and non-invasive imaging, enabling translational medicine--from early diagnosis to personalized treatment.

Definiens analyzes and interprets images on every scale, from microscopic cell structures to satellite images. The Definiens Cognition Network Technology, developed by Nobel Laureate Prof. Gerd Binnig and his team, is an advanced and robust context-based technology designed to fulfill the image analysis requirements of the medical, life science, and earth science markets. The technology is modeled on the powerful human cognitive perception processes to extract intelligence from images. Definiens provides organizations with faster image analysis results, allowing deeper insights enabling better business decisions.

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