Quantitative Imaging Analysis Core

The Quantitative Imaging Analysis Core (QIAC) is a Diagnostic Imaging initiated resource for the MD Anderson community that provides a centralized platform for clinical and translational imaging research focused on oncology. The goal and challenge are to transform the philosophy, vision and activities in diagnostic oncologic imaging from image data acquisition to image data analytics to facilitate decision making.

The multiple tiers of function include:

1. Analysis of CT, MR, PET/CT and NM Bone scan imaging studies as well as other imaging modalities. Tumor metrics criteria available include RECIST 1.0, RECIST 1.1, irRECIST, iRECIST, irRC, Lugano, RANO, iRANO, RANO BM, mRECIST, Cheson, EASL, imRECIST, Olsen, PERCIST, RECIL, Choi, MASS and mChoi, among other measurements for clinical trials and clinical decision support.
2. Image segmentation and quantitative analysis.
3. Support of imaging genomics research by providing a connectivity pipeline between Big Data and ‘Omics, (e.g., proteomics, genomics), and imaging data mining to include archiving, analysis and retrieval. It will be a platform for linking digital genomics, digital pathology and digital images.
4. Developing imaging as a quantitative biomarker, and providing a platform for collaboration across clinical specialties and multidisciplinary organ systems.

For a nominal fee, the quantitative imaging service will include: 2D tumor metrics, 3D volumetrics and advanced image analysis (e.g., texture analysis or feature extraction). It is designed to assess disease status by producing accurate, standardized imaging including storage and analyses to meet the needs of clinicians and research scientists.

QIAC provides quantitative and semi-quantitative tumor metrics and sophisticated volumetric assessments based on specific imaging tumor phenotypes and imaging analytics. In addition, it promotes the development of novel tools/algorithms for image segmentation and advanced image analyses within the MD Anderson community and beyond.

The administrative structure of QIAC is overseen by the Executive Sponsor, Director, Co-Director, Administrative Director and a steering committee composed of radiologists, oncologists, physicists and QIAC imaging specialists.