CT Lung Imaging Software Helps Develop Patient Stratification Models

May 20, 2009 – Definiens, an image software company, and Moffitt Cancer Center will utilize Definiens technology in the analysis of lung cancer CT images for the purpose of developing more accurate prognosis and prediction models for response to specific lung cancer therapies.
Image features extracted with Definiens technology will be compared to disease outcomes, as well as gene expression data available through Total Cancer Care, Moffitt’s comprehensive approach to cancer that enables researchers and caregivers to identify and meet all the needs of a patient and their family during the patient’s lifetime and for future generations.
Moffitt is part of an elite group of National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Centers focusing on the development of early stage translational research models. The Center will employ a lung tumor analysis research application developed by Definiens to rapidly and accurately identify, segment and analyze lung tumors from CT and PET/CT fused images. The application will also allow the researchers to measure lung nodule volume, surface-to-volume, attenuation gradient at the edges, shape features, texture and homogeneity measures, as well as tracking tumors’ volumetric changes over time.

“At Moffitt, we are enthusiastic about deploying these cutting-edge tools to support our researchers with their critical work,” said Robert J. Gillies, Ph.D., vice-chair Radiology and director of the Experimental Imaging Program at Moffitt. “We anticipate that the Definiens platform will streamline the analysis of hundreds, if not thousands, of CT and PET images. These numbers are necessary in order to develop more robust patient stratification models.”

Following the release of the pioneering Definiens LymphExpert application for the analysis of lymph nodes, Definiens is developing image analysis applications for a variety of cancer types, addressing lung and liver tumors as next steps. All Definiens medical imaging applications are built upon the company’s proprietary Definiens Cognition Network Technology®, an image analysis technology that examines objects in relation to one another and emulates human cognitive processes to extract intelligence from images.

“We are excited to support Moffitt’s groundbreaking research into cancer therapies and personalized cancer care,” said Frank-P. Klein, Vice President, Medical Imaging at Definiens. “This project provides further confirmation that Definiens’ unique technology can address the most challenging image analysis tasks facing researchers for a variety of cancer types.”

As part of the research engagement, Moffitt scientists will also explore Definiens TissueMap and Definiens Developer for tissue-based image analysis.

For more information: www.moffitt.org and www.definiens.com