Development of a software tool for assessing tumor volume and treatment response of patients with MM

Bone marrow infiltration and bone lesions are characteristics of multiple myeloma. Novel imaging techniques are being developed to better assess bone disease in patients with MM.

We are studying MM patients’ whole body MRI scans with the goal of developing and validating clinically a tool that can be used by Radiologists to perform analysis of lesion burden and quantitative measurement of bone marrow apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) before and after treatment in a user friendly way. ADC histograms derived from segmented tumour regions on WB DW images show potential as a biomarker of response in myeloma.

This project is being performed in collaboration with Nickolas Papanikolaou and his group.

Implications for Patient Care:

a. WB DW imaging could be used in conjunction with conventional laboratory assessments to improve treatment response assessment

b. WB DW imaging may reduce the requirement for serial bone marrow biopsies for longitudinal assessment in patients with myeloma