Non-invasive imaging methods, including X-ray imaging, CT, nuclear scintigraphy, SPECT, MRI and PET are key to state-of-the-art patient management. Integrated dual-modality imaging methods (hybrid imaging) can take these techniques beyond state of the art, by providing more diagnostic information than their individual components. Specifically, HYBRID sought to adopt a more inclusive approach to image analysis, that considers anatomical, functional and hybrid imaging, together with related non-imaging parameters that are extracted from patients during their clinical work-up (e.g. histopathology, genetic profiles). This is seen, for example, in the work of ESR9 (David Wallis) who built prediction models on the grounds of combined non-invasive imaging and histopathology. Likewise, ESR12 (Nicolò Capobianco) succeeded in building and validating a tool for automated lesion segmentation on PET images of lymphoma patients. Similar efforts by ESR6 (Masoomeh Rahimpour), ESR14 (David Iommi) and ESR 2 (Xikai Tang) resulted tools for lesion segmentation as part of the management of patients with glioma, prostate cancer and patients undergoing SIRT therapy. In essence, these projects reveal the synergisms derived from dual-modality imaging and subsequent advanced data processing for accurate and expedited image analysis.
It would be fair to say, that within HYBRID we managed to provide our ESRs with in-depth knowledge in medical physics, data processing and – to a lesser extent - biomedical engineering, all being united by a common understanding of the importance of “applied” science approaches, that is the usefulness and potential of translating methodological developments to the clinic. In that regard, we are confident that the readiness of ESRs post completion of HYBRID to work efficiently and effectively in medical sciences and medical industry is above average and beyond most state-of-the-art of singular university track education towards a PhD.
Ultimately, the results obtained by the HYBRID project will help groups of patients in the future by providing means to tailor diagnostic and therapeutic choices to individual patients. This, in turn, will bring healthcare costs down by avoiding futile and costly procedures for those who will not benefit from inappropriate and ineffective treatments.