There is increasing interest in using imaging methods as biomarkers both as endpoints in clinical trials and in routine clinical practice. There is particular interest in testing molecular imaging techniques as biomarkers to predict or measure response to therapy. A variety of academic, commercial, and government groups are addressing one or more aspects of the evaluation and validation of imaging methods as biomarkers for clinical research, but communication among these groups is often minimal or non-existent.

To promote exchange of information, to assist all of these individual groups in sharpening the focus of their own goals and missions, and to reduce unnecessary duplication of effort, the RSNA convened an Imaging Biomarkers Roundtable in Oak Brook, Illinois on April 3-4, 2008. Twenty-two groups, including two European groups, reported on their current and planned activities.

A list of important unsolved problems or areas requiring increased attention was identified, such as the need for improved phantoms, standardized image acquisition protocols, lexicons, publicly-available image archives, reduced regulatory hurdles, and more money for validation trials. A matrix listing all the various groups and their particular activities in evaluating or validating imaging biomarkers was assembled and is available on this website.

Future opportunities for continued communication and coordination of activities were requested by the participants. Thus, annual meetings of the Roundtable have continued to be held.

The Roundtable has no fixed members.  Any organization that has an interest in the development, evaluation, validation or dissemination of imaging biomarkers is welcome to participate.