Houston Baker

National Cancer Institute Initiative: Lung Image Database Resource for Imaging Research

Preliminary clinical studies suggest that spiral computed tomography (CT) of the lungs can improve early detection of lung cancer in high-risk individuals. More clinical studies are needed, however, before public health recommendations can be proposed for population-based screening. Spiral CT generates large-volume data sets and thus poses problems in terms of implementation of efficient and cost-effective screening methods. Image processing algorithms such as computer assisted diagnostic (CAD) methods have the potential to assist in lesion (eg, nodule) detection on spiral CT studies. CAD methods may also be used to characterize nodules by either assessing the stability or change in size of lesions based on evaluation of serial CT studies, or quantitatively measuring the temporal parameters related to contrast dynamics when using contrast material-enhanced CT studies. CAD methods therefore have the potential to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of spiral CT lung screening studies. Lung cancer screening studies now under investigation create an opportunity to develop an image database that will allow comparison and optimization of CAD algorithms. This database could serve as an important national resource for the academic and industrial research community that is currently involved in the development of CAD methods. The National Cancer Institute request for applications (RFA) (CA-01-001) has already been announced (April 2000) to establish and support a consortium of academic centers to develop this database, the consortium to be referred to as the Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC). This RFA is now closed. Five academic sites have been selected to be members of the LIDC, the first meeting of this consortium is planned for spring of 2001, and a public meeting is to be held in 2002. This report is abstracted from the previously published RFA to serve as an example of how an initiative is developed by the National Cancer Institute to support a research resource. For specific details of the RFA, please access the following Internet site: http://www. nci.nih.gov/bip/NCI-DIPinisumm.htm#a11.

Workshop on imaging science development for cancer prevention and preemption

The concept of intraepithelial neoplasm (IEN) as a near-obligate precursor of cancers has generated opportunities to examine drug or device intervention strategies that may reverse or retard the sometimes lengthy process of carcinogenesis. Chemopreventive agents with high therapeutic indices, well-monitored for efficacy and safety, are greatly needed, as is development of less invasive or minimally disruptive visualization and assessment methods to safely screen nominally healthy but at-risk patients, often for extended periods of time and at repeated intervals. Imaging devices, alone or in combination with anticancer drugs, may also provide novel interventions to treat or prevent precancer.

The National Institutes of Health Affordable Cancer Technologies Program: Improving Access to Resource-Appropriate Technologies for Cancer Detection, Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Treatment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Point-of-care (POC) technologies have proved valuable in cancer detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment in the developed world, and have shown promise in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) as well. Despite this promise, the unique design constraints presented in low-resource settings, coupled with the variety of country-specific regulatory and institutional dynamics, have made it difficult for investigators to translate successful POC cancer interventions to the LMIC markets. In response to this need, the National Cancer Institute has partnered with the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering to create the National Institutes of Health Affordable Cancer Technologies (ACTs) program. This program seeks to simplify the pathway to market by funding multidisciplinary investigative teams to adapt and validate the existing technologies for cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment in LMIC settings. The various projects under ACTs range from microfluidic cancer diagnostic tools to novel treatment devices, each geared for successful clinical adaptation to LMIC settings. Via progression through this program, each POC innovation will be uniquely leveraged for successful clinical translation to LMICs in a way not before seen in this arena.Point-of-care (POC) technologies have proved valuable in cancer detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment in the developed world, and have shown promise in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) as well. Despite this promise, the unique design constraints presented in low-resource settings, coupled with the variety of country-specific regulatory and institutional dynamics, have made it difficult for investigators to translate successful POC cancer interventions to the LMIC markets. In response to this need, the National Cancer Institute has partnered with the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering to create the National Institutes of Health Affordable Cancer Technologies (ACTs) program. This program seeks to simplify the pathway to market by funding multidisciplinary investigative teams to adapt and validate the existing technologies for cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment in LMIC settings. The various projects under ACTs range from microfluidic cancer diagnostic tools to novel treatment devices, each geared for successful clinical adaptation to LMIC settings. Via progression through this program, each POC innovation will be uniquely leveraged for successful clinical translation to LMICs in a way not before seen in this arena.

The Role of Affordable, Point-of-Care Technologies for Cancer Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review and Commentary

As the burden of non-communicable diseases such as cancer continues to rise in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), it is essential to identify and invest in promising solutions for cancer control and treatment. Point-of-care technologies (POCTs) have played critical roles in curbing infectious disease epidemics in both high- and low-income settings, and their successes can serve as a model for transforming cancer care in LMICs, where access to traditional clinical resources is often limited. The versatility, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity of POCTs warrant attention for their potential to revolutionize cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. This paper reviews the landscape of affordable POCTs for cancer care in LMICs with a focus on imaging tools, in vitro diagnostics, and treatment technologies and aspires to encourage innovation and further investment in this space.

Foreword: Potential of Optical Imaging for Early Cancer Detection, Screening, Diagnosis and Image Guided Treatment

This issue of the journal is dedicated to outline emerging optical technologies that have the potential to improve early cancer detection, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The authors have briefly reviewed the progress of emerging technologies, described some of the emerging optical systems or methods in their laboratories, and then discuss the barriers for their translation to clinical applications. The scope of the manuscripts includes both endogenous and exogenous contrast agents, including molecular probes. The first four papers address early cancer detection, the remaining four papers address cancer diagnosis or image guided therapy, including either molecular or multi-modality imaging methods.

The Program for Cancer Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment Technologies for Global Health: A Pathway for the Translation of Affordable, Minimally-Invasive Point-of-Care (POC) Technologies to Less-Resourced Settings

Abstract 9Cancer kills more people worldwide than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined, and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the majority of this burden. While success in detection, diagnosis, and treatment has been reported in LMICs through the use of low-cost, point-of-care (POC) technologies, this area has been largely overlooked by the medical device industry and venture capital communities, as low-cost solutions offer less financial incentive for investment. The program presented here aims to simplify the pathway to market by funding investigation teams to adapt and validate existing technologies in low-resource settings. This program specifically supports the translation of these technologies, prioritizing patient outcomes in a manner not typically seen.This program, currently in its second year, will soon support 15 technologies for cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment (e.g., in vitro assays, imaging devices, ablation devices). It is anticipated that by year seven of the ...

Abstract 1428: The program for cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment technologies for global health: Translating affordable, minimally invasive point-of-care technologies to less-resourced settings

Cancer kills more people worldwide than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined, and low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) bear the majority of this burden. Success in detection, diagnosis and treatment has been reported in LMICs through the use of low-cost point-of-care (POC) technologies, and the program presented offers a unique pathway to this POC market by funding multidisciplinary investigative teams to adapt and clinically validate existing technologies for cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment in low-resource settings. Each project consists of an adaptation phase (2 years:

Small Business Grants at the National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health

500k total costs/year) and validation phase (3 years:

Imaging Technology Development Initiatives by the National Cancer Institute's Biomedical Imaging Program

1M total costs/year). Projects are selected through NIH peer review process by a carefully-selected special emphasis panel briefed on the goals of the program. Projects are competitively vetted for Phase II funding based on completion of Phase I milestones. The program currently supports seven technologies for cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment, each of which is progressing towards experimental and clinical validation. The first project is an LED-based photodynamic therapy device for oral cancer, that has similar efficacy in vivo and ex vivo as existing laser phototherapy. Another supported project is an automated high resolution microendoscope for cervical cancer detection, with an impressive histological concordance in detecting CIN2/3 (90%+ for CIN3). Two cervical cancer cryotherapy projects are funded: a cryopen, that can achieve an approximately 4.0 mm depth of necrosis (>90% of disease) for cervical cancer treatment, and an efficient cryopop device that consumes less than 10% of CO2, compared to commercially-available devices and exhibits comparable therapeutic efficacy in ballistic gel studies. The program is also supporting two POC tests, a HPV test and a Hepatitis C viral antigen level and viral load detection. Additionally, a breast cancer triaging device/algorithm, with 95% sensitivity and capabilities to reduce false positive detection rate by 40%, is also being supported. Each project has its own detailed outline for Phase I and Phase II studies, which will be highlighting in our presentation. The program is in the process of adding another six projects, and it is anticipated that by year seven of the program, at least nine projects will have progressed through optimization, clinical validation, and business planning for commercialization and field/clinic dissemination. Through these process, we will uniquely accelerate these technologies for success in clinical translation. Citation Format: Michael Gwede, Paul Pearlman, Pushpa Tandon, Miguel Ossandon, Lokesh Agrawal, Houston Baker, Vinay Pai, Tiffani Lash. The program for cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment technologies for global health: Translating affordable, minimally invasive point-of-care technologies to less-resourced settings. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1428.

RFA: CA-03-002 Network for Translational Research: Optical Imaging

Ten Federal Agencies set aside 2.5% of their external research budget for US small businesses—mainly for technology research and development, including radiation sensor system developments. Five agencies also set aside another 0.15% for the Small Business Technology Transfer Program, which is intended to facilitate technology transfers from research laboratories to public use through small businesses. The second largest of these agencies is the Department of Health and Human Services, and almost all of its extramural research funds flow through the 28 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health. For information, instructions, and application forms, visit the NIH website’s Omnibus Solicitation for SBIR and STTR applications. The National Cancer Institute is the largest NIH research unit and SBIR/STTR participant. NCI also issues SBIR and STTR Program Announcements of its own that feature details modified to better support its initiatives and objectives in cancer prevention, detection, diagn...