A quantitative imaging biomarker alliance

Abstract

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) created the Quantitative Imaging Biomarker Alliance (QIBA) to convert “imaging systems” with subjective image interpretation to “measurement systems” with objective measurands having actionable numerical values. The goal is to create QIBA protocols and profiles that specify methods for data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation. QIBA profiles also provide specific claims of what can be accomplished by following the QIBA protocol. The intent is to validate the profile across imaging systems in a collaboration between industry, government (NIH, FDA, NIST), Pharma, clinicians, and academics. The RSNA/QIBA effort includes over 850 volunteers worldwide with Biomarker Committees for all major imaging modalities. The effort is expanding with collaborations in Japan (the Japan Radiological Society’s QIBA-Japan) and in Europe (European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research and the European Imaging Biomarker Alliance; EIBIR—EIBALL). The QIBA ultrasound group began with a committee to investigate and minimize sources of bias and variance in shear wave speed estimates for liver fibrosis assessment. The group has grown to about 200 members and includes committees to advance biomarkers based on measurement of volume blood flow and parameters derived from contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The status and implications of these efforts will be presented.