Imaging predictors of VS behaviour (MRI-VS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Imaging predictors of VS behaviour (MRI-VS)
IRAS ID
351617
Contact name
Daniel Lewis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
Strategies for treating growing vestibular schwannoma (VS) include surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and for NF2-related Schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN)associated tumours, the anti-angiogenic bevacizumab (Avastin) can also be used Given the eloquent anatomical location of VS, pre-treatment biopsy of these tumours is not feasible and non-invasive predictors of VS growth and response to SRS/ anti-angiogenic treatment are required. Early studies on advanced MRI techniques, such as dynamic contrast enhanced MRI have shown potential to provide valuable non-invasive information on VS growth and treatment response, and parameters extracted from routine structural MRI, through large-scale so called ‘radiomic’ analyses could also be imaging predictors of VS behaviour. Alongside imaging, other non-invasive predictors of VS behaviour such as peripheral blood analysis have also been suggested, raising the possibility that combined panels of imaging and plasma based biomarkers could aid in predicting VS behaviour.
Establishing the repeatability of such biomarkers is essential for designing studies based on such biomarker changes. The aim of this project is to therefore allow development and validation studies of non-invasive imaging and blood-based biomarkers in patients with vestibular schwannoma. This study will include both prospectively acquired MRI and blood data in patients with VS (Project A) in addition to collation and analysis of previously acquired retrospective datasets from patients with VS who have been imaged at our centre (Project B). Patients consenting to the prospective arm will be scheduled as part of their routine care to undergo surgical resection . Participants will attend for two visits, with imaging and blood collection at each visit, so that the short-medium term (≤ 4 weeks) repeatability of the MRI biomarkers can be evaluated.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0064
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion