Vibrational shear wave elastography to optimise therapy monitoring
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identifying the challenges and benefits of using a new ultrasound imaging technique for assessing how well a treatment for cancer is working
IRAS ID
326884
Contact name
Patrick Kierkegaard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Imaging can be used to find out if a cancer treatment is working or not. We use Computer Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging to measure the size of the tumour. If the tumour has shrunk or is no longer visible on the images, the treatment is working. Patients living with cancer often wait weeks or months to find out if their treatment has worked well. There is good evidence to show that tumours soften after treatment. This occurs before they reduce in size.
We have developed a new ultrasound imaging technique called vibrational shear wave elastography which can measure the stiffness of tumours. This new type of non-invasive medical imaging technique uses a small vibrator touching the patient’s skin to help form the images. The system is not fully developed yet but we intend to design the technique so that it feels like a normal ultrasound scan.
This new technique will show doctors if the cancer treatment is working weeks before the tumour shrinks and help doctors tailor treatment according to the response. But before we finish the design of the device, we need to find out what patients, medical staff, and manufacturers think about it, how to improve it, and how to integrate it into the NHS.
Summary of Results
This study explored whether a new ultrasound method, called vibrational shear wave elastography, could help doctors understand earlier during treatment whether treatment for head and neck cancer is working. We spoke with 26 staff members across two specialist UK cancer centres, including doctors, radiologists, radiographers, nurses, sonographers and other health professionals.
The study found that an earlier ultrasound scan would only be useful if it answered a clear clinical question and could change what happens next for the patient. Staff did not think this type of scan should automatically be used for everyone. Instead, they thought it might be most helpful for selected patients when there is uncertainty during treatment and when earlier information could lead to closer review, further tests or a change in care.
Staff also said that any result from this scan would need to be reliable, comparable over time, easy for the wider clinical team to review, and carefully explained to patients. Overall, the study suggests that this ultrasound approach has promise, but earlier measurement on its own is not enough. More work is needed to show that the scan is accurate, repeatable and practical to use in the NHS, and that it improves decision-making for patients.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/0451
Date of REC Opinion
25 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion