Multiscale morphological characterization of human Glioblastoma Multiforme

The objective of this study is to evaluate morphologic parameters of the human Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain tumor by applying multi-scale X-ray phase contrast tomography (X-PCI-CT). GBM biopsies are studied extensively by non-invasive imaging, by histopathology and by molecular genetics to characterize different biologic subtypes to be correlated with the treatment outcome and illness progression. The goals of this study are:
1. to characterize GBM morphology by using high-resolution X-PCI-CT virtual histology and three-dimensionally (3D) visualize information that are not accessible with histopathology;
2. to correlate morphologic information unique to X-PCI-CT (e.g. 3D microvasculature and 3D cell stratification) with parameters from non-invasive imaging, histopathology and molecular genetics;
3. to study the predictive value of X-PCI-CT parameters on disease classification and progression.
Results of this study could tremendously affect diagnosis and therapy of GBM.

本研究旨在通过应用多尺度X射线相衬断层扫描（X-ray phase contrast tomography，X-PCI-CT）评估人类多形性胶质母细胞瘤（Glioblastoma Multiforme，GBM）脑肿瘤的形态学参数。GBM活检样本通过无创成像、组织病理学及分子遗传学手段得到广泛研究，以表征不同的生物学亚型，并将其与治疗结局及疾病进展相关联。本研究的目标如下：
1. 利用高分辨率X-PCI-CT虚拟组织学技术表征GBM形态特征，并三维（3D）可视化组织病理学无法获取的信息；
2. 将X-PCI-CT特有的形态学信息（如3D微血管结构及3D细胞分层）与无创成像、组织病理学及分子遗传学的参数相关联；
3. 探究X-PCI-CT参数对疾病分类及进展的预测价值。
本研究结果可能对GBM的诊断与治疗产生重大影响。