National Cancer Institute Initiative: Lung image database resource for imaging research

Preliminary clinical studies suggest that spiral computed tomography (CT) o f the lungs can improve early detection of lung cancer in high-risk individ uals. More clinical studies are needed, however, before public health recom mendations can be proposed for population-based screening. Spiral CT genera tes large-volume data sets and thus poses problems in terms of implementati on of efficient and cost-effective screening methods. Image processing algo rithms such as computer assisted diagnostic (CAD) methods have the potentia l to assist in lesion leg, nodule) detection on spiral CT studies. CAD meth ods may also be used to characterize nodules by either assessing the stabil ity or change in size of lesions based on evaluation of serial CT studies, or quantitatively measuring the temporal parameters related to contrast dyn amics when using contrast material-enhanced CT studies. CAD methods therefo re have the potential to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of spiral CT lung screening studies. Lung cancer screening studies now under investig ation create an opportunity to develop an image database that will allow co mparison and optimization of CAD algorithms. This database could serve as a n important national resource for the academic and industrial research comm unity that is currently involved in the development of CAD methods, The Nat ional Cancer Institute request for applications (RFA) (CA-01-001) has alrea dy been announced (April 2000) to establish and support a consortium of aca demic centers to develop this database, the consortium to be referred to as the Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC). This RFA is now closed. Five ac ademic sites have been selected to be members of the LIDC, the first meetin g 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 publishe d RFA to serve as an example of how an initiative is developed by the Natio nal Cancer Institute to support a research resource. For specific details o f the RFA, please access the following Internet site: http://www.nci.nih.go v/bip/NCI-DIPinisumm.htm#a11.