Pulmonary Research
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of two commonly co-existing diseases of the lungs in which the airway walls are remodeled and the lung parenchyma is destroyed. This causes a limitation of airflow to and from the lungs resulting in shortness of breath. Unlike asthma, the limitation of airflow is poorly reversible and typically worsens over time. COPD is predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030 (according to WHO estimates) emphasizing the importance of discovering and effectively studying new compounds.
VirtualScopics has studied COPD utilizing CT to provide a non-invasive anatomic assessment and a densitometry map of the lungs. With this map we can determine the extent of the disease. The endpoints (i.e. percent wall area) used in this assessment rely on specific density values, thus it is very important to ensure a consistently calibrated CT machine is utilized. This is where the importance of working with an experienced central reader is realized in determining the success of your trial.
VirtualScopics' stringent site pre-qualification, certification and maintenance ensure all imaging sites are providing consistent and accurate measurements. We also monitor sites throughout the trial to maintain strict adherence to the imaging protocol. This is especially important in the measurement of airway remodeling.
Airway remodeling is more difficult to measure accurately and consistently than are the density measurements. Many researchers have attempted to extract airway wall measurements directly from the two-dimensional slices with limited success. The reproducibility of these techniques is heavily dependent upon positioning, airway orientation, selection of airways, and the algorithm used to determine the boundaries. Airways are three-dimensional structures, and thus are much better suited to volumetric analysis - the analysis perfected by VirtualScopics. The use of three-dimensional modeling and segmentation such that VirtualScopics pioneered, reduces the measurement variability inherent in the two-dimensional techniques and produces more consistent and reliable numbers.