Methods for constructing association maps of imaging data and biological data

Abstract

A method for constructing an association map between imaging features and biological data is described. The method comprises combining one or more image features relating to a clinical subject with biological data and using an algorithm to make predictions based on the features and data.

1 . A method of constructing an association map between imaging features and biological data, comprising:
 identifying one or more imaging features from a plurality of images of a subject;   applying an algorithm to identify relationships between the one or more imaging features and biological data relating to the subject, wherein the identified relationships are used to construct an association map between the one or more imaging features and the biological data;   evaluating the statistical significance of the association map to test its predictive value.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the features from a plurality of images of a subject are associated with a disease. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying comprises identifying one or more imaging features based on frequency of the one or more features in the plurality of images. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying comprises identifying one or more imaging features based on its independence from other features. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said identifying comprises identifying one or more imaging features from images obtained using an imaging technique selected from the group consisting of computerized tomography imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasonography (US), optical imaging, infrared imaging, and x-ray radiography. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the imaging technique comprises the use of an imaging agent or image-enhancing agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying a module networks algorithm. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying an algorithm that applies an iterative Bayesian probabilistic procedure that identifies combinations of imaging features that relate to the biological data. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying an algorithm to gene expression data. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gene expression data is from a DNA microarray assay. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gene expression data is from a cDNA microarray assay. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gene expression data is from an RNA microarray assay. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises applying an algorithm to protein expression data. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluating the statistical significance of the association map comprises evaluating by comparison of the map with permuted data sets. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluating the statistical significance of the association map comprises evaluating by testing the prediction using an independent biological data set, independent images, or both. 
     
     
         16 . A method for predicting a gene or protein expression level in a biological sample, comprising:
 providing an image of the biological sample,   comparing the image to an association map constructed in accord with  claim 1  to predict a gene or protein expression of the biological sample.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, based on the predicting, providing a treatment prognosis of said patient based on the presence and/or absence of certain imaging features. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the providing comprises providing a prediction of a patient's response to a drug. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the providing comprises providing a prediction of a patient's probable survival. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the probable survival is disease free survival. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the providing comprises providing a likelihood of disease recurrence. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the providing comprises providing a likelihood of metastasis. 
     
     
         23 . An association map constructed using the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         24 . An association map constructed using the method of  claim 16 .