IMAGEOMICS

IMAGEOMICS

Optimizing Benefit/Risk Ratio in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Radiotherapy: Identifying Molecular, Cellular and Imaging Signatures of Breast Cancer Heterogeneity to Improve Personalized Therapeutic Strategies for Synergistic Treatment Combinations

Project news

BIOMODr - breast training course
17.1.2025
"BIOMODr - breast" training course will be held on 23 - 27 June 2025 in Pavia, Italy.
IMAGEOMICS kick-off meeting
3.9.2024
The online kick-off meeting of the IMAGEOMICS project took place on 31 May and 4 June.
First deliverable of IMAGEOMICS project
11.7.2024
Data Management Plan of IMAGEOMICS project is delivered.

Project objectives and goals:

The main aims of IMAGEOMICS are to improve benefit/risk ratio of breast cancer (BC) patients by identifying patients with a predicted favourable response to combined radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapy and to develop new imaging modality with increased diagnostic potential and reduced ionizing radiation exposure. These aims will be realized through the following specific objectives: a) investigate how RT influences immunogenic heterogeneity of BC cells of different molecular subtypes using in vitro and in vivo approaches; b) test the applicability of nanoparticles for X ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) to be used for the detection of BC heterogeneity; c) to identify local and systemic signatures that predict patient benefit from combined RT and immunotherapy and test their clinical applicability; d) to integrate data retrieved from experimental models and human studies with epidemiological data to build up a protocol for optimal patient stratification.

Schematic workflow




WP1
Leader: National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGyK), Hungary

Objectives:
Investigate how radiotherapy (RT) influences immunogenic heterogeneity of breast cancer (BC) cells of different molecular subtypes using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Test the applicability and suitability of nanoparticles for the characterisation and detection of BC heterogeneity through X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI) and tomography (XFCT). Identify local and systemic signatures that predict patient benefit from combined RT and immunotherapy and test their clinical applicability. Integrate data from experimental models and human studies with epidemiological data to build a protocol for optimal patient stratification.

WP2
Leader: Otto von Guericke University (OvGU), Germany

Objectives:
WP2 will develop and optimise a prototype XFI system by means of simulation and experiments for breast cancer models, identify potential XFI-based image phenotypes from targeted nanoparticles for tissue characterisation, and follow if radiation response from RT can be detectable.  
It will be investigated if the impact of RT is detectable from corresponding interactions between BC cells, immune cells, or other components of the tumor stroma through in vitro and in vivo-mimicking approaches.

WP3
Leader: University of Pavia (UNIPV), Italy

Objectives:
WP3 will work with ex-vivo human BC samples, screening for molecular signatures of RT application and immune system activation with several techniques, including spatial multiomics, as well as analysing in vitro the interactions of cancer cells isolated from these samples and maintained in co-culture with patient-derived lymphocytes. 

WP4
Leader: Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Spain
Objectives:
Investigate state of knowledge and data availability on outcomes of combined breast cancer treatments by tumor types and characteristics to identify patient groups with predictive values for combined RT and immunotherapy.

WP5
Leader: National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGyK), Hungary

Objectives:
Coordinate the project, manage dissemination and education and training strategies, and handle data management.

Project coordinator

Géza Sáfrány, National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, Budapest, Hungary

Project partners

National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy
European Alliance for Medical Radiation Protection Research
Otto von Guericke University
Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas
Barcelona Institute for Global Health
Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development
Hungary
Austria
Germany
Spain
Spain
Italy
University of Pavia
Italy