5. What are the advantages of imaging biomarkers?

• Compared with measurements made on biological specimens such as blood tests or biopsy, there is less sampling bias – measurement can be made from regions of all lesions, plus normal tissue.
• Imaging is relatively non-invasive allowing regular follow-up.
• PET/CT and MRI devices are widely available in cancer centers and already used in patient care.  Combined PET/MRI is on its way.
• Imaging offers pharmacodynamic biomarkers at the level of cell phenotype or local physiology – downstream of the drug’s molecular target.