Mapping Tumor Heterogeneity:Landscape and Challenges in Habitat Imaging
10.3969/j.issn.1005-5185.2025.09.001
- VernacularTitle:肿瘤异质性的空间解析:生境成像的研究现状与挑战
- Author:
Xu BAI
1
;
Haiyi WANG
Author Information
1. 解放军总医院第五医学中心放射诊断科,北京 100039
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Neoplasms;
Heteroplasmy;
Multiomics;
Habitat imaging;
Radiomics;
Precise medicine;
Artificial intelligence
- From:
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging
2025;33(9):897-899
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Tumor heterogeneity is a central cause of treatment resistance and poor prognosis.Habitat imaging,an emerging paradigm in medical image analysis,decomposes tumors into distinct subregions-known as"habitats"-with varying pathophysiological features through unsupervised clustering and other computational methods.This approach enables spatial visualization and quantitative characterization of the tumor microenvironment,offering a feasible tool for non-invasive assessment of tumor heterogeneity.This commentary outlines the technical principles of habitat imaging,elaborates on its methodology for generating habitat maps based on multimodal imaging and clustering algorithms,and highlights its performance-particularly when integrated with radiomics-in predicting treatment response,survival outcomes and genetic profiles.Although it shows promising potential across various cancer types,including glioblastoma and breast cancer,the clinical translation of habitat imaging still faces multiple challenges.Future progress will require standardization,improved biological validation and rigorous clinical trials to advance precision oncology.
