Radiomics Quality Score 2.0: towards radiomics readiness levels and clinical translation for personalized medicine

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Philippe Lambin - , Maastricht University (Author)
  • Henry C. Woodruff - , Maastricht University (Author)
  • Shruti Atul Mali - , Maastricht University (Author)
  • Xian Zhong - , Maastricht University, Sun Yat-Sen University (Author)
  • Sheng Kuang - , Maastricht University (Author)
  • Elizaveta Lavrova - , Maastricht University, University of Liege (Author)
  • Hamza Khan - , Maastricht University, Hasselt University (Author)
  • Karim Lekadir - , University of Barcelona, ICREA - Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (Author)
  • Alex Zwanenburg - , National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), OncoRay - National Centre for Radiation Research in Oncology (Author)
  • Joseph Deasy - , Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (Author)
  • Maciej Bobowicz - , Medical University of Gdańsk (Author)
  • Luis Marti-Bonmati - , Distributed Network for Biomedical Imaging Unique Scientific and Technical Infra-structures (Author)
  • Andrew Maidment - , University of Pennsylvania Health System (Author)
  • Michel Dumontier - , Maastricht University (Author)
  • Paul E. Kinahan - , University of Washington (Author)
  • J. Martijn Nobel - , Maastricht University, Maastricht University Medical Centre (UMC+) (Author)
  • Sina Amirrajab - , Maastricht University (Author)
  • Zohaib Salahuddin - , Maastricht University (Author)

Abstract

Radiomics is a tool for medical imaging analysis that could have a relevant role in precision oncology by offering precise quantitative support for clinical decision-making. The Radiomics Quality Score (RQS) is a tool developed to assess the rigour of radiomics studies that has now been widely adopted by researchers. Although RQS version 1.0 established a benchmark, an updated framework is required to account for evolving knowledge and ensure optimal evaluation of the quality of radiomics studies through the inclusion of fairness, explainability, rigorous quality control and harmonization. In this Review, we introduce the updated RQS 2.0, which maintains the scientific rigour of its predecessor and addresses these contemporary needs, and therefore could potentially accelerate clinical translation. Moreover, we introduce the radiomics readiness levels, inspired by the technology readiness level framework, which are integrated in RQS 2.0 and reflect nine distinct levels of incremental improvement in radiomics research with the ultimate aim of clinical implementation. We also detail anticipated future directions in radiomics, outlining a strategic vision to advance precision oncology, which is the ultimate aim of RQS 2.0.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)831-846
Number of pages16
JournalNature Reviews Clinical Oncology
Volume22
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 40903523

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas