Metabolic Imaging with RF Antennas to predict Chemotherapy Efficacy

ended

Metabolic Imaging with RF Antennas to predict Chemotherapy Efficacy: We will validate the phospholipid biomarker that can predict response of chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer using the most powerful MRI system in the world. In particular the ratio of phosphoethanolamine (PE) to glycerophosphocholine (GPC), metabolites from the build up and breakdown of cell membranes, have been shown to increase accuracy in prediction of chemotherapy response from 75% to 96% [1]. At the clinically available field strength of 7T, we have recently demonstrated that we can image these phospholipid biomarkers non-invasively. In order to assess accuracy and bring the detection of the biomarker to FDA approval, we will spin out a validation study to investigate the accuracy in detecting the biomarker by comparing the results from the same subjects obtained at clinical MRI as well as at 10.5T MRI. The innovation idea is linked to the Non-Invasive-Chemistry-Imaging (NICI) project of FET-OPEN-01-2016-2017-801075. More specifically to the deliverable D6.1: “List of groups and stakeholders for targeted dissemination”. Here the potential of the NICI project that uses multi-nuclear 7T MRI in patients with metastasis in liver was shown to the stakeholders in breast cancer imaging (joint meeting of International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) with EUropean Society Of Breast Imaging (Eusobi) in Las Vegas 2018). The importance of imaging chemistry was immediately recognised by all medical doctors present (radiology, surgery and oncology), and fast track to FDA clearance was discussed. By establishing a small consortium of the UMC Utrecht that leads the project, a newly formed spin out company that provides the 7T and 10.5T specific hardware, and University of Minnesota that has access to patients and houses the world’s strongest MRI, we will conduct the biomarker validation in 10 subjects scanned at both systems.