Cancer Imaging
A major objective of the DDI Group is to assemble a portfolio of imaging biomarkers in parallel with the discovery of each new targeted agent. These imaging biomarkers are key in the discovery and qualification of novel targeted therapies. Biomarkers are utilised to facilitate mechanistic studies in early phase clinical trials conducted by the Clinical and Translational or Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Research Groups.
The DDI Group has expertise in two key imaging technologies: magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET), and has established pre-clinical and clinical research facilities for both MR and PET. Current imaging research priorities are:
- The discovery of MR and PET biomarkers for the clinical evaluation of PARP inhibitors and other targeted agents identified by the DDI Group
- The qualification of [18F]FDG (2-[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose) and [18F]FLT (3΄-deoxy-3΄-[18F]-fluorothymidine) as proof-of-concept pharmacodynamic and/or surrogate response biomarkers for targeted therapies
- The development of microfluidic and batch radiochemistry for the synthesis of novel PET radiotracers, and their application to pre-clinical studies – in collaboration with Dr Mike Carroll, School of Chemistry
- The evaluation of optimised lanthanide-based MR contrast agents designed to provide quantitative insights into tumour physiology and biochemistry – in collaboration with Professor David Parker, University of Durham
