A clinical animal MR imager designed for translational research: the 7T Clinscan

University Of Pittsburgh At Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of this grant application is to provide funds towards the purchase of a small animal clinical magnetic resonance (MR) imager with additional research capabilities. The instrument is a 7T ClinscanTM which has the same field strength and operating system as the 7T and two 3T human MR imaging systems housed at the Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MMRC). The key components of this system are the 16 parallel receive channels and the operating system which makes the machine a key instrument in the ability to translate animal research into the clinic. The clinical nature of the instrument provides new MRI biomarkers for monitoring the response of tumors to new cancer treatments in a preclinical phase of research. The research capability enables new methods for acquiring MR images that were developed at the MRRC and which provide for collecting images with extremely high spatial and temporal resolution while allowing for the reduced contribution from susceptibility by using ultrashort (<500 <s) echo times. This lets us collect physiological data relevant to tumors and their blood vessels at this higher field strength. This will allow us to determine maximum tolerate dose (MTD) and predict minimal biologic effective doses for these compounds. Tumor-imaging correlates of biologic effect (relaxivity DCE MRI and MRI&S) will be clarified, and applied in identifying correlates of early treatment response for use in humans. The one to one identity of the operating systems of the animal imager and the human imagers housed at the MRRC make shifting new imaging pulse sequences between the two machines highly efficient. This sort of translation between instruments cannot be accomplished on a basic Bruker Research instrument. In fact the Clinscan is the only MRI designed for translational research. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This instrument is a key translational instrument and enables bench to bedside and back again. By being able to identify MTD, the highest dose that induces a biological response, and identify imaging correlates of early tumor response to treatment we can identify those non responding patients, move them onto more effective therapies earlier, reduce needless exposure to debilitating side effects, and reduce the overall cost of treatment.