Results from five first in human studies released during the World Molecular Imaging Congress (WMIC) provide important new insight for discovery, detection, immunotherapy response and surgical options for patients with colorectal, breast, ovarian, prostate, head and neck cancers. They include findings demonstrating new or refined methods for visualizing and understanding the most highly diagnosed cancers at a molecular level.
Intraoperative optical imaging of peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin using a VEGF targeted fluorescent tracer – Results of the Hi-Light study, a first in human imaging study
Presented by Niels J. Harlaar, M.D. Ph.D. University of Groningen
The authors tested a near-infrared fluorescent tracer targeting VEGF-A, in combination with an intraoperative camera system. Seven patients were analyzed. In two patients the method detected cancer tissue that was initially missed by inspection and palpation. The high sensitivity (100%) of fluorescent imaging gives the surgeon potentially a real-time tool for intraoperative decision-making. This indicates that this technique could prevent both undertreatment (complete detection of malignant lesions) and overtreatment (non-malignant lesions that do not require resection).
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Note: This is the 2nd presentation in the session, starting at approximately 12:00.
Access to the WMIC 2015 presentations is free of charge with simple sign-in.
First in human study of [18F]F-AraG, a PET tracer for monitoring anti-tumor immune response during cancer immunotherapy
Presented by S. S. Gambhir, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University
The authors obtained an exploratory investigational new drug (IND # 123591) approval from USA FDA to analyze the kinetics, dosimetry and safety of [18F]F-AraG in healthy human volunteers. F-AraG accumulates in CD3/CD28 antibody activated human T cells at a 10 fold higher level than in naive T cells in mice. Accumulation in these tumors is due primarily to the presence of activated T cells. First in human results show that clinical trials should proceed to include cancer patients for assessment F-AraG ability to monitor anti-tumor immune response during cancer immunotherapy. The author noted that several clinical trials at multiple centers are in progress. They believe that F-AraG will help to optimize patient outcomes on an individual basis allowing better more precise knowledge to continue or change an immunotherapy. The author stated a conflict of interest, as he is a founder of CellSight, which has IP rights for F-AraG.
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Note: This is the 3rd presentation in the session, starting at approximately 22:40.
Access to the WMIC 2015 presentations is free of charge with simple sign-in.
First Clinical Trial on Safety and Feasibility of KDR-targeted Ultrasound Molecular Imaging in Patients with Breast and Ovarian Lesions
Presented by Juergen Willmann, M.D., Stanford University
The study is the first in woman clinical trial on using ultrasound molecular imaging in patients with breast and ovarian lesions. The study showed that the molecularly-targeted contrast agent BR55 is safe in humans and allows visualization of a molecular marker such as KDR non-invasively with ultrasound, without exposing patients to ionizing radiation. This is of paramount importance for helping the field of ultrasound molecular imaging to further develop and expand into various other potential clinical applications.
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Note: This is the 4th presentation in the session, starting at approximately 35:13.
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Metabolic dynamics of hyperpolarized [1-13C] pyruvate in human prostate cancer
Presented by Kristin Granlund, Ph.D., Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Pyruvate can be a metabolic marker of early tumor formation. By using MRSI imaging to rapidly assess how Pyruvate is metabolized, the authors hope to distinguish healthy and abnormal tissues utilizing changes in cancer metabolism as this is of great need in the staging of castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Funding sources for the research were provided by Pelican fellowship, Peter Michael Foundation, NIH/NCI grants, Mr. William H. and Mrs. Alice Goodwin and the Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research, The Center for Experimental Therapeutics of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
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Note: This is the 7th presentation in the session, starting at approximately 56:30.
Access to the WMIC 2015 presentations is free of charge with simple sign-in.
Fluorescence-guided Surgical Navigation in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
Presented by Jason Warram, Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham
The authors proposed a method of ‘seeing’ cancer in the operating room using fluorescence-guidance with cancer-specific antibodies would have the potential to significantly change surgical outcomes. The authors believe that at some point every surgical procedure will utilize some form of cancer specific identification to assist the surgeon in identifying cancer from normal tissue. Currently removal of these tumors is devastating, with both cosmetic and functional detriment for these patients. By enabling the surgeon to remove all the cancer while salvaging all uninvolved normal tissue, we hope that this technique will improve overall survival and ability for patients to swallow and speak after their surgery.
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Note: This is the 7th presentation in the session, starting at approximately 1:07:26.
Access to the WMIC 2015 presentations is free of charge with simple sign-in.