Enhanced DCE-MRI Imaging of Ovarian Cancer

The recent introduction of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) permits noninvasive imaging of vascular function and characterization of angiogenesis. This emerging capability is critically important in staging disease and screening for cancer. The primary goal of this project is development of fundamental improvements in DCE-MRI image analysis to provide increased sensitivity to subtle vascular changes and to enable quantification of the inherent heterogeneity of tumor perfusion at high spatial resolution. These new methods will be tested on: (1) two cohorts of ovarian cancer patients being treated with novel angiogenesis inhibitors, to assess performance for early evaluation of treatment response, and (2) on an ovarian cancer animal model, to assess performance for noninvasive screening for early detection of ovarian cancer. Our team has expertise in quantitative medical imaging and commercialization of novel medical devices for surgery and imaging, and includes a radiologist well-known for his expertise in noninvasive assessment of treatment response, and a veterinary scientist with expertise in animal models of ovarian cancer.