Deuterium Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) for In Vivo Visualization of Rapidly-Dividing Cells

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a prevalent and highly lethal condition affecting stem cell transplant recipients. The need for biopsy often delays identification and treatment of cGVHD and other diseases characterized by the presence of rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer. Unfortunately, biopsies are a painful, invasive and slow procedure, which cause discomfort to patients and do not yield rapid results. Because rapid, reliable, and early detection of cGVHD, and other diseases or conditions characterized by the presence of rapidly dividing cells, can improve the long-term prognosis of the patient, there is a need for faster and less invasive diagnostic methods.Researchers at the National Cancer Institute ’s Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch (NCI ETIB) have developed an improved method for detection of diseases characterized by the presence of rapidly-dividing cells, as validated inin vitro studies. This method involves the use of deuterated water as a label for dynamic measurement ofin vivo cellular kinetics. Importantly, this imaging method is non-invasive, and does not use any radioactive isotopes. The use of this labeling methodin vivo, in conjunction with MRI modalities such as deuterium MRI [dMRI] or17O MRI, could illuminate disease-specific pathophysiology, identify targets for therapeutic interventions, and facilitate diagnosis of conditions characterized by rapidly dividing cells.The NCI seeks licensees for this technology. If you ...
Source: NIH OTT Licensing Opportunities - Category: Research Authors: Source Type: research