Karen Kurdziel

Gateway Building   VCU Molecular Imaging Center   Virginia Commonwealth University   1200 East Marshall St.   Richmond, VA 23298	Tel: 804-827-4984 Fax: 804-828-6129 E-mail: kurdziel@hsc.vcu.edu
Web: www.molecularimaging.vcu.edu
Research: Molecular imaging to evaluate anti-angiogenic therapies in advanced cancer

BBSI project: Validation of micro-Positron Emission Tomography image data

The microPET scanner images the distribution of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers in small rodents (ie. transgenic mice). Non-invasive, in-vivo imaging with the microPET allows for serial and longitudinal studies in the same animal, providing the opportunity to follow a single animal over time and to monitor the effects of interventions on disease progression and outcome. Validation of image data to more traditional biodistribution and autoradiographic methods needs to be performed to ensure that the image data can be used in place of the conventional methods.

BBSI project: Evaluation of the new PET tracer F-18 paclitaxel as an in vivo marker of multidrug resistance

Over-expression of the membrane pump P-glycoprotein (Pgp) results in multidrug resistance (MDR), a common cause of cancer treatment failure. Pgp actively removes drugs from the tumor cells. Paclitaxel is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent, and MDR often complicates its use. The PET department at the NIH has developed an efficient radiosynthesis for [18F] paclitaxel (F PAC), which is a substrate of the Pgp pump. Because [18F] is a positron emitter, the in vivo kinetics of FPAC can be measured using positron emission tomography (PET). It is expected that, by measuring the kinetics of FPAC in tumors, the function of Pgp in vivo can be estimated. This proposal intends to obtain preliminary evidence that FPAC PET biodistribution and PET kinetic imaging parameters correspond to the measured expression of Pgp in a mouse xenograft model.

BBSI project: Optimization of ⁸²Rb PET clinical protocol

⁸²Rb PET imaging of myocardial perfusion in patients can be used in place traditional SPECT myocardial imaging. The advantages include shorter imaging time and ability to correct for soft tissue and attenuation. Currently there are less than 20 centers national wide using ⁸²Rb and the imaging protocol needs to be optimized in order to provide high quality, reproducible images. The 76s half life of ⁸²Rb is a challenge as images need to be acquired in such a fashion as to obtain adequate counts while minimizing blood pool (background) activity and maintaining a safe patient dose.

Selected Bibliography

Kontos MC, Kurdziel KA, McQueen RH, Arrowood JA, Paulsen WHP, Jesse RL, Ornato JP, Tatum JL, Nixon JV. Comparability of myocardial perfusion imaging and echocardiography for identifying myocardial infarction in Emergency Department patients with chest pain. American Heart Journal (2002) 143:659-67.

Kurdziel KA, Bacharach SL, Carrasquillo JA, Huebsch S, Whatley M, Sellers D, Steinberg S, Libutti SK, Pluda J, Reed E, Dahut W, Figg WD. Using PET 18F-FDG, 11CO, and 15O-water for monitoring prostate cancer during a phase II anti-angiogenic drug trial with Thalidomide. Molecular Imaging and Biology (2003) 5:86-93.

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