Molecular magnetic resonance imaging for tumour targeting

Baio, Gabriella (2019) Molecular magnetic resonance imaging for tumour targeting. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

During my postgraduate training in Radiology at the University of Genoa, Italy, I developed research projects on the application of molecular magnetic resonance imaging for tumour targeting. Molecular imaging (MI) aims to provide “pictures of what is happening inside the body at molecular and cellular level”. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been applied to many aspects of MI. Although it offers better temporal and spatial resolution than other methodologies, it is less sensitive for molecular or cellular activities, and therefore there is a need to develop more efficient contrast agents. The publications included in this PhD thesis demonstrate the successful application of two classes of MRI contrast agents: ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIO) and manganese (Mn2+). Novel USPIO-antibody-conjugated probes for investigating lymphoma tumours were applied, and the potential of labelling natural killer cells by SPIO was demonstrated, offering a great opportunity for in vivo investigation of these lymphocytes that play an essential role in cell-based immune defence. The development of a birdcage prototype coil for a clinical 3T MR scanner with a commercial scientific collaboration was carried out. Research projects for investigating tumour calcium metabolism and risk of bone metastases were developed preclinically (by using Mn2+ in human preclinical cancer animal models) and clinically (by using in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate human breast cancer). An in vivo Manganese-enhanced-MRI (MEMRI) technique to visualise brown adipose tissue, its physiopathology, and its role in breast or prostate cancer progression, has been included as well. The last research projects carried out as the conclusion of this PhD were focused on: 1) the development of a novel USPIO-MR imaging approach to monitor chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), induced by interfering with both miR-15 and miR-16 expression; and 2) evaluating response to a potential treatment with the use of miRNA mimics or inhibitors.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Publication
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Users 11011 not found.
Date Deposited:	02 Dec 2019 13:28
Last Modified:	02 Dec 2019 13:28
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/73228
DOI:

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