Experimental Methods in MR of Cancer
Martin O. Leach, Anwar Padhani, Organizers

Sunday 7 May, 08:30 - 17:15

Overview:
This one-day course aims to provide an introduction to and outline of developing MR techniques for non-invasively, experimentally or clinically assessing the effects of molecular processes contributing to or controlling the development of cancer. MR measurement methods will be described and explained in the context of these molecular processes, together with associated laboratory or clinical methods for directly evaluating or inhibiting cellular processes or genotype. These approaches are relevant to diagnosis, assessment of tumor grade, and likelihood of metastatic spread, and to the pre-clinical and clinical assessment of novel anti-cancer therapies.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this session participants should be able to:
• Describe how MRS can demonstrate upregulation or inhibition of important pathways in cancer, in cell and xenograft models;
• Explain the role of choline in cellular metabolism, what MRS shows and how it may be affected by the cancer phenotype and treatment;
• List clinical applications of MR spectroscopy;
• Describe how contrast agents can be used to evaluate vascular function, and how physiological and other modelling parameters can be derived by the use of models;
• Explain the use of intrinsic contrast mechanisms to evaluate vascular function;
• Describe hypoxia in the context of cancer, identifying methods of assessing hypoxia using MR;
• Describe clinical applications relating to tumor vascular support;
• Describe how MAS can be used to assess tumors;
• Identify the likely MR changes resulting from apoptosis; and
• Describe how diffusion measurements can provide information on cancer in experimental models and in patients, and how diffusion may change with treatment.

Audience Description:
This course is designed for those with degree level education in physical, biological or medical sciences, an interest in cancer, and whose current work may be in research training, practice, or clinical training or practice. No special experience is required.