Estimating drug delivery using hybrid system for simultaneous dynamic MRI and fluorescence tomography

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Molecular Imaging
• Optical Tomography

Background:

• Optical tomography combined with MRI provides noninvasive functional information for specific anatomical structures.
• MRI-coupled paired agent fluorescence molecular tomography (MRI-PAFT) is a hybrid modality for in vivo drug-target engagement quantification.
• MRI-PAFT utilizes both targeted and untargeted fluorescence agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the uptake kinetics of MRI contrast and fluorescence agents in tumor and normal tissues.
• To demonstrate the potential of MRI contrast agent kinetics and targeted fluorescence agent kinetics for quantifying targeted tumor receptor concentration.
• To validate MRI-PAFT in a glioma tumor model.

Main Methods:

• Utilized MRI-coupled paired agent fluorescence molecular tomography (MRI-PAFT).
• Compared uptake kinetics of MRI contrast agents and fluorescence agents (targeted and untargeted).
• Analyzed agent kinetics in both tumor and normal tissues within a glioma model.

Main Results:

• Differential uptake kinetics observed between MRI contrast agents and fluorescence agents in tumor vs. normal tissue.
• Demonstrated correlation between MRI contrast agent kinetics and targeted fluorescence agent kinetics.
• Successfully quantified targeted tumor receptor concentration using combined kinetic data.

Conclusions:

• MRI-PAFT is a promising hybrid imaging modality for noninvasive drug-target engagement assessment.
• Combined kinetic analysis of MRI contrast and targeted fluorescence agents enables receptor concentration quantification.
• This approach holds potential for evaluating targeted therapies in glioma and other cancers.