I read an article from the researchers at Case Western Reserve University that have developed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent that can detect much smaller aggressive breast cancer tumors and micrometastases than current agents can identify. Zheng-Rong Lu, a professor of biomedical engineering and the leader of this research states “Currently, there is no imaging technology in clinical use that can detect tumors or metastases smaller than 2 millimeters in diameter, this can detect them as small as 300 microns-- a few hundred cells.” The most common cause of breast cancer deaths is metastasis, which is the development of secondary malignant growths a distance from a primary site of cancer. If caught early and treated, scientists believe it can increase the chances of survival. The article states that the key to earlier detection is a small peptide gadolinium based MRI contrast agent that binds to molecular markers, called fibrin-fibronectin complexes. The small peptide is a chain of five amino acids called CERKA for short, the peptide doesn’t attach to healthy tissues. Professor Lu states, “ We not only detect the tumor, but detect its aggressiveness.” As I wrote in one of my daily reflections, the researchers tested the agent on mice bearing breast cancer metastases. Signals generated during a molecular MRI showed the agent was effective at delineating primary tumors and micrometastases in the lung, liver lymph node, adrenal gland, bone and brain as small as 300 micrometers. Lu and his colleagues plan to pursue tests proving the agent is safe and hope to begin clinical trials within three years. The researches are also working to make the agent more tumor-specific by tweaking the technology to detect prostate cancer.
This agent is very exciting if you think about it, it has the potential to change lives!
This agent is very exciting if you think about it, it has the potential to change lives!