Mapping Molecular Markers of Brain Tumour Activity Using MRI

Regions of tumour whose cells (the building blocks of the tumour) are actively multiplying generate a particular type of molecular footprint (consisting of various types of proteins) compared to tumours whose cells are relatively stable. In addition, tumour cells begin to develop a network of blood vessels that not only supply them with nutrients and oxygen, but also provide a pathway for tumour spread. There is a critical period between when these proteins and blood vessel network develops, and when tumour growth is visible using current MRI scanning. Therefore, making the process of tumour activity visible on clinical MRI scans is an important step in demonstrating and anticipating tumour growth. The study aims to do this by utilising various novel and non-invasive MRI techniques. This project is a collaboration between research groups at King's College London (UK) and the Erasmus University Rotterdam (The Netherlands). The novel MRI techniques will be incorporated into the pre-surgical imaging protocol of patients with primary brain tumours. The images will be compared with molecular measurements made from biopsies taken during surgery to show that they accurately map where activity is high and low within the tumour.