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Research Programs

Discipline-based Programs

Cancer Imaging

Collaborative Interactions

Collaborative Interactions

The program is supported by a number of different interdisciplinary grants including the following:

Center for Molecular Imaging at Harvard (P50 CA86355, PI: Ralph Weissleder)

This program is organized to attack fundamental imaging research at the cellular and molecular level. There are extensive collaborations with other DFHCC programs such as the Prostate cancer program (Phil Kantoff, Mark Rubin, Anthony Zietman), Lew Cantley, Immunology (von Boehmer, von Andrain, Kash Khazaie, Pittet), Pancreatic Cancer program (DePinho, Bardeesy, Sarah Thayer) among others.

SAIRP (Small Animal Imaging Resource Grant, R24-CA92782, PI: Ralph Weissleder)

There has been a dramatic increase in interest in noninvasive imaging of genetically engineered mouse models over the past several years. The Small Animal Imaging Resources Program (SAIRP) at Harvard, is organized to 1) implement new high resolution imaging capabilities for mice, 2) perform technology development to further improve in vivo detection technology and 3) provide a forum for training in handling and imaging of small laboratory animals. Over the last several years the programs has collaborated with Drs. Ronald DePinho, Linda Chin, William Kaelin, Raju Kucherlapati, Michael Seiden, Xandra Breakefield, David Scadden, Lew Cantley, Bob Carter, Peter Hauschka, Kash Khazaie, Andrew Luster, Robert Bachoo, David Kirsch, Mikael Pittet, Kwok Wong, Michael Seiden and Gregory Verdine.

CCNE (MIT-Harvard Cancer Center , 1-U540CA119349, PI: Robert Langer and Ralph Weissleder)

The central goals of the Harvard-MIT CCNE are to rapidly translate advances in nanotechnology into tools for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and to develop the next generation of nanomaterials for this purpose. There are 5 well-integrated research projects: Project 1 (Robert Langer, Omid Farokhzad) will investigate novel nanoparticle-aptamer conjugates for improved targeting of prostate cancer. Project 2 (Phil Sharp, Sangeeta Bhatia) will develop new siRNA delivery and targeting strategies for use in treatment of lung cancers and glioblastoma. Project 3 (Ralph Weissleder, Lee Josephson) will develop clinically viable, next-generation magnetic nanoparticles for targeted multimodal imaging of cancer. Project 4 (Michael Cima) will develop unique miniaturized devices for molecular sensing. Project 5 (Angela Belcher, Moungi Bawendi) will develop and test novel semiconductor nanocrystals for biomedical sensing and for colon cancer screening. The program also funds a number of pilot projects including those to Drs. Daniel Haber, Mehmet Toner and Sridhar Ramaswamy within the DFHCC.

Clinical trials of new imaging agents (NO1-CM037008, PI: Weissleder)

This program is designed to test novel molecular imaging agents in phase ½ clinical trials.  Currently there are 6 active clinical trials at CMIR supported through the NO1 and which are overseen by Dr. Harisinghani. The program is linked to activities of the Institute of Technology Assessment at MGH under directorship of Scott Gazelle and the Clinical Investigator Training Program (CITP; Robert Ross) at MIT under leadership of Robert H. Rubin.

PDAC PO1 (Genetics and Biology of Pancreatic Duct Adenocarcinoma, 1-PO1-CA117969, PI; Ron dePinho)

The goal of this PO1 is to further elucidate the genetics and biology of the disease to a level that will guide the rational development of effective targeted agents, alone and in combination.  Specifically, the program seeks to (i) refine mouse models of human PDAC in order to understand the tumor biological role of PDAC signature mutations, (ii) identify, validate and characterize new human PDAC oncogenes in order to set the stage or drug discovery, (iii) illuminate and validate the role of the P13K pathway in PDAC using mouse and human systems with the goal of identifying key therapeutic targets and guiding clinical trials targeting this pathway, (iv) utilize genetically engineered mice and human tumors to define signaling events governing the evolution and maintenance of the PDAC microenvironment, and to use this information to design and conduct innovative preclinical trials in refined  mouse models of human PDAC, (v) determine the PDAC cell of origin and its genetic events in the mouse so as to illuminate a possible path to chemoprevention, and (vii) identify and characterize PDAC cancer stem cells in murine and human tumors. Interactions. The Imaging Program plays a key role in developing new imaging probes for pancreatic cancers and actively interacts with all Projects of the PO1.

Doris Duke grant (Fluorescent Probes for the Detection and Evaluation of Occult Ovarian Cancer, 20030022, PI: Michael Seiden, MD, PhD)

This collaborative research develops, test, and use novel imaging equipment and novel imaging agents to better evaluate the peritoneal cavity in individuals with either ovarian cancer or clinically localized pancreatic cancer.  The technology and molecularly targeted near infrared probes are positioned to more intelligently determine the best surgical and systemic approaches to the treatment of both ovarian and pancreatic cancer. There are extensive interactions between the imaging program and the ovarian cancer program.

Renal Cancer Spore (DF/HCC Renal Cancer SPORE, Developmental Project, 1-P50-CA101942 PI: Robert Ross, MD)

The aim of this trial is to validate the use of long circulating monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticles (MION) in evaluating renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumor vascularity.  These agents – outgrowths of nanotechnology – are useful because they represent bonafide intravascular markers in which steady state MRI measurements can be made. This clinical trial compares the vascular volume fraction of RCC with pathologic measures of vessel density. Patients with a 2 cm or larger kidney cancer undergo MRI imaging with MION, then these associations are evaluated after nephrectomy. This trial is very collaborative, with participation from the MGH pathology group (Dr. Chin-Lee Wu), BWH pathology group (Dr. Sabina Signoretti) and MGH Department of Urology (lead by Dr. Shahin Tabatabaei).