Bryan Bednarz PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Sean B. Fain PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Grant, General Electric Company Research Consultant, Marvel Medtech, LLC

Jeremy Gordon, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Myriam Bouchlaka, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christian Capitini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Given the cross talk between cancer and the host immune system, there is a compelling need to monitor immunogenic responses in vivo during radiotherapy treatment. Over the last year our collaboration has been working toward (1) developing the nonradioactive isotope fluorine-19 (19F), as a novel, clinically applicable tracking agent for immune cells using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and (2.) investigating if local irradiation of tumors augments expression of “danger signals” that recruit and activates immune cells using 19F MRI.

Using a high-resolution Varian 4.7 Tesla small animal MRI scanner several we have developed and optimize a 19F MR imaging platform that uses a volumetric fluorine coil. We have labeled human NK cells with 19F-PFPE and injected these labeled cells intravenously in immunocompromised mice. The mice were scanned ~1, 24, 48, 72, 120 hours after injection.

Initial optimization experiments have demonstrated excellent SNR uniformity provided by the volume coil. Excellent signal linearity was demonstrated by acquiring images of phantom vials with increasing concentrations of 19F-PFPE. We have also demonstrated the ability to perform whole-body NK cell trafficking. We have verified that NK cells injected into immunocompromised mice trafficked to the liver and spleen.

We are currently investigating the immunogenic response following irradiation of subcutaneous tumors in mice. The ability to monitor immune cell trafficking during therapy will help optimize the synergistic effects of radiation cytotoxicity and the host immune system.

The ability to monitor the host immune system response during radiation therapy will help elucidate a more optimal treatment course for individual patients.

Bednarz, B, Fain, S, Gordon, J, Bouchlaka, M, Capitini, C, Immune Cell Trafficking during Radiation Therapy—A Potential Predictive Marker for Therapeutic Response.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13022612.html