Our
investigations on human malignancies work on the interface
between Pathology and Radiology and attempt to establish
alternative pathological procedures based on the current
radiological technologies in general, and magnetic
resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and imaging (MRI) techniques
in particular.
The aims of our research are:
1) to investigate metabolic signatures for the diagnosis
and prognostication of human malignancies which may
be more sensitive and specific than those now available
in clinic. 2) to establish adjunct MRS and MRI protocols
that may improve the accuracy of clinical pathology.
3) to develop linkages between ex vivo tumor evaluation
and in vivo non-invasive diagnosis with MR technologies.
Currently, our projects, sponsored by
the National Cancer Institute, involve human prostate,
breast cancer and brain tumors. We analyze MR spectra
of intact tissue specimens and correlate cellular
metabolites thus measured with quantitative pathology
assisted by immunochemistry, computer image and histomorphometry
analyses. In order to understand the functions and
significance of the metabolites with regards tumor
development and progression, we engage in molecular
tumor biology analyses with the assistance of laser
capture microdissection (LCM), quantitative real time
PCR, etc. On the imaging front, we are investigating
the utility of high field (9.4T) MRI and MR microscopy
on prostatectomy specimens for identification of cancer
foci that may be sampled and evaluated by clinical
pathology.
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