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Network for Translational Research: Optical Imaging
Wafik El-Deiry, M.D., Ph.D., Principle Investigator
wafik@mail.med.upenn.edu
University of Pennsylvania
Grant Number: 1U54CA105008-01
Participating Organizations
- Academic: University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Fox Chase Cancer Center
- Industrial: LightForm Inc, 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals Inc, Morphotech Inc, Cell Pathways Inc, Cephalon Inc, 5Star Medical Inc, Versilant Nanotechnologies, NIM Inc
Modalities
Bioluminescent probes, small molecule probes, molecular beacons, optical (near IR dyes) and radioisotope labeled probes, animal PET and SPECT, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, real-time PCR, Northern blotting, Western blotting, fluorescence (pyroglucose, NADH, oxidized flavoproteins), p53 and TRAIL pathway modulations to reverse therapeutic resistance, lead compound synthesis.
Clinical Impact
This team routinely generates novel bioluminescent probes and molecular beacons of small molecules able to reach multiple pathways to image changes in gene expression changes or protein-protein interactions important for cancer development and therapy. There is a strong translational drug development component. This team is complements NTROI goals with strengths that address cell biological questions fundamental to cancer biology and improvements in diagnosis, monitoring progression, predicting outcomes, and improving therapy. They study early detection of colonic neoplasms, lymphatic spread and nodal metastasis, non-invasive imaging of angiogenesis and its correlates in hypoxia, early detection of specific markers of therapeutic response, and toxicity. They have strong probe development capabilities suitable for both optical and nuclear-modality imaging.
Strengths
Cell biology, molecular pathways, gene expression, and small molecular probes and drug development. Clinical dissemination of probes likely would be beyond 5 years due to imaging drug regulatory requirements.
Synergisms with Other Teams
Provides access to probes and molecular beacons with radiolabeled versions for validations, molecular methods able to add insights into cancer biology, and studies of epithelial origin colon cancers that mesh with the epithelial origin breast and esophageal cancers of Teams 1 and 2.
University of Pennsylvania NTROI Imaging Core
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