Mission Statement
The mission of the Molecular Imaging Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute is to provide researchers, clinicians, and the people of Utah with the most advanced molecular imaging technologies, including radiopharmaceuticals and instrumentation; to enable the highest quality research; and to assist clinicians in diagnosing disease and monitoring therapy.
The Vision
In the past ten years, knowledge in molecular biology has developed rapidly, creating a revolution in basic understandings of human diseases. The human and mouse genomes are now known. The genes responsible for many diseases have been described. The pathways, proteins, and processes responsible for human diseases such as various types of cancers are better understood. In addition, there have been remarkable advances in imaging technology and methods, including MRI, PET, and optical imaging.
Biologic processes in the cells and molecules of living organisms can be seen and measured with molecular imaging. These imaging techniques have already proven their potential in radiology. With molecular imaging, doctors now have new, non-invasive ways to diagnose and stage cancers.
The Molecular Imaging (MI) Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute works to use these techniques to help scientists translate the molecular biology of disease into clinical practice. The techniques may make it possible to predict the way patients will respond to certain drugs, treatments, and therapies.
Currently, molecular imaging is mainly used in the laboratory to study mouse models of human cancer. The MI Program envisions developing these techniques to gain approval for human use. With the ability to see and measure the way normal cells become cancer cells , doctors may be able to diagnose cancer in patients earlier when treatment is more effective, and accurately choose the treatments best suited for each patient's circumstances.
Further Reading
1. International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium (2001) Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome. Nature 409: 860-921 [http://www.genome.gov/11006929]
2. Mouse Genome Sequencing Consortium (2002) Initial sequencing and comparative analysis of the mouse genome. Nature 420: 520-562
3. Pomper MG (2005) Translational molecular imaging for cancer. Cancer Imaging 23:5 Suppl:S16-26
4. Kelloff GJ, Krohn KA, Larson SM, Weissleder R, Mankoff DA, Hoffman JM, Link JM, Guyton KZ, Eckelman WC, Scher HL, O'Shaughnessy J, Cheson BD, Sigman CC, Tatum JL, Mills GQ, Sullivan DC, Woodcock J (2005) The progress and promise of molecular imaging probes in oncologic drug development. Clin Cancer Res 11(22):7967-7985
5. Gambhir SS (2002) Molecular imaging of cancer with positron emission tomography. Nat Rev Cancer 2(9):683-93
6. Hoffman JM (2000) Imaging in cancer: A National Cancer Institute "extraordinary opportunity." Neoplasia 2(1-2): 5-8
7. Hoffman JM, Menkens A (2000) Molecular imaging in cancer: Future directions and goals of the National Cancer Institute. Acad Radiol 7(10): 905-907
8. Hoffman JM, Croft B (2001) Future directions in small animal imaging. Lab Animal 30(3): 32-35
9. Wagenaar DJ, Weissleder R, Arne Hengerer A (2001) Glossary of molecular imaging terminology. Acad Radiol 8: 409-420
10. Hillman BJ, Neiman HI (2002) Translating molecular imaging research into radiologic practice: Summary of the proceedings of the American College of Radiology Colloquium, April 22-24, 2001. Radiology 222: 19-24
11. Jaffer FA, Weissleder R (2005) Molecular imaging in the clinical arena. JAMA 297: 855-862
12. Hoffman JM, Gambhir SS (2007) Molecular imaging: The current state of the science and the future in the clinical practice of radiology. Radiology 244: 39-47
13. Wu JC, Bengel FM, Gambhir SS (2007) Cardiovascular molecular imaging. Radiology 244(2):337-55
14. Biswal S, Resnick D, Hoffman JM, Gambhir SS (2007) Molecular imaging: Integration of molecular imaging into the musculoskeletal imaging practice. Radiology 244(3):651-671
15. Hammoud D, Hoffman JM, Pomper MG (2007) Molecular neuroimaging: From conventional to emerging techniques. Radiology 245(1):21-42
16. Margolis D, Hoffman JM, Jeffrey RB, Herfkens RJ, Quon A, Gambhir SS (2007) Molecular imaging techniques in body imaging. Radiology 245(2):333-356
17. Hoffman JM, Gambhir SS, Kelloff GJ (2007) Regulatory and reimbursement challenges for molecular imaging. Radiology 245(3):645-660
