Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. (From -To) We propose to develop novel molecular imaging agents to detect enzyme biomarkers of metastatic breast cancer. These imaging agents are detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) only if they encounter enzymes that are present in metastatic breast tumors. Unlike standard MRI agents, these novel agents are detected by a unique mechanism that allows for evaluations of multiple enzymes during the same MRI experiment. The ability to simultaneously detect multiple enzyme biomarkers within a single MRI scan session will reduce scan times and patient discomfort. The unique detection mechanism employed by these MRI agents will take full advantage of new high-field clinical MRI scanners; this is in contrast to standard MRI agents, which show only limited improvements at high magnetic fields. We will generate these novel agents using standard chemistry protocols. We'll optimize our MRI methods to detect enzyme biomarkers with these agents, and we will use well-established fluorescence imaging methods to validate our results. Finally, we'll apply these agents to detect the enzyme biomarkers within metatstatic breast tumor cells grown in mice. As a long-term goal, these novel molecular imaging agents will be further developed for clinical assessments of metastatic breast cancer.
REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)
01-01-2006
REPORT TYPE
Final
DATES COVERED
SUBJECT TERMSPerformance of research to accomplish goals listed in the abstract.
IntroductionWe have developed novel molecular imaging agents that detect matrix metaloprotenase enzyme MMP-2 and MMP-9 that are confirmed biomarkers of metastatic breast cancer. These "smart" imaging agents are activated by MMP-2 or MMP-9 enzymatic activity for detection by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Unlike standard MRI agents, these novel molecular imaging agents have unique MR frequencies, and we have shown that multiple agents can be simultaneously used to assess multiple biomarkers. We have also shown that these new agents detect only the active forms of these biomarkers, which is critical for proper evaluation of metastatic breast cancer. We have developed new methodologies...