NON-INVASIVE IMAGING METHOD FOR GRADING TUMORS

Determining the malignant nature of a tumor is a crucial step in diagnosing and treating cancer. Researchers at UCSF have developed a non-invasive technique to grade the malignancy of a tumor using a proprietary algorithm to analyze MRI images. The passage of MRI imaging agents from the blood into the interstitial space of a tumor occurs in a predictable manner according to the degree of malignancy of the tumor. Using this new grading method, researchers can accurately and reproducibly determine the degree of malignancy by analyzing the slope of enhancement response of the tumor during the MRI imaging. This tumor grading method correlates so strongly with histological methods that the opportunity now exists to develop protocols to grade tumors without biopsy. In addition to being less invasive and less subjective than biopsy methods, this new technique can be used to grade tumors which are inaccessible for biopsy. This tumor grading method should find clinical application for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes.

If you would like to receive further information about this technology and potential licensing opportunities, please contact:

Joel B. Kirschbaum, Ph.D.
Director & Senior Technology Portfolio Manager
(415) 353-4462 phone
(415) 348-1579 fax
Joel Kirschbaum, Ph.D.

Reference: OTM Case #SF97-090-2