Theranostics and Molecular Imaging

The Department of Radiology has a thriving research program in identifying innovative biomarkers, developing targeted contrast agents, and engineering image-guided therapeutics (theranostics) to transform early disease detection and advance personalized medicine and precision therapy. Many of our projects focus on targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (or PSMA) for improved diagnosis and therapy of cancer. Specific research topics include:

• Optical imaging agents for detection of tumor resection margins
• Gold nanoparticles for photodynamic therapy and sensitization of radiation therapy
• PSMA-targeted nanoscale ultrasound contrast agents (aka nanobubbles) for biopsy guidance with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)
• Focused therapy of aggressive prostate cancer

We are also developing nuclear imaging agents, including F18-labeled chlofarabin, to predict response to deoxycytidine kinase -targeting treatment, nuclear imaging probes for detection of neurodegenerative diseases, and studying sodium-glucose transporters for treatment planning and prediction of therapeutic efficacy. Finally, we are developing contrast-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) for imaging polycystic kidney disease and cancer.

Research Team

• Norbert Avril, MD
• James P. Basilion, PhD
• Agata A. Exner, PhD
• Arash Kardan, MD
• Zhenghong Lee, PhD
• Raymond F. Muzic, Jr., PhD
• Yanming Wang, PhD