ISMRM SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOP ~ 06-09 November 2014

Magnetic Resonance in Cancer: Challenges & Unmet Needs
Austin, TX, USA
 

OVERVIEW

The workshop program will cover the potentials and challenges faced by the latest MRI and MRS techniques as applied to cancer research.

This workshop features invited scientific presentations, proffered papers, poster sessions, break-out sessions on specific topics, and the Negendank Memorial Lecture on a special topic of clinical relevance. A Young Investigator Award for which students and post-doctoral fellows are eligible will be awarded based on the quality of the presented work and presentation.

The goals of this workshop are to facilitate in-depth discussions and education on the current advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of promising MRI and MRS methods, such as diffusion imaging, perfusion imaging and high field MRS in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Newly emerging imaging contrast mechanisms and the potential for clinical applications of cancer initiating cells, immune cells, and stem cells will be discussed. Scientific sessions include approaches that image the tumor microenvironment, tumor vasculature, and tumor metabolism. Specialized focus sessions will discuss and aim to develop recommendations for translation of high field MRI/MRS, diffusion MRI, perfusion MRI as well as novel contrast mechanisms in improving cancer detection and monitoring treatment response.
 

TARGET AUDIENCE
This workshop will be of interest to scientists using magnetic resonance methods in cancer research as well as physicians (oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons) involved in cancer patient care. Junior/young investigators/trainees are especially encouraged to attend as this workshop provides several opportunities for their participation.
 

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
  • Distinguish the utility of MRI and PET for cancer staging and detection of nodal metastases;
  • Describe the role of MRI/MRS in detecting cancer initiating cells, circulating cancer cells, and cancer dormancy;
  • Enlist the challenges and potentials of MRI and MRS methods in studying the tumour microenvironment: specifically in order to assess the interplay between cancer cells, macrophages, vasculature and hypoxia;
  • Review the challenges in the implementation of MRS for cancer diagnosis and treatment response in the clinic;
  • Examine the pros and cons of multi-nuclear NMR methods in cancer detection and treatment, and select the appropriate treatment or research method;
  • Explain the challenges in performing MRI and MRS studies on cancer patients at 7T;
  • Compare and contrast newly emerging contrast mechanisms (CEST, APT) with conventional MRI contrast imaging for specific applications in cancer; and
  • Discuss new perspectives in cancer metabolism in the context of hyper-polarized NMR studies.