Research Projects 2003-2005
1) Dr. William Sellers (Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School)
Key Accomplishment:
Fundamental discovery that would make it possible to determine from prostate imaging if cancer treatment is effective as early as 24 to 48 hours, long before current tools. This discovery addresses the critical need to have tools for early assessment of treatment response that would make it possible to avoid ineffective, expensive treatment that usually causes major complications and reduction in the quality of life.
Timeline of Accomplishment:
Within 6 months after funding.
AdMeTech’s Impact on the attraction of talented investigators into prostate imaging:
Dr. Sellers is a medical oncologist. He had not been involved in prostate imaging until he participated in our public conference of February 1999 and our Brain Trust meeting of August 2001.
2) Dr. Irving Bigio (Boston University)
Key Accomplishment:
Pioneered development of the new generation of prostate-dedicated novel optical technology to improve early detection and guidance of biopsy.
Timeline of Accomplishment:
Within one year after funding.
AdMeTech’s Impact on the attraction of talented investigators into prostate imaging:
Dr. Bigio, who is one of the top leaders in optical imaging, had not worked in the area of prostate cancer until he participated in the AdMeTech’s public conferences and Brain Trust meetings, starting in June 1999.
In February 2004, AdMeTech Foundation held a multi-disciplinary Brain Trust meeting for leaders in the field of prostate cancer imaging and treatment. This 2004 meeting created new ideas and new research projects that were selected for funding for the continuation of AdMeTech Foundation’s research program for the period of 2005-2007, including the selection of the priority projects for funding (see below).
By 2005, AdMeTech Foundation’s Brain Trust meetings emerged as one of the most important components of AdMeTech’s program. The 2005 -2007 Brain Trust meetings and Public Conferences made a profound impact on research and education in the area of prostate imaging and image-guided treatment.
The research conducted in this period was the direct result of the Brain Trust meeting of February 2004 and continued to result in the development of novel, breakthrough imaging methods for early detection and accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer. These imaging methods are based on visualization of molecular markers which have been shown to be specific to prostate cancer. Each team identified a novel imaging agent that made it possible to target prostate cancer-specific molecules. |
