Research Program

The unique impact of AdMeTech’s program in prostate imaging has been demonstrated by the expedited development of novel technologies of high impact on patient care, frequently within one year after grant awards (please see specific examples below).  The cornerstone of this program and its success is the design and implementation of the Brain Trust meetings, which bring together multi-disciplinary leaders from medicine, industry, government agencies, and advocacy groups to stimulate creation of new ideas and breakthrough research projects in the field of image-guided diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, as well as to encourage talented investigators to apply their knowledge and tools to prostate cancer imaging.  This in turn, enables AdMeTech Foundation to support early stages of the high-impact research projects, before other funding entities are prepared to take a risk.  AdMeTech also holds a bi-annual conference.

Over the last several years, AdMeTech’s research program has focused on molecular imaging, which has emerged as one of the most exciting directions in radiologic research, promising to visualize fundamental biology and genetics pathways of critical diseases. In February 2001, AdMeTech held a public conference devoted to image-guided diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer with the intent to review potential pathways to improve early detection and treatment. This conference showed that although very little work was done in prostate cancer, molecular imaging may be extremely promising in its ability to advance early detection and treatment of prostate cancer. In August 2001, with support from CaP CURE (spell out) Prostate Cancer Foundation, AdMeTech organized a multidisciplinary "think tank" that brought together leaders of molecular imaging, medical oncology, pathology, urology, radiation oncology, and molecular biology. This meeting identified the following:

• Molecular imaging is a potential breakthrough area for early detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
• Multidisciplinary collaborations are critical in the creation and advancement of molecular imaging of prostate cancer.
• Focus on high-priority research projects with a potential to make a significant impact on prostate cancer care.

AdMeTech's Research Program Supported by the Telemedicine and Advanced Technologies Research Center, Medical Research and Materiel Command, U.S. Army, Department of Defense:
Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer
Supported by the Telemedicine and Advanced Technologies Research Center, Medical Research and Materiel Command, U.S. Army

Summary 
The program led by AdMeTech represents a unique, integrated multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary effort which will expedite the advancement of molecular imaging as the means to improve early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. This program will address the following fundamental challenges in prostate cancer care: 

1. Improved assessment of risk;
2. Improved guidance of biopsy;
3. Improved diagnosis and related guidance of treatment, including accurate assessment of the location, extent, and aggressiveness of prostate cancer;
4. Improved early assessment of response to and monitoring of treatment;
5. Integrated, strategic approach to research and development to expedite dissemination, evaluation and implementation of new and promising “cutting-edge” prostate imaging technologies.