MRI has become an important tool in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment planning for many cancers, especially solid tumors. However, up until now, a lack of specificity has held back the full potential of MRI.
While MRI is very good at identifying areas of interest, factors such as infection, benign tumors, post-traumatic areas, and inflammation can all increase vascularity and, therefore, enhancement of contrast and signal changes.
- As a result, MRI has a high rate of false positives – findings that may be flagged as something of concern but that are not necessarily malignant lesions.
This lack of accuracy results in clinical care teams performing too many confirmatory biopsies, with most being benign.
Now a novel class of molecular imaging contrast agents developed by Imagion Biosystems brings a new level of specificity to MRI.
- The company’s MagSense imaging agents have the potential to improve the clinical utility of the large installed base of MRI systems across the globe through improved accuracy of interpretation, avoiding biopsies of benign lesions, driving earlier intervention and improving outcomes and quality of life.
Unlike gadolinium-based agents that non-specifically enhance tissue vascularity regardless of cause, MagSense imaging agents target receptors on cancer cells.
- By combining magnetic nanoparticles that have high susceptibility and r2 relaxivity with cancer-specific biomarkers, molecular MRI becomes possible.
Imagion’s superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are coated with a cancer-specific targeting moiety, such as an antibody or peptide.
- The cancer biomarker molecule causes the particles to bind to target-specific cancer cells, if present. If the lesion in question is not the target cancer, the particles do not bind.
Where the imaging agent has become attached to the tissue, the nanoparticles produce an identifiable change in MRI signal.
- This signal is easily detected by radiological review and can be quantitatively assessed.
Imagion has developed cancer-specific contrast imaging agents for HER2 breast cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer, and the MagSense platform can be adapted for any type of cancer for which there is a targeting moiety.
- Imagion is now preparing to initiate a multisite phase 2 study in the U.S. in HER2+ breast cancer patients to optimize imaging parameters and compare MagSense imaging to the standard of care.
The Takeaway
Molecular-specific imaging agents like the MagSense technology from Imagion Biosystems create the opportunity for molecular MRI to fundamentally change how radiologists detect and monitor cancers.
The company is publicly traded (ASX:IBX) and is looking to expand its U.S. investor base as it advances through its clinical programs. To become involved as an investigator or investor or to learn more visit their website.
