Advancing the Application of Magnetic Resonance in Cancer: Structural, Functional and Molecular Studies of Tumours and

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This proposal aims to establish a leading edge 3T magnetic resonance facility to support majorprogrammes of research in cancer imaging that focus on tumour detection, assessment ofdisease extent and aggressiveness, and evaluation of new cancer therapies. The proposal willbuild on 20 years of experience in applying magnetic resonance to cancer at The Institute ofCancer Research and the Royal Marsden Hospital enhancing major research programmesfunded through Cancer Research UK and through NHS research and development activities.The increased signal available at 3T allows high-resolution images for improved tumourdetection, but also enables functional information to be acquired, which may not be possible atconventional field strengths. Much of the planned research uses functional images, where thebehaviour and characteristics of tumour are measured, in addition to their extent. The higherfield strength provides increased sensitivity to signals from MR contrast agents, allowing moreaccurate assessment of tumour blood supply. The water composition and viability of cells withina tumour will also be assessed more easily and the detailed interrogation of biochemicalpathways will be made possible using multi-nuclear MR spectroscopy. This will enableassessment of the action of new anti-cancer drugs on specific processes in cells.