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Protein-based MRI agent detects lung cancer and hidden metastases earlier than current scans
Medical Xpress • • health
Key Points:
- A research team led by Georgia State University's Jenny J. Yang has developed a novel protein-based MRI contrast agent, hProCA32.Collagen, that detects invasive lung cancer and metastases as small as 1 millimeter, enabling earlier diagnosis than conventional imaging.
- The agent targets collagen type I, a protein elevated in aggressive tumors, allowing for precise imaging of small tumors and metastatic lesions in lungs, adrenal glands, and kidneys without exposing patients to radiation.
- This molecular imaging technology is particularly effective in detecting aggressive lung adenocarcinomas resistant to current therapies, potentially reducing the need for invasive biopsies and aiding in personalized treatment planning.
- The development involved collaboration among Georgia State University, Emory University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, combining expertise in imaging, cancer biology, and translational research.
- The technology is advancing toward clinical testing, supported by biotech company InLighta Biosciences, with plans to file an investigational new drug application with the FDA to begin human trials.
