Purpose/Objective(s)

A combined X-ray contrast and optical imaging provides physiological and functional details of
normal or diseased tissue non-invasively at a molecular level. Through real time visualization,
image acquisitions, delineating the tumor boundaries, the integration of optical molecular
imaging into the radiation treatment allows effective use of radiation in radiation oncology. The
design, construction, and validation of Molecular Image Guided Radiation Therapy (MIGRT)
instrumentation for preclinical theragnostics will be described.

Materials/Methods

The multimodal molecular imaging module with appropriate shielding is engineered into
a steel lined x-ray irradiator chamber. The MI module includes a stage to immobilize and
position small animals (mice to rabbit) or tissue culture plates. Phosphor screens between the
animal chamber and the detector facilitate both the optical and radiographic images to be
captured at the same focal plane. A cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) based system images the
specimen in X-ray mode and optical mode to allow co-registration of luminescent tumors or target
tissues on an X-ray background of the animal or other samples. RT is achieved using x-ray tube
with a homogenic beam powered by 320 kV stable X-ray generators using fixed and/or
adjustable collimators.
Oral Presentation
By
Dr. Rao Papineni

Development of Integrated Multimodal Molecular Imaging and X-ray Irradiator
Module for Molecular Image Guided Radiation Therapy - MIGRT in Preclinical
Research

Results

The design and fabrication of the integrated MIGRT, its validation, and the performance are
completed. The radiation treatment protocol (whole body) followed by functional molecular
imaging of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) response were performed on swiss albino mice.
Significant changes in the luminescence signals a response to the changes in ROS activity were
acquired real time without moving the animal or other specimen between imaging modalities or
radiation treatment.

Conclusions

Efficient integration of the X-ray irradiation system capable to perform both optical and X-ray
imaging of their cells, tissues or animals for pre-treatment MIGRT localization of target tissues and
for post treatment diagnostics of results at a molecular and functional level is accomplished.
Functional and molecular imaging during or post RT also opens novel opportunities to determine
and explore the molecular mechanisms in radiation biology- thereby developing new therapeutic
strategies complementing radiation therapy- with a distinct footprint in immunotherapy, adoptive
cell therapy, and targeted chemotherapy.




PI: Dr. Rao V. L. Papineni - Papineni@graduate.hku.hk

Coauthors: William McLaughlin, Brian Dermott, Douglas Vizard, and Juan C Gonzales.
PACT & Health LLC
Precision X-ray Inc
& KUMC USA.
American Society for Radiation Oncology, ASTRO's Annual Meeting is the premier radiation
oncology scientific event in the world and draws more than 11,000 attendees each year. During
the 2014 Annual Meeting, we will highlight science that showcases how technology and biology
advance the field and improve patient outcomes and quality of life.