Services

PETF offers comprehensive services to UPCI research programs for using PET and PET/CT imaging technologies, including:

PET Imaging

Imaging services include PET tracer development and production, in vitro and in vivo tracer distribution and tracer kinetic studies, small animal PET imaging with and without combination with CT, as well as human PET and PET/CT imaging. [F-18]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is available for human and animal studies on a daily basis; [F-18]Fluorothymidine (FLT) has been recently approved by the Radioactive Drug Research Committee (RDRC) and will be used for human and small animal imaging on a regular basis. In addition, [C-11]Acetate, [C11]Choline, [C-11]Methionine, and [F-18]Fluoroestradiol are available for small animal tumor models.

Consultation Services

The Director and the Faculty Support personnel invest a considerable amount of time meeting with investigators to discuss their specific research objectives and the appropriate PET imaging protocol. Consultations include guidance in experimental design, development, validation, and implementation of methodology in the interpretation of study data. The service includes data processing and analysis for in vitro tracer uptake studies, tracer quantification in small animal PET and human PET imaging (including state-of-the-art tracer kinetic modeling).

IRAT Network

NCI's Cancer Imaging Program and Cancer Centers Branch support IRATs at eight NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. At UPCI, the effort is led by James Mountz, MD, PhD and is composed of a PET Oncology Imaging Core, an Image Data Analysis Core, a MRI Oncology Imaging Core, and a Conventional Imaging Core. Each of UPCI's clinical research programs also has a team leader within the IRAT structure.

The specific aims of the IRAT project are:

  1. Develop an administrative plan to organize UPCI oncology groups and radiology assessment teams (IRATs) to interact in the design of oncology therapy trials.
  2. Maximize the application of innovative imaging approaches for advancement of cancer therapy trials.
  3. Ensure that IRAT members and UPCI oncology group members consistently participate in the design of clinical trials from their inception.

As shown in the administrative diagram (Figure 1), trial designs at UPCI originate from PIs in disease site oncology groups. Each of these groups will include one or more IRAT members who participate in discussions related to proper utilization and optimization of imaging methods in the trial design during an early phase of protocol design.

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