Imaging

The Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC) is supported by a dedicated imaging centre and team of imaging specialists who provide valuable expertise to the CBTRC’s research. The centre is at the forefront of investigating cutting edge imaging techniques in early diagnosis, determination of prognosis and response to treatment. New techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) are being developed to provide valuable information on the biology of the tumour. We are currently investigating the role of MRS in showing differences between tumour types and determining tumour progression.

The CBTRC is an active participant in the UK Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG, formerly UKCCSG), and is the major centres providing information from MRS research to the CCLG. This vital information will be used to translate and integrate new imaging technology into clinical practice and UK clinical trials run by the CCLG.

Recent publications

Peet A, McConville C, Wilson M, Levine B, Reed M, Dyer S, et al. (2007). (1)H MRS identifies specific metabolite profiles associated with MYCN-amplified and non-amplified tumour subtypes of neuroblastoma cell lines. NMR Biomed.

Peet A, Lateef S, Macpherson L, Natarajan K, Sgouros S, Grundy R (2007). Short echo time 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy of childhood brain tumours. Childs Nervous System. 23:163-9.

Peet A, Davies N, Ridley L, Brundler M, Kombogiorgas D, Lateef S, et al (2007). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggests key differences in the metastatic behaviour of medulloblastoma. European Journal of Cancer. 43:1037-44.

Peet A, Leach M, Pinkerton C, Price P, Williams S, Grundy R (2005). The development of functional imaging in the diagnosis, management and understanding of childhood brain tumours. Paediatric Blood & Cancer. 44:103-13.