Glioblastoma

Annual incidence of glioblastoma is about 3 per 100.000. Standard diagnostics is made via contrast-agent enhanced MRI, utilizing the area of accumulated contrast agent to identify the boundaries of the tumor. However, as shown by neurosurgery and by histology this method often underestimates the area of tumor-cell-infiltration. Better delineation of the tumor rim is of great importance for therapy planning and for the follow-up of the response to treatment. Using a rat glioma model this project focuses on the improvement of tumor rim characterization by MRI including the use of iron particles and susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), measurements of T1 and T2 relaxation times, magnetization transfer and perfusion during tumor development.

Pancreatic Tumors

Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is the fourth most common tumor-related cause of death in the Western world. Its prognosis strongly depended on an early diagnosis. Using mouse models of chronic pancreatitis and orthotropic pancreatic tumors (Cooperation H. Kalthoff and S. Sebens) this project focuses on endogenous MR contrast mechanisms in order to achieve a diagnosis as early as possible. In addition, we aim to achieve a more precise differentiation of tumor subtypes, to distinguish cancer from inflammation (pancreatitis) and to achieve an early as possible detection of response to therapeutic interventions.