National Cancer Institute - NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and ...

eyond prototypes. The area of optical
imaging and spectroscopy was chosen
for the pilot effort because this technology
has recently generated multiple new
imaging and spectroscopic modes. The
use of non-ionizing radiation offers a huge
capacity to capture in vivo information
on the status of tissue and cellular physiology
and pathology (molecular imaging).
Multiple technologies in the area are
approaching or at the threshold of
clinical translation.
The NTROI network develops consensus
processes for translational research in
optical imaging, including optimizing
emerging optical imaging systems,
targeted or activatible probes, and methods
for validation. Long-term goals of
the program include development and
delivery of common or similar platforms
for measuring and extracting quantitative
signatures from endogenous molecules or
molecular probes that are cancer-specific.
Use of combined signatures will improve
sensitivity and specificity, particularly for
early cancer detection, cancer diagnosis,
treatment, and measurement of response
to therapy.
A Network Steering Committee (SC) of
team principal investigators and key
co-investigators also includes scientific
observers from the Food and Drug Administration,
National Science Foundation,
and National Institute of Standards and
Technology to encourage a more seamless
and timely process for regulatory approval
of optical imaging methods.
Optical molecular imaging is one of
the fastest growing imaging modalities
for cancer research. Establishing the
network during the early phase of
technology development will bring
the different communities together to
accelerate translation toward delivery
of these technologies. The request for
applications (RFA) published in August
2002 yielded 17 applications, with total
collaborating investigators exceeding
700, and resulted in four funded U54
Cooperative Agreements—Specialized
Research Resource Centers.
NCI Visuals Online, Linda Bartlett, photographer.
C A N C E R I M A G I N G P R O G R A M ■ 51