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Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Definition
Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a non-invasive quantitative method of evaluating microvascular structure and function in tumors.
Characteristics
Solid tumors develop a circulatory blood supply of their own by angiogenesis to enable growth and survival. Since the vascular networks produce are structurally and functionally abnormal, they offer a potential target for novel anti-cancer therapy. This has led to worldwide interest in identifying and validating biomarkers of tumor vascular function that assist diagnosis, inform prognosis or enable the monitoring of treatment effects for both conventional chemoradiotherapy and anti-angiogenic agents.
T1 and T2* DCE-MRI Techniques
Imaging techniques allow repeated measurements of the tumor vasculature to be made in a non-invasive manner. Magnetic resonance imaging, unlike positron emission tomography and x-ray computed tomography, does not