A University of Pittsburgh scientist has developed a novel approach to improve structural and functional imaging of bladder diseases. Through the combination of a "positive" MRI contrast effect of a standard gadolinium chelate contrast agent and the "negative" contrast from the diamagnetic characteristics of perfluorocarbons, an emulsion can be produced. It is possible to directly instill this emulsion into the bladder of a patient for better imaging of the bladder using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Description
The current approach for imaging the bladder using MRI requires intravenous injection of contrast agents to acquire clear images. However, this contrast agent is administered systemically and is dependent on bladder perfusion to the disease site in the bladder wall. There exists an unmet clinical need for a contrast agent that can overcome this diffusion dependence and be directly instilled in the bladder. Using two existing FDA approved agents an emulsion has been developed that could allow for direct administration of contrast agents to the bladder allowing clinicians to better understand bladder permeability for benign lesions and to stage malignant lesions to assist with clinical decision making.
Applications
• Bladder cancers
• Conditions leading to bladder permeability issues (interstitial cystitis)
• Urinary cancers
Advantages
Intravenous administration of MRI contrast agents is required to enhance the quality of some diagnostic images acquired using MRI which involves systemic exposure to these agents. In bladder imaging, bladder perfusion can limit the amount of contrast agent present in lesions, making diagnosis challenging. While staging of bladder cancer can be done with surgery, it is not suitable for older patients who may not tolerate anesthesia or survive surgery. This novel emulsion has several key advantages over existing approaches. It can overcome the dependence on bladder perfusion as it is directly instilled into the bladder. This method could be particularly beneficial to patients with a sensitive bladder who struggle to tolerate bladder distention from IV contrast agent use. It also offers a surgical-free approach for cancer staging. Currently no commercial bladder permeability assay is available to aid clinical diagnosis and treatment decision making, and this emulsion could meet that clinical need. Of note, the components of the emulsion are already FDA-approved which may accelerate regulatory approval.
Invention Readiness
An emulsion has been developed. In vivo testing in mice and in vitro testing in various mammal models demonstrated the emulsion could be instilled into the bladder for enhanced MRI images.
IP Status
Patent Pending
