The Centre for PET has a major focus on academic research, as evidenced by its peer-reviewed grant track record, and publication record. The principal areas of research are in neurosciences (stroke, psychiatry), oncology and basic biology / biochemistry. The links with Melbourne University and the Ludwig Institute For Cancer Research have facilitated strong translational research in in-vitro and in-vivo models prior to human studies.
Our PET research has gained international recognition in ligand chemistry, as well as in H215O water activation studies and the physics methodology associated with these studies.
As part of the clinical evaluation of PET, the Centre for PET has been a major participant in the Australian Commonwealth Government prospective PET protocols in Oncology, Neurology and Cardiology.
Tumour metabolism
We are also performing F-18 FDG and F-18 FLT studies in animal models to examine the effects of novel biologics on the glucose metabolism and proliferation of cancer cells in-vivo. Tumour models under study include colorectal, lung and breast cancer, renal cancer and prostate cancer, and glioma.
Direct measurement of intra-tumoural pO2 values are also being performed in our hypoxia and therapeutic monitoring studies, in order to establish the biologic sequelae of anti-angiogenic therapy.
New therapeutics
As part of preclinical characterisation of the intracellular trafficking of recombinant antibodies, and biodistribution properties of novel biologics, we are performing PET studies with I-124 labelled humanised monoclonal antibodies. These studies provide unique information on the temporal and spatial distribution of antibodies and fusion proteins in-vivo, and allow non-invasive dosimetry to be performed of normal tissue and tumour.
A key element to our studies is the use of CT scans in conjunction with PET imaging, which can provide detailed anatomical detail of sites of metabolic change identified on PET scanning.
Our experimental studies combine PET quantitative measurements of tumour metabolism with detailed protein profiles and gene arrays, in order to compare in-vivo analyses with proteomic and genetic characteristics of tumours.
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