Center for Pharmaceutical and Molecular Imaging (CPMI)
Robert C. Brasch, MD, Director, 415/476-2275

The mission of this UCSF-based laboratory has been expanded from its former tight focus of developing new image-enhancing pharmaceuticals. The research scope now encompasses the application of imaging techniques to evaluations of pharmaceuticals and the development of new imaging methods to evaluate disease processes at the molecular level. Our new mission is reflected in our new name: Center for Pharmaceutical and Molecular Imaging. We intend to continue introducing young investigators to the joys of basic radiological/imaging research. The CPMI was recently awarded a new grant to develop optical laser-based imaging and novel fluorescing contrast agents with a focus on better characterizing breast cancer at the molecular level. The new optical imager is now operational and research is proceding. The primary facility is a 1,080-square-foot chemistry laboratory centrally located on the main UCSF campus. This facility is being remodeled and reorganized to permit advanced image-processing development as well as optical imaging and the already established chemistry capabilities.

Research Directions:

• Development of new MRI and CT contrast media
• Characterize disease by changes in function and microvasculature
• Development of new UCSF optical imaging unit
• Breast cancer characterizations with molecular imaging

Recent Key References:

Daldrup-Link H, Brasch RC. Macromolecular contrast agents for MR mammography: current status. Eur Radiol 2003; 13:354-6.

Daldrup-Link HE, Kaiser A, Helbich T, Werner M, Bjornerud A, Link TM, Rummeny EJ. Macromolecular contrast medium (feruglose) versus small molecular contrast medium (gadopentetate) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. Acad Radiol 2003; 10(11):1237-46.

Daldrup-Link HE, Okuhata Y, Wolfe A, Srivastav S, Oie S, Ferrara N, Cohen RL, Shames DM, Brasch R. Decrease in tumor apparent permeability-surface area product to a MRI macromolecular contrast medium following angiogenesis inhibition with correlations to cytotoxic drug accumulation. Microcirculation 2004; 11:387-396.

Daldrup-Link HE, Rudelius M, Oostendorp RAJ, Settles M, Piontek G, Metz S, Heinzmann U, Rummeny EJ, Schlegel J, Link TM. Targeting of hematopoietic progenitor cells with MR contrast agents. Radiology 2003; 228:760-7.

Daldrup-Link HE, Rydland J, Helbich T, Turetschek K, Haraldseth O, Link TM, Brasch RC, Shames D, Rummeny EJ. Quantitative MRI-estimates of breast tumor microvascular permeabilities to the macromolecular contrast agent Feruglose (Clariscan) correlate with histologic tumor grade: initial phase II multicenter trial. Radiology 2003; 229(3):885-92.

Wiart, M, Fournier LS, Novikov VY, Shames DM, Roberts TPL, Fu Y, Shalinsky DR, Brasch RC. Magnetic resonance imaging detects early changes in tumor microvascular permeability of xenograft tumors after treatment with the matrix metalloprotease inhibitor prinomastat. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2004; 3(4):377-82.