Molecular Imaging of P-gp function in patients with brain tumours
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Molecular Imaging of P-glycoprotein function in patients with brain tumours
IRAS ID
123231
Contact name
Alan Jackson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Research summary
High grade glioma (HGG) is a rapidly progressive form of brain tumour with a very variable and poor outcome. HGG patients are currently treated with the chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide in combination with surgery and/or radiotherapy. Resistance to conventional radiochemotherapy occurs in both previously untreated tumours and following treatment. Over-expression of transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) that pump out toxic substances from certain organs like the brain has been hypothesised to lead to drug resistance in various diseases including HGG. A way to potentially overcome drug resistance would be to administer another drug that blocks the P-gp transporter in combination with the treatment drug to increase its delivery to the brain.
Many radiotracers have been used to study P-gp transporter function in vivo using imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) and of those [C-11]verapamil is the one which has been most characterised in humans. We propose to use [C-11]verapamil and radiolabelled water to investigate the effect of blocking these transporters in patients with HGG. This method could be used as a tool to select those patients who are likely to benefit from this therapeutic strategy.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0322
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion