Date of Award

2008

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program

Medical Biophysics

Supervisor

Dr. Paula Foster

Second Advisor

Dr. Gregory A. Dekaban

Third Advisor

Dr. Peta J. O’Connell

Abstract

Dendritic cell (DC) immunotherapy is under investigation for the treatment of cancer. However, the poor migration of DC in-vivo has been a significant barrier to the clinical implementation of DC immunotherapy. At present it is not possible to study the migration of DC without biopsy or excision of the lymphoid tissue. Noninvasive imaging methods are needed. In this work I present an approach for murine lymph node imaging that permits the visualization of lymph nodes in-vivo and allows tracking of DC migration to lymph nodes. In addition, a quantitative approach for analysis of MR images is presented and correlations between the signal void volume, and fractional signal loss, with the delivery and migration of DC are shown. These techniques will allow for continued studies of various DC preparation and delivery strategies which will promote a better understanding of effective DC immunotherapy.

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