Importance

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Abstract

Methods for assessing stage of cancer in a subject are provided, comprising administering a macrophage imaging agent to the subject, making a magnetic resonance image of regions of the subject's body at cancer risk, and using the image to assess macrophage density and displacement associated with any primary cancer or metastatic cancer in the subject, such density and displacement being indicative of neoplasia. The macrophage imaging agent may be an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particle and in particular embodiments, the macrophage imaging agent has a blood half-life sufficient to permit microphage trapping throughout the regions at cancer risk. Additional embodiments provide methods for assessing efficacy of an anticancer treatment in a subject, methods for determining frequency of follow-up MEMRI evaluation in a subject, methods for determining metastatic potential of cancer foci in a subject, and methods for determining prognosis of cancer in a subject. Methods for directing site of biopsy in a subject by performing a whole body MEMRI evaluation of the subject to identify macrophage density at a tumor site of interest and assessing the macrophage density to identify the site of biopsy in the subject, macrophage density being an indicator of tumor growth are also provided, in addition to methods for providing individualized cancer treatment to a subject in need thereof using whole body MEMRI evaluation.

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First Claim