The power of molecular imaging techniques in preclinical cancer research

DR INGRID BURVENICH
Postdoc Research Fellow
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute

At the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, the ARCF Centre for Translational Cancer Therapeutics and Imaging holds several preclinical imaging cameras including a nanoSPECT/CT (Mediso), a nanoPET/MRI (Mediso) and an IVIS camera (PerkinElmer). With access to excellent radiochemistry, this program is unique in Melbourne and internationally competitive.

This seminar illustrates the capability of each individual imaging modality. Several examples of research projects in the field of cancer research highlight how these imaging tools can play an important role in preclinical drug development and drug characterization, as well as offering opportunities for basic biological research. 

Dr Ingrid Burvenich is a senior post-doctoral researcher in the Tumour Targeting Laboratory at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute. Ingrid studied bio-engineering specializing in cell and gene biotechnology at the University of Ghent. She then completed her PhD at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, characterising monoclonal antibody 14C5 for molecular detection and therapy of αvβ5-expressing cancers. In 2007, she moved to Australia to join the Tumour Targeting program as a postdoc researcher at the Ludwig Institute lead by Professor Andrew Scott.

Being part of a world class preclinical and clinical trial program in molecular imaging and targeted therapeutics, Dr Burvenich has been pivotally involved in the preclinical development of 2 antibodies developed with academic collaborators and licensed to start-up companies and 4 antibodies in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies. Her preclinical molecular imaging investigations directly contributed to 2 of these antibodies entering Phase I bioimaging human trials (NCT01220999, NCT02252211).She continues to be pivotally involved in the development of the licensed antibodies and new pharma preclinical collaborations.

Her current research focuses on identifying and developing novel strategies for targeted therapy of cancer in patients with a poor clinical outcome including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), glioblastoma (GBM) and cancer patients with cachexia. With a background in bio-engineering and pharmaceutical sciences, Dr Burvenich is passionate about combining molecular imaging and targeted therapies to facilitate a fast translation of discoveries from bench to clinic for the benefit of patients. She recently joined the National Imaging Facility as a NIF fellow and was awarded the Shimadzu Award for best talk in radiopharmacy at the 51^st ANZSNM Annual Scientific Meeting.