Abstract: Nanoparticles may be used as theranostic agents in combination with clinical radiation therapy. We will report on AGuIX – a gadolinium-based nanoparticle that has been engineered to provide MRI contrast as well as in situ dose amplification during radiation therapy. AGuIX has been the focus of multiple preclinical studies and is currently under clinical evaluation at the BWH/DFCI for MRI-guided radiation therapy. The preclinical and clinical results thus far will be presented, followed by a discussion of ongoing studies with next-generation AGuIX formulations.

About the speaker: Dr. Ross Berbeco is the Director of Medical Physics Research at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Berbeco studied at UC Berkeley (BA ’96) and Michigan (PhD ’02) prior to his postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School under the supervision of Dr. Steve Jiang. Since 2005, Dr. Berbeco has been a faculty member at the BWH/DFCI, receiving ABR certification in 2010. His research interests include real-time motion management, novel imaging devices, 4DPET/CT, nanoparticles as theranostic agents, and pre-clinical radiation therapy. To perform this work, Dr. Berbeco has been a primary mentor for over 25 postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students with funding provided by Industrial and Federal sources.