MRI assessment of tumour Microstructure in Glioblastoma (MIMOSA) study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Magnetic Resonance Imaging assessment of tumour MicrOStructure in GlioblastomA: A cross-sectional study (The MIMOSA Study).
IRAS ID
345971
Contact name
James Powell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Velindre University NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
By focussing on improving treatment and outcomes for patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), this study will address this unmet need for one of the most aggressive cancers, with the poorest outcomes, to affect adults. This project therefore prioritises a cancer type that is difficult to treat and has poor outcomes. This study is called the Magnetic Resonance Imaging assessment of tumour MicrOStructure in GlioblastomA (MIMOSA) study. In this study we will utilise the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre’s (CUBRIC) unique capacity for microstructure brain imaging by using CUBRICs CONNECTOM microstructure MRI scanner, allowing us to study GBM with greater resolution and sensitivity than ever before. By using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans we will study and better understand the composition (such as different cell types, extracellular matrix and vasculature) and microstructure (such as cell size, density and morphology) of the tumour micro-environment (TME) in patients with GBM.
We will use these scans before and after the patient’s surgery and radio-chemotherapy treatment to understand how TME microstructure (e.g. axonal and cellular projections, density and size; cell density, shape and size; extracellular matrix tortuosity; vasculature density and cell membrane permeability) alters with therapy and use this information to develop new predictive biomarkers of therapy response and non-response.
Within the TME, several cell types contribute to producing an environment that is permissive to, and actively supportive of, GBM growth, invasion, and immune escape. We believe that the MIMOSA study will enhance our understanding of these interactions within the TME, and focussing on these, particularly around the time of treatment, will both enhance our understanding of treatment response and provide novel mechanistic insights to guide future therapeutic advances.
In addition, we will give all patients participating in the MIMOSA study the option of participating in an additional MR elastography(MRE) sub-study (discussed below).
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0715
Date of REC Opinion
3 Dec 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion