Simmons Conference- Lauren Rosenblum, MD, PhD

Title: Targeted intraoperative imaging of neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric solid malignancy, affecting 700-800 children per year in the US. Despite multimodal treatment including surgery, the 5-year-survival for high risk disease is only 50%. Encasement of neurovascular structures, detection of remote deposits, and difficulty distinguishing tumor from normal tissue contribute to incomplete resection, which in turn leads to worse local control and overall survival. 

We have constructed a dual-labeled antibody-based intraoperative molecular imaging (IMI) tracer, DTPA[In-111]-dinutuximab-IR800. Dinutuximab targets GD2, which is overexpressed in 99% of neuroblastoma, while DTPA[In-111] enables gamma decay detection through up to 5cm of tissue, and IR800 enables near-infrared fluorescence imaging of tumor tissue. IMI with this tracer and commonly used hand-held instruments including the Neoprobe and SPY-PHI could lead to safer and more thorough tumor resection. 

Mentors: Dr. Marcus Malek, Dr. Gary Kohanbash