Improved MRI scans could aid in development of arthritis treatments

An algorithm that analyses MRI images and automatically detects small changes in knee joints over time could be used in the development of new treatments for arthritis.

 A team of engineers, radiologists and physicians, led by the University of Cambridge, developed the algorithm, which builds a three-dimensional model of an individual's knee joint in order to map where arthritis is affecting the knee. It then automatically creates 'change maps' which not only tell researchers whether there have been significant changes during the study but allow them to locate exactly where these are.

There are few effective treatments for arthritis, and the technique could be a considerable boost to efforts to develop and monitor new therapies for the condition. The results are reported in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK. It develops when the articular cartilage that coats the ends of bones and allows them to glide smoothly over each other at joints, is worn down, resulting in painful, immobile joints. Currently there is no recognised cure and the only definitive treatment is surgery for artificial joint replacement.

Osteoarthritis is normally identified on an X-ray by a narrowing of the space between the bones of the joint due to a loss of cartilage. However, X-rays do not have enough sensitivity to detect subtle changes in the joint over time.

 "We don't have a good way of detecting these tiny changes in the joint over time in order to see if treatments are having any effect," said Dr James MacKay from Cambridge's Department of Radiology, and the study's lead author. "In addition, if we're able to detect the early signs of cartilage breakdown in joints, it will help us understand the disease better, which could lead to new treatments for this painful condition."

The current study builds on earlier work from the same team, who developed an algorithm to monitor subtle changes in arthritic joints in CT scans. Now, they are using similar techniques for MRI, which provides more complete information about the composition of tissue - not just information about the thickness of cartilage or bone. 

MRI is already widely used to diagnose joint problems, including 

arthritis, but manually labelling each image is time-consuming, 

and may be less accurate than automated or semi-automated 

techniques when detecting small changes over a period of months 

or years.

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Radioactive nanoparticles that target cancer cells developed

The  scientists cover the lutetium nano-particles with gold shells and attach targeting agents.

Researchers have found a way to create radioactive nano-

particles that target lymphoma tumour cells wherever they 

may be in the body.

Cancers of all types become most deadly when they 

metastasise and spread tumours throughout the body. Once 

cancer has reached this stage, it becomes very difficult for 

doctors to locate and treat the numerous tumours that can 

develop.

An associate professor of oncology stated that being able to 

target secondary tumours is vital to successfully treating 

patients with progressive cancers.

“Depending on the type of cancer, primary tumours usually 

are not the cause of death for cancer patients. If a cancer 

metastasises, or spreads creating hard-to-find tumours, it 

often becomes fatal. Having a way to identify and shrink 

these secondary tumours is of utmost importance when 

fighting to save people with these diseases,” he said.

In an effort to find a way to locate and kill secondary tumours, 

researchers have successfully created nano-particles made 

of a radioactive form of the element lutetium. The 

scientists then covered the lutetium nano-particles with gold 

shells and attached targeting agents.

In previous research, the researcher has already proven the 

effectiveness of similar targeting agents in mice and dogs 

suffering from tumours. In that research, the targeting agents 

were attached to single radioactive atoms that were 

introduced into the bodies of animals with cancer. The 

targeting agents were able to seek out the tumours existing 

within the animals, which were then revealed through radio-

imaging of those animals.

In their current research, the scientists have shown the 

targeting agents can deliver the new radioactive lutetium 

nano-particles to lymphoma tumour cells without attaching to 

and damaging healthy cells in the process.

A researcher said this is an important step toward developing 

therapies for lymphoma and other advanced-stage cancers.

“The ability to deliver multiple radioactive atoms to individual 

cancer cells should greatly increase our ability to selectively 

kill these cells. We are very optimistic about the synergy of 

combining the targeting strategy developed in the lab with our 

work on new radioactive nano-particles,” he said.

This study is an example of the collaborative research taking 

place. The early-stage results of this research are promising. 

If additional studies, including animal studies, are successful 

within the next few years, the researchers will request 

permission from the federal government to begin human drug 

development. After this status has been granted, researchers

may conduct human clinical trials with the hope of developing 

new treatments.