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282 Imaging of Cancer Stem Cells
Number of anticipated awards: 2
(Fast-Track proposals will not be accepted. Phase II information is provided only for informational purposes to assist Phase I proposers with their long-term strategic planning.)
Budget (total costs): Phase I: $150,000;
Phase II: $1,500,000
(Note: Proposals with budgets exceeding the above amounts will be returned without review. Phase I project periods may last a maximum of 9 months. Proposals with durations exceeding 9 months will be returned without review.)
The deadline for receipt of all contract proposals submitted in response to this solicitation is: November 9, 2009.
Summary:
Numerous studies have indicated that several human cancer types, including those of breast, brain, colon, head & neck, leukemia, liver, ovarian, pancreas and prostate, may arise from the malignant transformation of stem cells and their progenitors. With evidence in support of a cancer stem cell (CSC)/tumor initiating cell (TIC) model for carcinogenesis, it becomes critically important to identify and image these cells in vivo or in human tissues. The purpose of this initiative is to provide support for the development of imaging technology for identification of CSCs/TICs. The selected offerors will develop technologies for imaging of CSCs/TICs, so that CSCs/TICs can be identified in a cancer or a subtype of a cancer. Offerors should focus initial development on the imaging of CSCs/TICs in one of the cancer types/subtypes such as prostate, breast, lung, colon, or other major epithelial cancers, where CSCs/TICs have been detected. In Phase II, the technology of imaging developed in Phase I will be validated under a plan developed with the NCI project officer.
Project Goals:
The goal of the project is to develop imaging technology of CSCs/TICs with a resolution that is able to distinguish CSCs/TICs from non-CSCs/TICs. The technology development can include methodology that can help better mechanistic understanding of CSC generation, migration, frequency, and potency. The imaging technology that will be developed can also be used to monitor efficacy of drugs in CSCs/TICs. The imaging technology could further be used, in a preclinical setting, both for high throughput screening assays to locate CSCs/TICs. The technology development should be platform driven. For example, the procedure for the imaging of breast cancer or its subtype should be easily applied for developing imaging technology of other cancer types/subtypes, such as colon cancer or prostate cancer. The modality could be one of the following, but is not limited to: optical imaging, PET, or MRI. The imaging agent could include, but is not limited to: antibodies, peptides, DNA/DNA analogs, small molecules, or nano particles.
- Identification and validation of a set of markers for the CSCs/TICs in the cancer of choice.
- Demonstration of simultaneous detection of multiple of markers, the presence of which indicates CSCs/TICS.
- Quantification of the imaging signals to determine the number of CSCs/TICs present.
- Demonstration of capabilities enabled by the imaging to distinguish CSCs/TICs from non-CSC/TIC in both cells and tissues.
- Validation of molecular imaging agents with in vivo small animal efficacy studies.
Phase II activities and expected deliverables:
- Determine biosafety of the imaging agents with in vivo small animal toxicology studies.
- Demonstration of high reproducibility and accuracy of the imaging technology in an animal model.
- Demonstration of high specificity and sensitivity of the technology when compared to other non CSC/TIC.
- Validation of high throughput imaging and screening assays with primary cells and/or human tissues
- Demonstration of capabilities to monitor efficacy of drugs in CSC in cell lines and/or animals.
