DrYaser Hadi Gholami

Positronium the key for cancer annihilation

Despite recent technologies and advancements, the detection sensitivity and specificity for clinically meaningful early detection of cancer with high diagnostic accuracy remains a great challenge. The aim of this project is to develop a novel anti-matter marker, positronium (i.e. a hydrogen like positron–electron complex), with quantum sensitivity and specificity for early cancer diagnosis, a medical technology not previously recognised. Unlike biological markers, positronium can interact with any type of cells or tissues without a need for a targeting agent. Furthermore, the positronium interaction with different type of cells reveals a unique quantum signature which can be used for accurate cell characterisation. Despite the limited studies on positronium in medicine, new research is needed to reveal what positronium can offer in cancer medicine. Thus, this quantum-medicine-platform can potentially offer a novel marker for clinically meaningful early detection of cancer with high diagnostic accuracy and represents a paradigm shift for cancer medicine in the 21^stcentury.

Radionanomedicine for enhanced imaging and targeted therapy

In collaboration with Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital a chelate-free theranostic magnetic Nano-platform for non-invasively detecting, diagnosing and eliminating lymph node metastases has been developed. Metastases is the leading cause of death from all types of cancer and first appears in nearby lymph nodes. For many patients, by the time the primary cancer is detected, it has already metastasised. This is further compounded by very limited and largely ineffective treatment strategies, resulting in poor prognosis: across all cancer types, 90% of patients succumb to metastases within 5 years of diagnosis. While local control may be achieved by surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation, it is the metastatic disease which is often the most difficult to control and precipitates the ultimate demise of the patient. Despite the advancement in current medical imaging and therapy, due to the small size and low vascularisation of lymph node metastases, they are very difficult to be detected, diagnosed and effectively treated. To address this, a novel multifunctional nano-platform with natural immune targeting mechanism for simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and targeted radionuclide therapy for lymph node metastases was developed. This nano-platform is based on a radiolabelled FDA approved nanoparticle Feraheme® to integrate high sensitivity detection (with PET) and high spatial resolution diagnosis (with dual MRI contrast modalities: positive and negative contrasts), as well as delivering radionuclide therapy that can target metastatic tumour cells in the lymph nodes. The aim of this project is to carry out the necessary preclinical animal studies in preparation for a first-in-human clinical study using our novel nano-platform in identifying and treating lymph node metastases.

Defining the BED Dose-Response Relationship for Y-90 SIRT in Metastatic Liver Cancer

A better understanding of the radiation dose response relationship for Y-90 selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) will lead to more tailored treatments and improved patient outcomes. The aim of this project is to establish a dose-response relationship for Y-90 SIRT and examine which dosimetric parameters best predict lesion response to SIRT. This project also aims to build on our basic science and clinical platforms in a translational framework to re-evaluate the dose-response relationship in a large cohort of subjects. Additionally, in collaboration with the University of Oxford (Institute for Radiation Oncology), a common framework for a combined approach to treating liver metastases using both EBRT and SIRT will be implemented.