1: NMR Biomed. 2008 Mar;21(3):296-300.

Molecular electron paramagnetic resonance imaging of melanin in melanomas: a
proof-of-concept.

Vanea E, Charlier N, Dewever J, Dinguizli M, Feron O, Baurain JF, Gallez B.

Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Unit, Université Catholique de Louvain, UCL,
Brussels, Belgium.

The incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing at an alarming rate. As the
clinical outcome of the disease strongly depends on the localization of the
lesion, early detection at the initial stages of development is critical. Here,
we suggest spatial characterization of melanoma based on the presence of
endogenous stable free radicals in melanin pigments. Taking into account the
abundance of these naturally occurring free radicals in proliferating melanocytes
and their localization pattern, we hypothesized that electron paramagnetic
resonance (EPR) imaging could be a unique tool for mapping melanomas with high
sensitivity and high resolution. The potential of EPR to image melanoma samples
was demonstrated in vitro in animal and human samples. Using EPR systems
operating at low frequency, we were also able to record in vivo EPR spectra and
images from the melanin present in a subcutaneous melanoma implanted in a mouse. 
In addition to the proof-of-concept and the achievement of providing the first
non-invasive image of an endogenous radical, this technology may represent a key 
advance in improving the diagnosis of suspected melanoma lesions. Copyright (c)
2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


PMID: 18246539 [PubMed - in process]

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