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Abstract #0162

Imaging the Relationship between Tumour Interstitial Fluid Velocity & Microvascular Perfusion with ConvectionMRI

SUMMA25Simon Walker-Samuel1, Jake Burrell2, Rajiv Ramasawmy1, Peter Johnson3, Jack Wells1, Bernard Siow1, Simon P. Robinson2, Barbara Pedley3, Mark F. Lythgoe1

1Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom; 2CR-UK & EPSRC Cancer Imaging Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom; 3Cancer Institute, University College London, United Kingdom


High tumour interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) is hypothesised to be caused by raised vascular permeability and thus driven by microvascular pressure. We have developed a novel method for measuring tumour interstitial fluid velocity (IFV) named convectionMRI that can map the path of fluid transport through the tumour interstitium. By combining this technique with arterial spin labelling to evaluate vascular perfusion, we have shown a correspondence between IFV spatial distribution, vascular perfusion and spatial pressure gradients that are consistent with this microvascular pressure hypothesis. We discuss the potential for the non-invasive assessment of barriers to drug delivery.