Posted Thursday, August 4, 2011 --- 12:45 p.m.

Press Release:

MADISON, Wis.- Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center have been awarded $1 million over two years to lead research on tracking prostate cancer progression by using novel imaging methods.

Dr. Glenn Liu and Robert Jeraj are assessing response in bone as a tool for treatment development.

Dr. Glenn Liu and Robert Jeraj are also identifying biomarkers of the disease.

Dr. Liu is one of the first two recipients of the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) A. David Mazzone-PCF Challenge Awards. The awards are designed to support multi-disciplinary teams of investigators that are using highly innovative methods of research in strategic areas of prostate cancer. The PCF Awards also signify research that has potential near-term benefits for patients.

Liu and Jeraj are leading research using novel imaging methods of a unique imaging substance to track the spread of prostate cancer and treatment response. The team is using 18F-Sodium fluoride, which is specific to cancerous bone lesions, in positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scans to monitor disease progression and to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs that target prostate cancer. The investigators are also studying different biomarkers in hopes that a panel of imaging biomarkers will be robust enough to differentiate treatment effectiveness towards standard and novel therapeutics.

The PCF says that the work of Liu and his team could lead to better diagnostic and treatment response tools and provide greater confidences for patients and their physicians.