Innovative Neuroimaging and Spectroscopy Research Laboratory (INSPire)

Focus

The research at INSPire lab is primarily directed towards development, optimization and application of metabolic and physiologic MR imaging techniques in various neuro-oncologic clinical applications. Particularly, we leverage the potential of robust, reproducible, objective and quantitative 3T MR imaging derived parameters and molecular signatures combined with machine learning based methods for making accurate diagnosis and assessment of treatment response in glioblastoma patients receiving standard of care treatment and novel therapies such as tumor treating fields, immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

Currently, we are conducting a double blinded randomized clinical trial (NCT05086497) in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The purpose of this trial is to employ whole brain spectroscopic imaging derived choline/N-acetylaspartate maps to accurately define the target volume [solid contrast enhancing regions i.e., visible tumor + infiltrative regions of glioblastomas i.e., invisible tumor] for enhanced delivery of tumor treating fields to improve the survival outcomes and quality of life measures in of these patients with this dismal disease.

Our lab is also active in the clinical translation implementation and utilization of the powerful imaging capabilities of 7 Tesla MRI to real-life benefits for brain tumor patients such as 7T two-dimensional correlation (2D-COSY) and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) techniques in the identification of IDH mutation in gliomas.

We have assembled an expert and dedicated team of investigators (neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, neurooncologists, neuropathologists, clinical neuroscientists, project managers and clinical research coordinators, research assistants) from Penn Medicine and other institutions for providing expertise inputs in the pursuit of successful outcome of our study goals. Additionally, we have established strong collaboration with our industry partners from NovoCure Ltd. for planning and evaluation of treatment response in glioblastoma patients receiving tumor treating fields.

Leadership

Headshot of Suyash Mohan, MD Suyash Mohan, MD Principal Investigator
Sanjeev Chawla, PhD Principal Investigator

Laboratory details