In August 2001, AdMeTech Foundation, with support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, had convened a meeting of the pioneers of molecular imaging with the leaders of prostate cancer research in the areas of medical oncology, urologic surgery, radiation medicine and pathology. As the result of this event, the field of molecular imaging of prostate cancer has been established and the following investigators and research projects have been developed and funded:

1) Dr. William Sellers (Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University)

Key Accomplishment: 
Fundamental discovery that would make it possible to analyze glucose metabolism with PET imaging and to determine if cancer treatment is effective as early as 24 to 48 hours after its administration and long before currently possible. This discovery addresses the critical need to have tools for early assessment of treatment response that would make it possible to avoid ineffective, expensive treatment that usually causes major complications and reduction in the quality of life. 

Timeline of Accomplishment: 
Within six months post-grant award

Impact on the attraction of talented investigators into prostate imaging:
Dr. Sellers is a medical oncologist who had not been involved in prostate imaging until he participated in the AdMeTech’s Public Conference of February 1999 and our Brain Trust meeting of August 2001.

2) Dr. Irving Bigio (Boston University)

Key Accomplishment: 
Pioneered development of the new generation of prostate-dedicated novel optical technology Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy (ESS) to improve early detection and guidance of biopsy. 

Timeline of Accomplishment: 
Within one year post-grant award

Impact on the attraction of talented investigators into prostate imaging:
Dr. Bigio, one of the top leaders in optical imaging, has not worked in the area of prostate cancer until he participated in the AdMeTech’s public conferences and brain trust meetings, starting in June 1999.