Advisory Committee Chair
Hope Amm
Advisory Committee Members
Jason Warram
Anna Sorace
Carissa Thomas
Harishanker Jeyarajan
Suzanne Lapi
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
1-1-2025
Degree Name by School
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) School of Dentistry
Abstract
Antibody-based imaging modalities have become more common in the field of imaging oncology as more biomarkers are identified for certain cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in several cancer types including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and ameloblastoma (AB). The over- expression in these cancers has been targeted with antibodies such as Panitumumab and Cetuximab for imaging modalities. These antibodies can be conjugated with IRDye800 molecules for intraoperative fluorescence imaging or radiolabel for pre-operative positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging. These agents could provide surgeons with additional exams to identify carcinoma in scenarios where only visual exams are possible. Ameloblastoma is an intraosseous tumor and 12-50% percent of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients present with bone invasion. This involvement with the tumor and bone makes it increasingly difficult in both tumor types to delineate healthy from cancerous tissue. This often leaves patients with high re- occurrence rates in both diseases. Current imaging modalities for these bone-involved tumors are computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or cone beam CT (CBCT) of the area. These imaging modalities can only be used in a pre- iii operative fashion but lack specificity for identifying tumors. We hypothesize that using EGFR antibody-targeted imaging modalities will provide high sensitivity and specificity when labeling OSCC with bone invasion and AB for each respective imaging modality.
Recommended Citation
Stone, Logan Daniel, "Precision Imaging For Head And Neck Tumors" (2025). All ETDs from UAB. 6891.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/6891
Comments
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