MIMOSA: MRI Assessment of Tumour Microstructure in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain cancer in adults and one of the most aggressive forms of solid tumour. It has no known cure and an average survival of 12-15 months from diagnosis. There is an urgent need to improve our understanding and treatment of GBM. Key to this and in developing new treatments, lies in the way GBM manipulates the surrounding normal brain into helping it become more aggressive.

This project builds on the well-established collaboration between the Velindre Cancer Centre brain tumour team and Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC). We will utilise the world-leading expertise and brain scanners available at CUBRIC and use these advanced scanners in patients with GBM. This will allow us to understand and predict how patient’s tumours change following treatment and, importantly, allow us to recognise earlier whether treatment is or isn’t working.

To maximise the impact of this research we will compile a corresponding information-rich database of clinical information, providing a resource for improving brain tumour research. This project will build on an existing network of experts in brain tumour research and treatment who have been working together for over 5 years with support from patients and caregivers.