The development and application of functional nuclear magnetic resonance toin vivotherapeutic anticancer research

A little over 30 years ago, Sir Godfrey Hounsfield and his colleagues revolutionized medical imaging by developing CT scanning. In recent years a combination of improved technology and a deeper understanding of tumour biology have led to the development of imaging based strategies aimed at interrogating tissue structure and function. The prospects of this new technology include the prediction of tumour response and the non-invasive study of conventionally inaccessible yet important pharmacological compartments. This article explores how functional nuclear MRI and spectroscopy have been used in predicting response to anticancer therapy in rectal cancers and to assess the biliary excretion of chemotherapeutics.