SUMMARY
The research involvement and interests of Scott M. Thompson, M.D., Ph.D., include molecular mechanisms and tumor biology of locoregional therapies for hepatobiliary and prostate cancers; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and molecular imaging biomarkers for hepatobiliary and prostate cancers; and development of minimally invasive interventional oncologic therapies for hepatobiliary and prostate cancers.
Dr. Thompson also focuses on molecular biology, pathology, imaging and treatment of vascular anomalies and lymphatic disorders with a multidisciplinary team. Additional research involves interventional MRI (iMRI) for diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant soft tissue neoplasms.
Focus areas
- Molecular mechanisms of interventional oncologic therapies for liver and prostate cancers. Dr. Thompson and David A. Woodrum, M.D., Ph.D., lead a multidisciplinary team of basic, translational and clinical science researchers from Mayo Clinic in the discovery of molecular mechanisms of catheter- and ablation-based therapies for liver and prostate cancers. They are currently working to develop interventional oncologic strategies combining small molecular inhibitors targeting the key cell survival protein Akt with thermal ablation or cryoablation. The goal is to increase tumor response and prevent local recurrence in liver and prostate cancers.
- Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as a theranostic target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Dr. Thompson, Michael S. Torbenson, M.D., and Ajit H. Goenka, M.D., lead the investigation of PSMA as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in HCC. Preclinical experiments have shown that ex vivo expression of PSMA in neovasculature of HCC translates to marked tumor uptake on 68Ga-PSMA PET imaging in patients. This suggests that PSMA is a candidate theranostic target in patients with HCC. Dr. Thompson and colleagues are developing a phase 1 clinical trial of catheter-directed delivery of PSMA-based radioligand therapy for treatment of HCC.
- Genomics, imaging and treatment of vascular anomalies and lymphatic disorders. Dr. Thompson, David A. Woodrum, M.D., Ph.D., Emily C. Bendel, M.D., and their colleagues in the Vascular Anomalies Clinic are investigating methods of minimally invasive tissue biopsy of vascular anomalies for genomic, molecular biology and pathology studies. The long-term goal is to better understand the molecular basis of vascular anomalies and identify patient-specific therapeutic targets to develop individualized patient treatment strategies. Additionally, they are conducting studies on quality of life and outcomes after MRI-guided ablation of vascular anomalies, as well as developing new approaches to imaging lymphatic disorders with MR lymphangiography.
Significance to patient care
Liver and prostate cancers are major causes of morbidity, mortality and care-associated costs worldwide. Dr. Thompson's long-term goal is to translate his team's research into more effective minimally invasive, interventional oncologic therapies for liver and prostate cancers. Dr. Thompson and his colleagues focus on identifying molecular mechanisms of catheter- and ablation-based interventional oncologic therapies to optimize treatment through combination treatment strategies.
In addition, Dr. Thompson is a member of the multidisciplinary Vascular Anomalies Clinic at Mayo Clinic. Through this collaboration, the team provides comprehensive care for patients with vascular anomalies and lymphatic disorders, with a goal to develop individualized, precision-medicine treatment strategies through basic, translational and clinical research.
Professional highlights
- Member, Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System Treatment Response Working Group, 2019-present