Non-invasive Quantification of Liver Iron With MRI

This study is being conducted to build a library of prospectively collected clinical data from subjects with iron overload examined with commercially available MRI devices. This data library is intended for use in future engineering development and other research activities, including future regulatory submissions. Data from human subjects is required to develop and test Magnetic resonance (MR) reconstruction techniques that can provide quantitative information about tissue properties, such as volumetric fat and iron concentrations. Collection of MR data and corresponding quantitative liver iron concentration (LIC) data is necessary for development of MR techniques that can show both overall and regional iron concentrations of in vivo tissues. These techniques may provide viable alternatives to invasive and expensive conventional liver biopsy and to less accurate serum biomarker testing, potentially benefiting future clinical patients with iron overload.

MR image data and corresponding quantitative data about serum and liver iron levels will be collected from each subject in this study. These datasets are considered suitable for future development and testing of MR reconstruction software, including MR reconstruction algorithms developed by General Electric Healthcare (GEHC) to use Longitudinal relaxation rate equal to the reciprocal of T2 relaxation time (1/T2) (R2) techniques to assess LIC. To achieve a sufficiently diverse library for future testing, MRI data of the liver and surrounding tissues will be acquired using 1.5T and 3.0T GEHC IDEAL IQ scans and commercially available 1.5T MRI scans conducted according to the FerriScan® Specialized Reconstruction Service guidelines (Resonance Health, Claremont, AU). Quantitative hematologic (serum ferritin) based on blood testing and FerriScan® Analysis Service LIC reports will be collected for each subject.

Inclusion criteria

• Be at least ten (10) years of age;
• Have clinical history of iron overload;
• If female of childbearing potential (not surgically sterile or post-menopausal), be determined non-pregnant by the medical co-investigator and/or a delegated physician on the study staff or are demonstrated non-pregnant by negative urine pregnancy test administered within the 24 hour period before participating in study procedures;
• Provide evidence of willingness to participate by providing written informed consent to participate OR, if aged less than 18 years (<18) be willing to provide written assent to participate and have parent(s) or legal guardian(s) willing to provide written informed consent for the subject's participation;
• Be able to hear and understand instructions without assistive devices;
• Have necessary mental capacity to understand instructions be able to comply with protocol requirements;
• Be able to remain relatively motionless for the expected duration of imaging procedures (maximum of approximately 90 minutes).

Exclusion criteria

• Have medical history of present or prior focal liver disease, such as neoplasms or vascular abnormalities;
• Have contraindication(s) to MRI scanning per the routine MR Safety Screening policy of the investigational site;
• Are scheduled for surgery, changes in dosage or type of chelating medications, or other medical interventions in between blood draw and MRI scanning that could be expected to impact study results or conduct;
• Have had or plan to have a change in dosage or type of chelating medications (such as Deferoxamine or Deferasirox) within the 3 days prior to the first study procedure (blood draw or MRI, whichever comes first);
• Are minor subjects with parent(s) or legal guardian(s) that require that they accompany the subject into the MR environment;
• Have previously participated in this study.