Early Imaging Biomarkers in NSCLC

This study seeks to investigate the utility of novel imaging biomarkers, namely whole lung volumetric CT scans and cardiac MRI, to non-invasively identify early pathologic changes in pulmonary and cardiac function resulting from thoracic radiation. The ability to identify these changes during the course of treatment offers a powerful tool to optimize radiation dose distributions within uninvolved normal tissue by adapting treatment to the individual patient response. In addition it may lead to other therapeutic interventions designed to reduce long term cardiopulmonary toxicity. The cardiac MRI will be performed using Aminophylline, Gadopentetate Dimeglumine and Regadenoson. These are not FDA approved for this purpose, but are being used off label and are IND exempt. Additionally, patients will be consented with an optional choice to retain research blood samples for 15 years after the completion of the study. This will allow cutting edge analysis for biomarkers that may be discovered in the future.