Methods for assessing stage of
cancer in a subject are provided, comprising administering a macrophage
imaging agent to the subject, making a magnetic
resonance image of regions of the subject's body at
cancer risk, and using the image to assess macrophage density and displacement associated with any
primary cancer or metastatic
cancer in the subject, such density and displacement being indicative of neoplasia. The macrophage
imaging agent may be an ultrasmall
superparamagnetic iron oxide particle and in particular embodiments, the macrophage
imaging agent has a blood half-life sufficient to permit microphage
trapping throughout the regions at
cancer risk. Additional embodiments provide methods for assessing
efficacy of an
anticancer treatment in a subject, methods for determining frequency of follow-up MEMRI evaluation in a subject, methods for determining metastatic potential of cancer foci in a subject, and methods for determining prognosis of cancer in a subject. Methods for directing site of
biopsy in a subject by performing a
whole body MEMRI evaluation of the subject to identify macrophage density at a
tumor site of interest and assessing the macrophage density to identify the site of
biopsy in the subject, macrophage density being an indicator of
tumor growth are also provided, in addition to methods for providing individualized
cancer treatment to a subject in need thereof using
whole body MEMRI evaluation.