3-D maps showing where radioactive cancer medicines go inside tissues
In Vivo 3-D Multi-Isotope Autoradiography of Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
This project will create detailed three-dimensional maps of how different radioactive cancer drugs spread through tumors and organs to guide safer, more precise treatments for people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247149 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are building high-resolution 3-D images that show where alpha- and beta-emitting radiopharmaceuticals go inside tissues at a microscopic level. They use multi-isotope labeling and advanced autoradiography methods applied to small-animal models to capture fine-scale distribution and kinetics that current clinical imaging cannot resolve. The work combines ex vivo tissue mapping with techniques designed to approximate in vivo behavior so scientists can link drug location to effects on specific cells and anatomical structures. Findings will inform how doses and targeting might be changed to increase tumor kill while lowering damage to nearby healthy tissue.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers treated or potentially treated with radiopharmaceutical therapies—especially metastatic cancers considered for alpha- or beta-emitter drugs—are the patients most likely to benefit from follow-up clinical advances informed by this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are treated with non-radiopharmaceutical approaches or who need immediate clinical care not related to radiopharmaceutical dosing changes are unlikely to see direct benefit from this preclinical project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors and drug developers design radiopharmaceuticals and dosing plans that better target tumors and reduce side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Autoradiography and microdosimetry methods are established, but combining multi-isotope, high-resolution 3-D mapping aimed at informing in vivo radiopharmaceutical dosing is a novel extension of prior techniques.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Du, Yong — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Du, Yong
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.