A new device to improve MRI measurements for pancreatic cancer treatment response

Disposable Perfusion Phantom for Accurate DCE-MRI Measurement of Pancreatic Cancer Therapy Response

NIH-funded research University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10663915

This study is testing a new device that helps make MRI scans more accurate for measuring how well treatment is working for patients with pancreatic cancer, especially those whose tumors are tricky to remove, so doctors can make better decisions about their care.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Birmingham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10663915 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on validating a novel device called the P4 (Point-of-care Portable Perfusion Phantom) that enhances the accuracy of DCE-MRI (Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in measuring how pancreatic tumors respond to neoadjuvant therapy. By using this device during MRI scans, researchers aim to reduce variability in measurements caused by different MRI machines, which is crucial for assessing treatment effectiveness. The study will explore how well this device can detect early changes in tumor perfusion, which may indicate a positive response to chemotherapy before any physical shrinkage of the tumor occurs. This could lead to better treatment decisions for patients with pancreatic cancer, particularly those with tumors that are borderline resectable.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer who are undergoing neoadjuvant therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those who are not receiving neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate assessments of pancreatic cancer treatment responses, allowing for timely adjustments in therapy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using similar imaging techniques to assess tumor responses, but the P4 device represents a novel approach to reducing measurement variability.

Where this research is happening

Birmingham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancersneoplasm/cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.