A smarter radiomics tool to predict lymph node cancer spread for targeted neck cancer radiation
Official title: A Multifaceted Radiomics Model to Predict Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis for Involved Nodal Radiation Therapy
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11372242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new radiomics model uses imaging data to predict which cervical lymph nodes are cancerous so doctors can tailor radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $542,556 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA251792-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy, whose nodal disease status is being evaluated for treatment planning.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without head and neck cancer or those not planned for involved nodal radiotherapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops and tests a multifaceted imaging-based model to identify malignant cervical lymph nodes in head and neck cancer. Using CT imaging and advanced algorithms, it aims to improve how radiation therapy volumes are defined, reducing exposure to healthy tissue. The work focuses on enhancing accuracy in identifying involved nodes to minimize side effects while preventing regional recurrence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more precise radiation that harms fewer healthy tissues and lowers long-term side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous radiomics studies have shown promise in tumor characterization, with ongoing work to translate models into clinical practice.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jing — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jing
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Better Radiation Planning for Head and Neck Cancer
This work aims to use advanced imaging to accurately find cancer in lymph nodes for people with head and neck cancer, helping doctors target radiation more precisely.
-
A model to predict lymph node cancer spread for targeted radiation therapy
This study is looking to develop a smart tool that uses special imaging to figure out if lymph nodes in the neck have cancer, so that only the ones that really need treatment get targeted radiation, helping to avoid unnecessary side effects for patients.
-
Lymph node metastasis and immune tolerance in head and neck cancer
A study in people with head and neck cancer looks at how cancer spread to lymph nodes may shape the immune system and help tumors grow.
-
How lymph node metastasis affects the body's immune response to tumors
This study is looking at how cancer spreading to lymph nodes affects the body's immune response, especially in people with melanoma and other solid tumors, to find new ways to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
-
Targeting how RMS cells fail to mature to slow or stop pediatric muscle cancer spread
A project to understand why a pediatric muscle cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma spreads, and to test ideas that could slow or stop it by helping cancer cells mature properly.
-
Centers studying how cancer spreads through the body
A multi-institutional project at Rockefeller University is exploring how nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, immune cells, and metabolites influence the spread of cancer to help identify new ways to stop metastasis.
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.