Advanced MRI to Track Prostate Cancer Treatment
Hyperpolarized C-13 MRI Techniques to Monitor Radiation Therapy Response in Prostate Cancer Patients
This research explores a new type of MRI scan to see how prostate cancer responds to radiation therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124018 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to use advanced MRI scans with a special tracer (hyperpolarized C-13 pyruvate) to watch how prostate cancer changes after radiation therapy. This new imaging method helps doctors understand if the treatment is working by looking at the cancer's metabolism, which is how its cells use energy. Current imaging often struggles to clearly show if prostate cancer is still active after radiation, sometimes leading to unnecessary side effects or missed opportunities to adjust treatment. This new MRI could provide a clearer picture, helping to guide better care for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be prostate cancer patients undergoing or who have recently completed stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).
Not a fit: Patients without prostate cancer or those not receiving radiation therapy for their prostate cancer would not directly benefit from this specific imaging approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new MRI could help doctors better understand if radiation therapy is working for prostate cancer, potentially leading to more effective and personalized treatment plans.
How similar studies have performed: Initial human studies at UCSF and other sites worldwide have shown promising, repeatable findings using this emerging imaging approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vigneron, Daniel B — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Vigneron, Daniel B
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.