Advanced non-contrast MRI to track blood flow in brain metastases
Official title: Development and Evaluation of Advanced Non-Contrast Perfusion MRI for Monitoring Treatment Response in Brain Metastases
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11374112 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops improved non-contrast MRI methods that track blood flow in brain metastases to help doctors see how tumors respond to treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $570,211 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA282928-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374112 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with brain metastases who are scheduled for MRI follow-up during or after therapy and who can safely undergo MRI (no incompatible implants, can tolerate the scan) are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot have MRI, those with non-brain cancers, or those with very small or highly motion-prone lesions that prevent reliable blood-flow measurement may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers will use and refine arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI techniques that do not require contrast dye to create 3D maps of blood flow inside brain metastases. They plan to compare and improve methods such as pseudo-continuous ASL and velocity-selective ASL to reduce artifacts and better quantify cerebral blood flow. Imaging will be performed at multiple time points during treatment so changes in tumor vascularity can be followed without repeated contrast injections. The team aims to make scans more reliable and safer for frequent monitoring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow safer, repeatable MRI monitoring of tumor blood flow without contrast agents, helping doctors detect treatment effects sooner.
How similar studies have gone: Arterial spin labeling has shown promise for measuring tumor blood flow in prior work, but velocity-selective ASL is newer and less tested specifically in brain metastases.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qin, Qin — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Qin, Qin
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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.