NIH-funded research R01 grant

Analyzing tumor blood vessel properties in liver cancer using advanced imaging techniques.

Official title: A 3D DCE-US Interconnected Voxel Analysis Framework for Bedside Characterization of Tumor Vascular Properties in Liver Malignancies.

Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10982172 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new, gentle way to look at the blood vessels in liver tumors using special ultrasound technology, which could help doctors understand how these tumors grow and respond to treatment, ultimately aiming to give patients more personalized care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project startSeptember 16, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2029
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$599,191
NIH project number1R01CA286505-01A1
Project IDNIH-10982172 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with primary or metastatic liver cancers.

Less likely to help

Patients with liver tumors that are not accessible for imaging or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new method to non-invasively analyze the blood vessel networks in liver tumors using 3D dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (3D DCE-US). By examining the unique vascular properties of tumors, the study aims to improve the understanding of how these properties influence cancer progression and treatment responses. The approach involves advanced computational techniques to assess the interconnected nature of tumor voxels, which can lead to more accurate diagnostics and treatment monitoring. Patients with liver malignancies may benefit from this innovative diagnostic tool that aims to provide personalized treatment insights.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and personalized treatment strategies for patients with liver cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for tumor analysis, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements in liver cancer diagnostics.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California, San Diego
    La Jolla, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: El Kaffas, Ahmed — University of California, San Diego
  • Study coordinator: El Kaffas, Ahmed

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.