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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $599,191 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA286505-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-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
- 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.