Assessing tumor oxygen levels to improve radiation therapy for brain tumors
Official title: Non-invasive, image-based, in-vivo assessment of tumor hypoxia to guide hypoxia-driven adaptive radiation therapy
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10661802 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to check oxygen levels in brain tumors using special MRI scans, which could help doctors customize radiation therapy for patients, making treatments more effective and with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $158,251 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA274426-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10661802 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with brain tumors who are undergoing or considering radiation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-brain tumors or those not receiving radiation therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to non-invasively measure oxygen levels in brain tumors using advanced MRI techniques. By evaluating factors like blood flow and oxygen extraction, the study aims to better understand how tumor hypoxia affects treatment outcomes. The goal is to personalize radiation therapy based on the oxygen status of tumors, potentially leading to more effective treatments and reduced side effects. Patients may benefit from a more tailored approach to their radiation therapy, improving their chances of successful treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized radiation therapy for patients with brain tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using MRI techniques to assess tumor hypoxia, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Osmundson, Evan C — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Osmundson, Evan C
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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.