Bedside 3D contrast ultrasound to map blood flow in liver tumors
A 3D DCE-US Interconnected Voxel Analysis Framework for Bedside Characterization of Tumor Vascular Properties in Liver Malignancies.
This project uses bedside 3D contrast-enhanced ultrasound to map tumor blood vessels and help monitor treatment in people with primary or metastatic liver cancer.
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 ID | NIH-11193495 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have a bedside 3D ultrasound with a small contrast injection that captures the whole tumor volume over time. Researchers will apply new computer algorithms that examine how neighboring 3D pixels (voxels) connect and how contrast flows through them to describe the tumor's blood vessel network. They will link these 3D vascular maps to treatment outcomes to see if the images can show response or changes earlier than current scans. The goal is a quick, noninvasive bedside tool to give more personalized information about tumor blood flow without complex imaging suites.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with primary liver cancer or liver metastases who can receive contrast-enhanced ultrasound and are having imaging before or during treatment would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without liver tumors, those who cannot receive ultrasound contrast (for example due to allergy), or those whose tumors are not visible by ultrasound (for example because of body habitus or bowel gas) may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide quick, noninvasive bedside maps of tumor blood flow that help personalize treatment choices and detect whether a liver tumor is responding to therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work using 2D contrast-enhanced ultrasound has helped predict treatment response, but fully volumetric 3D approaches and interconnected-voxel analysis are newer and less tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- 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 below.