Better MRI and genetic tests to understand and track adult brain tumors (glioblastoma and meningioma)
Official title: Imaging and Genomic Signatures of Brain Tumor Heterogeneity and Evolution to Optimize Patient Management
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11192762 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses advanced imaging and genetic information to find markers that help doctors treat adults with glioblastoma and meningioma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2007 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,654,906 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA118816-17 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192762 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with glioblastoma or meningioma who can undergo advanced imaging and provide tumor tissue or clinical data would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Children, people without glioblastoma or meningioma, or patients who cannot undergo advanced MRI scans are unlikely to benefit from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will combine advanced MRI techniques and new metabolic imaging with genetic and DNA-methylation tests from tumor samples to map differences inside tumors over time. They will link specific genomic changes to imaging patterns, including use of hyperpolarized 13C metabolic tracers, to see how tumors evolve and resist treatment. The team will use those imaging markers to identify new treatment targets and to show whether treatments are working early on. The work focuses on adults with glioblastoma and meningioma and aims to guide more personalized care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors tailor treatments sooner and detect aggressive recurrence earlier, which may improve outcomes and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that DNA-methylation and advanced imaging reveal important tumor biology, but combining hyperpolarized 13C metabolic imaging with genomics is a relatively new and promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Susan M — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Chang, Susan M
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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.