Better MRI detection and classification of invasive high-grade brain tumors
Official title: Towards MRI-based detection and categorization of invasive high grade glioma subtypes
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11247530 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses advanced MRI scans to spot and tell apart invasive types of high-grade brain tumors so doctors can find tumor cells that hide beyond standard scans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | December 13, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $513,775 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA288396-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247530 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with high-grade glioma (for example glioblastoma or other HGGs), especially those undergoing advanced imaging, biopsy, or treatment planning, are the best fit for this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without high-grade brain tumors, those with low-grade tumors, or patients whose disease is entirely contrast-enhancing on standard MRI may not benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Researchers will combine advanced MRI techniques that probe tumor microstructure and metabolism with biopsy-linked imaging data to recognize two invasive high-grade glioma subtypes called NEU and GPM. The team builds on prior work using hundreds of image-localized biopsy samples to teach which imaging patterns correspond to each subtype. The focus is on finding infiltrative, non‑enhancing tumor cells that standard contrast MRI misses so treatment targets can be improved. Results would be developed and validated at the investigators' imaging and clinical sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could make hidden infiltrative tumor regions visible on MRI, enabling more accurate surgery and radiation targeting and potentially lowering recurrence rates.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies correlating image-localized biopsies with molecular tumor subtypes are promising, but reliably distinguishing NEU and GPM invasive cells by MRI remains a novel and not yet clinically established approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beeman, Scott Charles — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Beeman, Scott Charles
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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.