Collagen-targeted PET imaging to guide pancreatic cancer treatment planning
Official title: Molecular Imaging of Fibrosis for Improved Treatment Planning of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11353991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-scientist at a major hospital is testing a new PET imaging probe to better map fibrosis in pancreatic cancer so treatments can be planned more accurately.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $267,629 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA259626-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11353991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma undergoing neoadjuvant therapy and needing precise tumor sizing for treatment planning.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not demonstrate detectable collagen I–related signals or who are unable to undergo PET imaging may not benefit.
What this research studies
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is hard to treat, and current imaging often fails to show how tumors respond to treatment. This project aims to use a collagen I–targeted PET tracer, 68Ga-CBP8, to more precisely measure tumor size and treatment response non-invasively. By improving tumor delineation, clinicians can plan radiotherapy and other therapies with greater confidence and potentially reduce the need for invasive biopsies. The work combines advanced imaging science with cancer biology to translate a fibrosis-focused biomarker into patient care at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more accurate treatment plans, reduced invasive procedures, and potentially better outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research support for collagen-targeted imaging shows promise, but this specific tracer for PDAC is a novel approach with early-stage results.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abdar Esfahani, Shadi — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Abdar Esfahani, Shadi
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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.