Combining blood tests and MRI to predict treatment response in early breast cancer
Official title: Strategy for combining circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of tumor burden for prediction of response and outcome in neoadjuvant-treated early breast cancer
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10983795 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using blood tests to check for cancer DNA along with MRI scans can help doctors see how well early breast cancer patients are responding to their chemotherapy before surgery, so they can make better treatment decisions and improve outcomes for everyone involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 3, 2020 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $670,225 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA255442-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10983795 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with locally advanced breast cancer who are scheduled to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer who are not receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how combining circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help predict how well patients with early breast cancer respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). By monitoring tumor burden in real-time, the study aims to identify patients who achieve a complete response to treatment and those who may need additional therapy. The approach focuses on using biomarkers to guide treatment decisions, potentially improving outcomes for patients undergoing NAC. Participants will be part of a larger trial evaluating new therapies alongside standard treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized treatment plans for breast cancer patients, improving their chances of achieving a complete response to therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar multimodal approaches to predict treatment responses in cancer patients, indicating potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van't Veer, Laura J — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Van't Veer, Laura J
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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.