Combining Imaging and Blood Tests to Track Cancer Treatment and Predict Changes
Integration of Imaging and Circulating Plasma Cell-Free DNA Sequencing Using MSK-ACCESS to Monitor Treatment Response and Predict Progression in Patients With Multiple Cancers on Targeted Therapy
This project aims to combine advanced imaging with blood tests to get a clearer picture of how well new cancer treatments are working for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11117005 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Currently, it can be challenging to quickly tell if a new cancer treatment is truly helping or if the cancer is progressing. This project seeks to make treatment monitoring more precise by integrating information from standard imaging scans, like CT scans, with changes in cancer DNA found in a patient's blood. Researchers have already observed that changes in cancer DNA in the blood can appear before changes are visible on imaging, potentially offering an earlier warning. They are using a highly sensitive blood test called MSK-ACCESS, which is designed to find specific genetic changes in cancer, similar to a test used on tumor tissue. This combined approach could help doctors understand sooner if a targeted therapy is effective or if adjustments are needed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is for patients with various types of cancer who are receiving targeted therapies, especially those whose cancer has specific genetic changes.
Not a fit: Patients not undergoing targeted therapy or those whose cancer does not have specific genetic alterations may not directly benefit from this particular monitoring approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help doctors understand sooner if a cancer treatment is working or if the cancer is progressing, potentially allowing for more timely adjustments to therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this research team has shown that changes in cancer DNA in the blood can be detected earlier than changes seen on imaging, indicating promise for this approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berger, Michael F. — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Berger, Michael F.
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.