Combining inherited genetic risk and MRI to find clinically important prostate cancer
Polygenic risk stratification combined with mpMRI to identify clinically relevant prostate cancer
['FUNDING_U01'] · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · NIH-11373513
This project uses a genetic risk score plus MRI scans to help find dangerous prostate cancer earlier in men with higher inherited risk.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11373513 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will use a blood or saliva test to calculate your polygenic risk score and may test for rare DNA repair gene changes, and you may be asked to have prostate MRI scans. The team will enroll 1,500 men (about 600 Black and 900 White) from hospital biobanks and primary care clinics to gather genetic, imaging, and clinical data. They will follow participants over time to see how well the combined genetic and MRI approach spots higher-grade, potentially lethal prostate cancer and to learn when screening should begin and how often imaging should be done. The goal is to build a practical early-detection plan that works across diverse groups of men.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are men without a prior prostate cancer diagnosis who are willing to provide genetic samples and undergo prostate MRI, especially those with family history or other risk factors and including Black and White men.
Not a fit: Men who already have a prostate cancer diagnosis or who are not willing to provide genetic samples or undergo MRI are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help detect clinically important prostate cancer earlier in men with high inherited risk and personalize when and how often they get screened.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows polygenic risk scores can separate higher- and lower-risk men and that mpMRI improves detection of significant tumors, but prospectively combining these tools across diverse populations is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KIBEL, ADAM S — BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: KIBEL, ADAM S
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.