NIH-funded research R21 grant

Developing a new type of radiation detector for precise cancer treatment

Official title: Ultrafast FLASH radiation therapy dosimetry

Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-10840959 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on a new type of radiation detector that can quickly and accurately measure radiation during FLASH therapy, a cutting-edge cancer treatment, to help make the therapy more effective for patients.

More Radiation Therapy research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Kansas Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Kansas City, United States)
Project startJuly 1, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$172,098
NIH project number5R21CA274193-02
Project IDNIH-10840959 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer who may benefit from enhanced treatment precision.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not receiving radiation therapy or those with conditions that do not require such treatment may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating an innovative radiation detector that can measure radiation doses with exceptional speed and accuracy, specifically for FLASH radiation therapy, which is a promising cancer treatment. The project utilizes advanced low-gain-avalanche-detector technology combined with ultrafast electronics to achieve unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution in radiation measurement. By accurately capturing the details of radiation pulses, this technology aims to improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy for patients. The research is being conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center and involves collaboration between engineers and biomedical researchers.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer radiation therapy for cancer patients, potentially improving treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing advanced radiation detection technologies, but this specific approach using LGAD technology is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Kansas Medical Center
    Kansas City, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Li, Harold Hui — University of Kansas Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Li, Harold Hui

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.