Easier PET scans that show how fast tumors are growing
Enabling translation of cancer cell proliferation PET imaging via droplet radiochemistry technology
This project will make a PET tracer that reveals tumor cell division faster and more reliably for people with many types of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307120 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have cancer that is hard to image with standard FDG PET, this team is working to improve a tracer called [18F]FMAU that lights up dividing tumor cells. They will use a miniaturized 'droplet' radiochemistry process to shorten production time, increase yield, and avoid corrosive reagents. The team will adapt the method for hospital-compatible automated synthesizers and validate that the tracer can be produced reliably and in amounts needed for clinical PET scans. Reliable production would enable multicenter patient studies and wider access to this type of imaging.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are cancer patients whose tumors are poorly imaged by [18F]FDG, such as slow-growing tumors or cancers with high background uptake (for example certain breast cancers).
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are already well-imaged with standard FDG PET or who do not require PET imaging are unlikely to see immediate benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get a PET scan that more directly shows tumor growth and whether treatments are working across multiple cancer types.
How similar studies have performed: Early clinical work with [11C]FMAU and preclinical [18F]FMAU studies have been promising, but production challenges have limited wider clinical testing until now.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Kai — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Chen, Kai
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.