Efficient AI-Driven Image Guidance for Upright Lung Proton Therapy
Official title: Efficient AI-Driven Image Guidance for Lung Cancer Upright Proton Therapy
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11431356 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused AI-powered system helps guide upright proton therapy for lung cancer to improve accuracy and accessibility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $606,756 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA316471-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11431356 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with lung cancer who are candidates for upright proton therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not eligible for upright proton therapy or who cannot tolerate proton therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to make upright proton therapy safer and more effective for people with lung cancer by using advanced AI to guide image-based targets and align images taken in upright and traditional positions. Researchers will develop a vision-language tool to auto-outline tumors using imaging and patient data, and create a registration method that matches upright scans with prior body positions. The work will be tested on Stanford’s upright proton therapy system to see if treatment plans become more precise and quicker. If successful, this could lead to more accurate dose delivery with potentially fewer side effects for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more precise and accessible proton therapy with better tumor targeting and potentially fewer treatment-related side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous AI-guided imaging work has improved radiotherapy planning in various settings, with this upright-specific approach offering a novel adaptation.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dai, Xianjin — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Dai, Xianjin
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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.