Enhanced MRI spectroscopy to detect and monitor liver cancer
Dynamic Nuclear Polarization MR Spectroscopic Imaging for Diagnosis and Treatment Response Assessment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
This project uses a boosted MRI method to help find and track hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) in people who have the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248819 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, doctors will use a special technique called dynamic nuclear polarization to make metabolic signals from liver tumors much stronger on MRI. I would receive these enhanced MR spectroscopy scans before and after treatment so clinicians can see tumor metabolism and early changes. The team will compare the new scans with standard contrast-enhanced MRI and clinical follow-up to determine whether the method finds small tumors or early recurrence more reliably. The scans require specialized equipment and may be done at major research hospitals with that capability.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, especially those undergoing treatment or surveillance for recurrence, would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without liver cancer, those who cannot undergo MRI (for example due to incompatible implants), or those unable to travel to the study site are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could find small liver cancers earlier and show whether a treatment is working sooner than current scans.
How similar studies have performed: Early animal work and first-in-human studies of hyperpolarized MR spectroscopy have shown promise for tracking tumor metabolism, but applying it specifically to liver cancer is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gade, Terence P — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Gade, Terence P
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.