High-resolution breast PET combined with 3-D mammography
High Performance, Quantitative Breast PET Scanner Integrated With Tomosynthesis
A new imaging machine that combines PET with 3-D mammography helps doctors find, measure, and guide treatment for breast cancer patients.
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-11233285 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project tests a device that takes molecular PET images and 3-D mammograms while the breast is in the same mildly compressed position so the pictures line up. It uses a small dose of a common tracer (FDG) to show tumor activity and pairs that with detailed anatomical images from digital breast tomosynthesis. The dedicated high-resolution, time-of-flight PET scanner is designed to give quantitative images that can guide biopsies, surgical planning, and monitoring during treatment. Researchers will image selected patient groups to show how well the combined pictures define tumor size and margins, measure residual tumor after chemotherapy, and improve the device hardware and software for clinical use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with suspected or confirmed breast cancer who can undergo PET/DBT imaging and may be planning biopsy, surgery, or neoadjuvant therapy are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer, pregnant women, or those who cannot tolerate breast compression or PET tracers are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the combined images could make biopsies and surgery more precise and improve tracking of treatment response.
How similar studies have performed: Separate dedicated breast PET and 3-D mammography approaches have shown promise in research, but fully integrated, co-registered PET/DBT systems are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Surti, Suleman — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Surti, Suleman
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.