Imaging markers of the tumor environment in early prostate cancer
Translational imaging biomarkers of the tumor microenvironment in early prostate cancer
This project uses MRI and a special PET tracer to look for imaging signs of early prostate cancer and the surrounding cells in men with primary prostate tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11168933 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would get multiparametric MRI and an 18F-DCFPyL (PSMA) PET/CT scan before prostate surgery. Doctors will compare those images to the actual prostate tissue removed at prostatectomy to map where cancer cells and supporting cells live. The team is especially interested in areas with low PSMA signal inside otherwise high-grade tumors to understand how tumors vary. The goal is to find imaging features that show when the tumor environment becomes likely to allow cancer to grow so it can be caught or changed earlier.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men with primary intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer who are planning to have prostatectomy are the best fit for this project.
Not a fit: Men with low-risk prostate cancer on active surveillance or those with widespread metastatic disease are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors spot dangerous prostate tumors earlier and guide treatments to target the tumor’s supporting cells.
How similar studies have performed: PSMA PET and mpMRI are already used in prostate cancer care, but applying them to map and reprogram the tumor microenvironment is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pomper, Martin G — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Pomper, Martin G
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.