Imaging to detect progressive lung scarring early
Advanced Imaging for Pulmonary Fibrosis
This project uses new PET and CT imaging methods to find which people with non‑IPF interstitial lung disease will develop progressive pulmonary fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172575 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get two advanced scans—a PET scan with a new tracer that binds fibrotic tissue and a high‑resolution CT analyzed with quantitative methods—so researchers can look for early signs of scarring. Participants will be followed over time with repeat imaging, lung function tests, and symptom tracking to see who develops progressive pulmonary fibrosis. The team will compare imaging measurements to clinical outcomes to learn which imaging features predict progression. If imaging can reliably identify high‑risk patients, it could let doctors start antifibrotic treatment sooner, plan for transplant referral, or match people to clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with non‑IPF interstitial lung disease who are not yet confirmed to have progressive pulmonary fibrosis and who can undergo PET/CT scans and follow‑up visits.
Not a fit: People without interstitial lung disease, those with established IPF already on antifibrotic therapy, or individuals unable to undergo PET/CT imaging may not benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let doctors start antifibrotic treatment earlier, improve prognosis, and guide timely transplant referral or trial enrollment.
How similar studies have performed: Antifibrotic drugs like nintedanib have shown benefit for progressive non‑IPF ILD (INBUILD), but using PET tracers and advanced CT to predict progression is a relatively new and still unproven approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Montesi, Sydney — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Montesi, Sydney
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.