Improved fibrin-targeted radiopharmaceutical for gastric cancer
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11451862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new radiopharmaceutical targets fibrin in gastric cancer to help treat advanced disease with potentially fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $421,825 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA309013-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer who have limited options due to chemotherapy resistance and are eligible for radiopharmaceutical therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-gastric cancers or those unable to tolerate radiopharmaceuticals or with contraindications to radiotherapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a fibrin-targeted radiopharmaceutical for gastric cancer, aiming to deliver radiation more precisely to tumors while sparing normal tissue. It builds on evidence that fibrin is abundant in gastric tumors and metastases, which could allow targeted therapy even after chemotherapy resistance develops. The work involves preclinical evaluation in relevant models to optimize delivery, binding, and safety before any patient trials. If successful, this approach could offer a new option for patients with advanced gastric cancer who have limited treatment choices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with advanced gastric cancer could receive a more targeted therapy that may improve tumor control while reducing harm to healthy tissues.
How similar studies have gone: Early preclinical work suggests targeting tumor-associated fibrin is feasible, but clinical translation remains exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Hua — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ma, Hua
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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.