Improved MRI agents to detect prostate cancer
Prostate cancer-diagnosing imaging agents
Testing new polymer-based MRI agents to help doctors find prostate cancer more accurately in men.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259548 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Current MRI methods struggle to see molecular targets because single targeting molecules give weak signals or require toxic labels. This project builds polymer-based agents that carry many small MRI signal groups and are directed at PSMA, a marker on prostate cancer cells, using the CEST MRI technique. The team will change polymer properties like charge and hydrophobicity to boost how specifically and sensitively the agents bind and show up on scans. Work will include laboratory and preclinical testing with the goal of improving the agents for future clinical use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men with suspected or known prostate cancer, especially those whose tumors express PSMA or who are being considered for advanced imaging, would be ideal candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not express PSMA or who cannot have MRI (for example, people with certain implanted devices) are unlikely to benefit from these agents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable safer, noninvasive MRI scans that detect prostate cancer more accurately.
How similar studies have performed: The investigators have demonstrated early proof-of-concept that polymeric CEST agents can detect PSMA in preclinical tests, but clinical benefit has not yet been established.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Aline — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Aline
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.