Improving brain imaging for early detection of cancer spread
Official title: Two-way Magnetic Resonance Tuning Nanoprobe Enhanced Subtraction Imaging for Precision Diagnosis of Brain Metastasis
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-10987003 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to spot tiny brain tumors from other cancers using special imaging techniques, which could help doctors find and treat these tumors earlier for patients who need it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $599,174 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB035416-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987003 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with systemic cancers who are at risk of developing brain metastases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with primary brain tumors or those without a history of systemic cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the ability to detect small brain metastases from systemic cancers using advanced imaging techniques. By developing a novel molecular nanoprobe that improves the contrast between tumors and normal brain tissue, the study aims to visualize early-stage brain metastases non-invasively. The approach combines a new two-way magnetic resonance tuning method with advanced computational techniques to achieve high sensitivity and spatial resolution in imaging. This could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment options for patients with brain metastases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve early detection of brain metastases, leading to better treatment outcomes and reduced mortality rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for cancer detection, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Yuanpei — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Li, Yuanpei
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Nanoparticles that boost MRI to find tiny brain metastases
This uses tiny magnetic nanoparticles and new MRI image processing to help doctors find very small brain metastases earlier in people with cancer.
-
Prolactin signaling and brain metastasis in HER2-positive breast cancer
Researchers are studying how prolactin signals help HER2-positive breast cancer cells grow in the brain, with the goal of finding new ideas to prevent brain metastases.
-
ATM kinase as a target to help NSCLC with brain metastases respond to treatment
A study from Yale University tests whether blocking ATM kinase can delay or overcome treatment resistance in people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to the brain and other organs.
-
How an immune signal in brain support cells helps breast cancer spread to the brain
This project looks at whether a specific immune signal in brain support cells (astrocytes) helps breast cancer cells grow in the brain, aiming to help people with breast cancer that has spread to the brain.
-
Brain cancer cells and brain cells talk to each other to spread to the brain
A research project uses computer and mouse studies to understand how cancer cells that spread from breast or lung tumors grow in the brain and interact with brain support cells.
-
How brain support cells' recycling affects breast cancer spread to the brain
This project looks at whether blocking a cell-recycling process in brain support cells can prevent or slow breast cancer that spreads to the brain in people with breast cancer.
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.