Improving breast imaging to better predict treatment response in breast cancer patients
Official title: Advancing Photoacoustic Tomography in breast imaging to predict response in breast cancers treated with neoadjuvant therapy
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-10880685 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new imaging system that helps doctors see how well treatment is working for breast cancer patients without needing invasive procedures or exposing them to radiation, making it easier to create personalized treatment plans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $626,022 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA282505-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880685 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are breast cancer patients who are receiving neoadjuvant therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing neoadjuvant therapy or those with non-breast cancer conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a new imaging system called photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) that can detect both anatomical and functional changes in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. By using this advanced technology, the researchers hope to provide more accurate assessments of how well the treatment is working, which can lead to personalized treatment plans. The study addresses the limitations of current imaging methods that often require invasive procedures or expose patients to radiation. Ultimately, this innovative approach seeks to enhance the monitoring of breast cancer treatment responses in a non-invasive and cost-effective manner.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatment strategies for breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging technologies for cancer treatment monitoring, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lai, Lily Lau — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Lai, Lily Lau
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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.