Improving early lung cancer detection using imaging and biopsy markers
Official title: Integrating imaging and biopsy-derived molecular markers for the pre-surgical detection of indolent and aggressive early stage lung adenocarcinoma
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11123905 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to find better ways to tell if early-stage lung cancer is slow-growing or aggressive before surgery, using imaging and biopsy information.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $641,388 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA275015-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123905 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma who are considering surgery would be the primary beneficiaries of this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced lung cancer or other cancer types would not directly benefit from this specific diagnostic tool.
What this research studies
Currently, early lung cancer is treated the same way for everyone, which can sometimes lead to too much or too little treatment. Our team is working on new tools, including an imaging marker called CANARY and gene markers from biopsy samples, to help doctors understand how aggressive a lung tumor is. These tools could help personalize treatment plans before surgery, reducing unnecessary procedures or ensuring aggressive cancers get the right care. We are combining these markers into one model to give a clearer picture of the tumor's behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors choose the best treatment for early-stage lung cancer patients, potentially avoiding unnecessary surgeries or ensuring more aggressive cancers are treated effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Our team has already developed and validated preliminary versions of these imaging and gene expression markers, showing promising results in predicting tumor aggressiveness.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lenburg, Marc Elliott — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Lenburg, Marc Elliott
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Combining imaging and biopsy genes to spot aggressive vs. slow-growing early lung cancer before surgery
Aimed at people with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma, this project tests a combined imaging and biopsy gene‑marker approach to better predict tumor aggressiveness before surgery.
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.