Improving imaging techniques for pancreatic cancer treatment planning
Official title: Molecular Imaging of Fibrosis for Improved Treatment Planning of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10862876 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new imaging technique that uses a special PET scan to help doctors see how well treatments are working for patients with pancreatic cancer, making it easier to track the disease without needing invasive procedures like biopsies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $267,629 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA259626-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10862876 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are undergoing neoadjuvant treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not undergoing treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new imaging method to better evaluate the response of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to treatment. By using a specialized PET imaging probe that targets collagen, the study aims to provide a non-invasive way to measure tumor size and treatment effectiveness. This approach could reduce the need for invasive procedures like biopsies and improve the accuracy of treatment planning for patients with PDAC. The goal is to enhance patient outcomes by providing clinicians with better tools for monitoring the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment planning and improved survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for cancer treatment evaluation, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abdar Esfahani, Shadi — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Abdar Esfahani, Shadi
Related research
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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.