NIH-funded research R01 grant

Improving MRI techniques for pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Official title: Fully Quantitative Low-Dose, Motion-Resolved Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11142157 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new type of MRI that uses less radiation and can better see how pancreatic cancer is changing, making it safer and more accurate for patients like you.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project startJune 15, 2022
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$450,924
NIH project number7R01EB032801-03
Project IDNIH-11142157 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who require imaging for treatment planning or monitoring.

Less likely to help

Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not require MRI imaging for their condition may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing MRI technology to better diagnose and monitor pancreatic adenocarcinoma by using a low-dose, motion-resolved dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI approach. It aims to accurately measure tissue characteristics related to blood flow and inflammation, which are crucial for understanding the disease's progression. The study will involve advanced imaging techniques that account for patient movement, such as heartbeats and breathing, to ensure clearer and more reliable results. By utilizing a gadolinium-based contrast agent, the research seeks to improve the safety and effectiveness of MRI scans for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of pancreatic cancer, improving treatment outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced MRI techniques for cancer diagnosis, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Christodoulou, Anthony G — University of California Los Angeles
  • Study coordinator: Christodoulou, Anthony G

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • PASSCODE: Coordinating and Sharing PDAC stromal research data

    A networked effort at NYU School of Medicine aims to study how the pancreatic cancer stroma shapes tumor growth and patient outcomes, by coordinating researchers, sharing data, and educating the field.

    NIH research New York University School of Medicine · New York, United States · NIH-11413859

  • Oncostatin M Receptor in Pancreatic Cancer

    Aims to understand how a molecule called Oncostatin M and its receptor affect pancreatic cancer to find new ways to help patients.

    NIH research Portland VA Medical Center · Portland, United States · NIH-11402385

  • Total Neoadjuvant Therapy for Borderline or Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

    A multi-part treatment approach tests giving all chemotherapy and targeted radiotherapy before surgery to help patients with tough-to-remove pancreatic cancer become eligible for curative surgery.

    NIH research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · New York, United States · NIH-11397470

  • Low-dose, motion-aware MRI to study pancreatic cancer

    A new MRI method using low-dose contrast and motion-resolved imaging is being explored to better characterize pancreatic cancer in patients.

    NIH research University of California Los Angeles · Los Angeles, United States · NIH-11394353

  • SOAT1 as a target in pancreatic cancer

    Researchers are studying a specific enzyme, SOAT1, to see if blocking it can slow down or stop pancreatic cancer progression in models that mimic human disease.

    NIH research Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · Cold Spring Harbor, United States · NIH-11360158

  • Turning inflammatory scar cells in the pancreas into helpers to improve treatment response

    This project will try to change inflammatory, scar-forming cells around pancreatic tumors so treatments and the immune system can work better for people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

    NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11338560

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.