Improving MRI techniques to better diagnose prostate cancer
Official title: Validation, Calibration, and Translation of Restriction Spectrum Imaging Signal Maps to enhance MRI diagnostic capabilities in Prostate Cancer
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11177541 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to use MRI scans to better spot prostate cancer by creating detailed images that can help doctors find suspicious areas, which could mean fewer unnecessary biopsies and more accurate diagnoses for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 17, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $408,291 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA279667-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177541 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men who are at risk for prostate cancer or have elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced prostate cancer or those who have already undergone treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of MRI for prostate cancer by developing a new imaging biomarker using restriction spectrum imaging (RSI). The approach involves a non-invasive method that utilizes targeted magnetic RSI-MRI sequences to create detailed signal maps of the prostate. These maps help identify and quantify suspicious areas that may indicate cancer, potentially reducing the need for unnecessary biopsies and improving the accuracy of diagnoses. The study is a collaboration between academic and industry partners to ensure the method is clinically useful and widely implementable.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses of prostate cancer, reducing unnecessary procedures and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar imaging techniques have shown promise in improving cancer diagnostics, suggesting that this approach could also be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liss, Michael Andre — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Liss, Michael Andre
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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.