Improving proton therapy for liver cancer treatment
Official title: High-Precision Proton Therapy for Liver Cancer: Developing an End-to-end Strategy with Real-time Liver Tumor Localization and On-the-fly Plan Delivery Adaptation
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10993207 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to make proton therapy for liver cancer even better by using special imaging to track tumors in real-time, helping doctors deliver radiation more accurately while protecting healthy tissue, so patients can have a safer and more effective treatment experience.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $545,737 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA280135-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993207 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with liver cancer who are considering proton therapy as a treatment option.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver cancer who are not eligible for proton therapy or those with advanced disease stages may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing proton therapy for liver cancer by developing a method that allows real-time tracking of liver tumors during treatment. It aims to improve the precision of radiation delivery while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. The approach utilizes advanced imaging techniques and motion tracking to adapt treatment plans on-the-fly, addressing challenges posed by liver movement during respiration. By integrating these technologies, the research seeks to optimize patient outcomes in liver cancer management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer treatment options for patients with liver cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar motion tracking techniques in other types of cancer treatments, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, You — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhang, You
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Real-time guided proton radiation for more precise liver tumor treatment
Trying a proton radiation approach that tracks liver tumors in real time to treat people with liver cancer more precisely while protecting healthy liver tissue.
-
AI-powered liver cancer screening using ultrasound blood flow patterns
A new AI-based method analyzes liver blood flow signals to help detect liver cancer early in people with liver disease, especially in settings with limited resources.
-
Aging and liver cancer: new ways to prevent and fight hepatocellular carcinoma
This research explores how aging promotes liver cancer and tests new preventive approaches that could help people at higher risk due to age.
-
Intelligent and Personalized Online Adaptive Proton Therapy
A new, AI-powered online system aims to tailor proton therapy in real time for patients with cancers near vital organs, to reduce side effects and improve outcomes.
-
Testing new therapies for pediatric and young adult sarcoma, kidney, and liver cancers
Researchers are testing new drugs and smart combinations in models of pediatric cancers to help guide future treatments for kids and young adults.
-
Liver cancer prevention and care in Uganda using HIV clinic networks
A program in Uganda uses existing HIV care systems to roll out liver cancer prevention, screening, and treatment strategies tailored to local needs.
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.