Improving Radiation Treatment for Liver Cancer
eXtended Modular ANthropomorphic (XMAN) phantom for Imaging and Treatment Optimization in Radiotherapy.
This project aims to create a new digital tool to make radiation therapy for liver cancer more precise and safer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126724 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For many people with liver cancer, radiation therapy is a vital treatment option, but it can be challenging because the liver moves with breathing and daily activities. Current methods often use larger radiation areas to account for this movement, which can unfortunately harm healthy tissues and cause side effects. This project is developing a special digital model, called an XMAN phantom, that can accurately simulate how a patient's body moves during treatment. By using this advanced model, doctors can better plan and deliver radiation, aiming to reduce side effects and improve how well the treatment works.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with liver cancer who are candidates for or undergoing radiation therapy, particularly stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), could ultimately benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have liver cancer or are not receiving radiation therapy for their condition would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate and safer radiation treatments for liver cancer, potentially reducing side effects and improving tumor control.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has highlighted the critical link between the accuracy of radiation delivery and treatment outcomes, providing a foundation for this effort to improve motion management.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ren, Lei — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Ren, Lei
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 below.