NIH-funded research R01 grant

Investigating how imaging and blood tests can predict responses to lung cancer treatments

Official title: Biomarkers of Response to Immuno-chemotherapy & oliGometastatic Hypofractionated radioTherapy (BRIGHT) for Lung Cancer: Synergy of PET/CT Imaging and Peripheral Blood Assays

Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10992106 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how well patients with advanced lung cancer respond to a mix of chemotherapy and immunotherapy by using special imaging and blood tests, with the goal of personalizing treatments to help improve survival and reduce side effects.

More Lung Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project startDecember 20, 2021
Project endNovember 30, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$608,411
NIH project number5R01CA258997-04
Project IDNIH-10992106 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients with newly diagnosed metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who are starting standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments.

Less likely to help

Patients with early-stage lung cancer or those who have not been diagnosed with metastatic disease may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving treatment outcomes for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by using advanced imaging techniques and blood tests to identify how well patients respond to combined therapies of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The study aims to assess treatment responses through positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and the analysis of circulating biomarkers in the blood. By understanding these responses, the research seeks to tailor treatments more effectively, potentially leading to better survival rates and reduced side effects for patients. The approach emphasizes precision medicine, aiming to select the right treatment for the right patient at the right time.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective treatment strategies for lung cancer patients, improving survival rates and minimizing unnecessary side effects.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using imaging and biomarkers to guide treatment decisions in cancer therapy, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Washington
    Seattle, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Bowen, Stephen R. — University of Washington
  • Study coordinator: Bowen, Stephen R.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • PET/CT scans and blood tests to guide immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and focused radiation for metastatic lung cancer

    This project combines PET/CT imaging and blood immune tests to help identify which people with metastatic non‑small cell lung cancer will benefit from immunotherapy plus chemotherapy and targeted radiation.

    NIH research University of Washington · Seattle, United States · NIH-11237966

  • Safer lung cancer radiotherapy with smart AI helpers

    A new AI-based method aims to precisely map tumors and nearby organs during lung cancer radiotherapy to reduce side effects and improve outcomes.

    NIH research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · New York, United States · NIH-11360594

  • Stopping chemotherapy from weakening immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer

    This project looks at whether common chemotherapy makes lung tumors release substances that turn off immune cells and whether blocking that process could help immunotherapy work better for people with non-small cell lung cancer.

    NIH research University of Louisville · Louisville, United States · NIH-11307067

  • Improving PET/CT imaging for lung cancer immunotherapy

    This project builds better PET/CT imaging methods and a shared online resource to help immunotherapy for people with non-small cell lung cancer.

    NIH research University of Washington · Seattle, United States · NIH-11182720

  • Improving lung cancer radiation treatment with AI

    This work aims to make radiation treatment for lung cancer safer and more effective by using new artificial intelligence tools.

    NIH research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · New York, United States · NIH-11089500

  • Using AI to improve radiation therapy for lung cancer

    This study is looking at how to use artificial intelligence to make better images for radiation therapy in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, so that doctors can more accurately target the treatment as the tumor changes, which could lead to better results for you.

    NIH research Emory University · Atlanta, United States · NIH-11079640

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.