Low-dose, motion-aware MRI to study pancreatic cancer
Official title: Fully Quantitative Low-Dose, Motion-Resolved Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11394353 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new MRI method using low-dose contrast and motion-resolved imaging is being explored to better characterize pancreatic cancer in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $429,427 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB032801-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394353 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with suspected or confirmed pancreatic cancer or those undergoing PDAC imaging as part of standard care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without pancreatic cancer or who cannot undergo MRI with contrast may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a quantitative DCE-MRI approach that accounts for heart and breathing motion to produce reliable measurements of tumor perfusion and vascularity in pancreatic cancer. It focuses on making imaging safer with lower gadolinium doses while maintaining accuracy, especially in patients with irregular heart rhythms or breathing. The goal is to improve how we detect, stage, and monitor treatment response in PDAC using multi-center imaging data. Participants would undergo specialized MRI sessions with motion-robust protocols to capture dynamic contrast changes. The work could lead to more precise imaging biomarkers that guide personalized care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with pancreatic cancer could receive more accurate imaging results to guide treatment decisions and monitor response.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest quantitative DCE-MRI can improve risk assessment and monitoring in cancers, but motion-robust, low-dose methods are being actively explored in PDAC.
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
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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.