Measuring how glioblastoma tumors use glucose with PET and advanced MRI
Quantitative molecular MR-PET imaging of glycolysis in glioblastoma
Combining PET with a special MRI to image how glioblastoma tumors consume sugar, for people with glioblastoma.
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 ID | NIH-11294333 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses standard 18F‑FDG PET (which tracks glucose uptake) together with a fast MRI technique (CEST‑SAGE‑EPI) that senses tumor acidity, oxygen use, blood flow, and diffusion. Scans are combined to try to distinguish overall glucose use from true glycolytic activity driven by the tumor. Imaging would be done around targeted treatments to see whether metabolic changes show which tumors become vulnerable to therapy. The team hopes these images could give doctors a clearer, earlier sign of treatment effect than PET or MRI alone.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with a confirmed diagnosis of glioblastoma who can safely undergo PET and MRI scans and can travel to the imaging site.
Not a fit: People without glioblastoma, patients who cannot safely have MRI or PET (for example due to certain implants or pregnancy), or tumors that do not show measurable glycolytic changes are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let doctors detect metabolic weaknesses in glioblastomas earlier and help tailor treatments more precisely.
How similar studies have performed: FDG PET is widely used in other cancers and metabolic imaging has shown promise for tracking treatment response, but combining FDG PET with pH‑ and oxygen‑sensitive CEST‑SAGE‑EPI MRI for specific glycolysis imaging is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ellingson, Benjamin M. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Ellingson, Benjamin M.
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.