Measuring metabolic activity in prostate cancer bone metastases using advanced MRI techniques
Official title: Measuring Metabolic Activity in Prostate Cancer Bone Metastases Using Hyperpolarized 13C Pyruvate MRI for Improved Targeted Therapy Monitoring
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10983759 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of MRI that uses a special substance to see how well prostate cancer treatments are working in bone metastases, helping doctors spot early signs of success or resistance to therapy so they can better care for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2020 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $669,724 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA256740-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10983759 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with advanced prostate cancer who have developed bone metastases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage prostate cancer or those without bone metastases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel imaging technique using hyperpolarized 13C-pyruvate MRI to measure metabolic activity in bone metastases from prostate cancer. The goal is to provide a more accurate and timely assessment of how well patients are responding to targeted therapies. By quantifying the conversion rates of pyruvate to lactate, the study aims to identify early signs of treatment effectiveness or resistance. This approach could lead to improved monitoring of treatment responses, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective monitoring of treatment responses in prostate cancer patients, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise with similar imaging techniques, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vigneron, Daniel B — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Vigneron, Daniel B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Genomic clues to guide therapy in advanced prostate cancer
This grant looks at how a patient’s tumor and germline DNA could predict which targeted or immune therapies will work best for advanced prostate cancer.
-
Understanding SYNCRIP’s role in prostate cancer resistance to AR-targeted therapy
A study at Yale is looking at how loss of SYNCRIP makes prostate cancer less responsive to common AR-targeted treatments and what this could mean for new ways to treat resistant cancer.
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Understanding how SYNCRIP affects prostate cancer treatment resistance
This study is looking at a protein called SYNCRIP to understand why some prostate cancers stop responding to hormone treatments, with the hope of finding new ways to help patients with advanced prostate cancer get better results from their therapies.
-
Genetic markers that predict treatment response in advanced prostate cancer
This project looks at whether tumor and inherited DNA changes can show which men with advanced prostate cancer are most likely to benefit from targeted drugs and immunotherapy.
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How loss of SYNCRIP and APOBEC1 can drive resistance to prostate hormone therapy
Researchers are looking at how losing a protein called SYNCRIP and increased activity of the APOBEC1 enzyme may make advanced prostate cancer stop responding to common hormone-targeted treatments.
-
Cardiovascular risk planning and reduction for men with prostate cancer
A program to better predict and reduce heart disease risk in men treated for prostate cancer, especially older patients.
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.