Metabolic imaging to detect aggressive meningioma changes
Project 3: Preclinical metabolic imaging of molecular alterations of meningiomas
Advanced MRI-based metabolic scans are being used to find chemical patterns that could tell adult meningioma patients whether their tumor is likely to return.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192778 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have specialized MRI scans that measure tumor chemistry using standard 1H-MRS and an experimental hyperpolarized 13C-MRS technique, and researchers will compare those scans to data from tumor biopsies. They are looking for metabolic signatures linked to loss of the NF2 gene and high FOXM1 activity, which are tied to higher risk of recurrence. The team will test these signatures in lab models and patient tissue to confirm the patterns. If successful, the scans could offer a non-invasive way to sort meningioma patients by recurrence risk without needing additional surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with a diagnosed meningioma who are undergoing biopsy, surgery, or follow-up imaging would be the most appropriate candidates.
Not a fit: People without meningioma or with other types of brain tumors are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide a non-invasive scan to help predict which meningioma patients face higher risk of recurrence and guide treatment and follow-up decisions.
How similar studies have performed: Standard 1H-MRS is already used clinically and early trials of hyperpolarized 13C-MRS in brain tumors have shown feasibility, but applying metabolic imaging specifically to detect NF2/FOXM1-driven meningioma subtypes is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Viswanath, Pavithra — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Viswanath, Pavithra
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.