Metabolic Imaging to Track Treatment Response in Aggressive Thyroid Cancer
Official title: Metabolic Imaging of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer to Assess Treatment Response
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11420949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores a new way to watch how aggressive thyroid cancers respond to treatment using a special MRI technique that tracks tumor metabolism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $490,611 |
| NIH project number | 1P01CA314921-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with aggressive thyroid cancer (especially anaplastic thyroid cancer) who may undergo systemic therapy and participate in imaging-based monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for advanced imaging procedures or those not undergoing treatment changes may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
Patients with aggressive anaplastic thyroid cancer often have poor outcomes and limited options. The project uses hyperpolarized pyruvate MRI to visualize changes in tumor metabolism during therapy, aiming to detect response earlier than standard methods. Researchers will study cells, animal models, and patient data to translate this imaging approach into clinical practice. By combining metabolic imaging with potential new treatments, the work seeks to guide therapy decisions and improve outcomes for patients with ATC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from earlier and more accurate monitoring of treatment response, allowing for timely therapy adjustments.
How similar studies have gone: Early metabolic imaging approaches have shown promise in cancer monitoring, but application to ATC is ongoing and this project aims to expand that evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bankson, James a — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Bankson, James a
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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.