Metabolic MRI and blood tumor cell tests to spot cisplatin resistance
Quantification of cisplatin sensitivity and resistance using metabolic imaging and circulating tumor cell (CTC) biomarkers
This project tests whether special metabolic MRI scans and blood tests for circulating tumor cells can show if tumors are responding to cisplatin chemotherapy for people with head and neck and other solid tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182539 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have special metabolic MRI scans (hyperpolarized MRI using labeled pyruvate) and regular blood draws to collect circulating tumor cells while receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The scans measure how your tumor converts pyruvate to lactate (the kPL metabolic rate) and lab analyses look for metabolic and gene-expression changes in tumor cells found in blood. The team combines these noninvasive imaging and liquid biopsy signals to look for early signs that the tumor is becoming resistant to cisplatin. If changes appear during treatment, clinicians could potentially consider switching therapies sooner.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma or other solid tumors who are starting or receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy and can undergo MRI scans and blood draws are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients not receiving cisplatin, with non-solid hematologic cancers, or who cannot have MRI scans (for example due to incompatible implants) would not be eligible or likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could let doctors detect cisplatin resistance earlier so they can change treatment sooner to avoid ineffective chemotherapy and its side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Prior pilot work has shown that genotoxic chemotherapy alters pyruvate-to-lactate metabolism measurable by hyperpolarized MRI and that these metabolic shifts can correlate with treatment effect, but combining HP-MRI with circulating tumor cell biomarkers in larger patient cohorts is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lai, Stephen Y — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lai, Stephen Y
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.