MRI markers to monitor bone marrow in myelofibrosis
Official title: Development of quantitative bone marrow magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers to assess efficacy of novel molecularly targeted agents for myelofibrosis
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11231743 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Advanced MRI scans will be used to see bone marrow changes in people with myelofibrosis so doctors can tell sooner whether new targeted drugs are working.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $647,398 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA297995-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11231743 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with myelofibrosis, especially those starting or receiving molecularly targeted treatments and willing to have repeated MRI scans, would be the best candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with other blood cancers, those who cannot undergo MRI (for example because of certain implants or severe claustrophobia), or who cannot travel to the study site may not benefit from this project.
What this research studies
If you join, you would have specialized MRI scans of your bone marrow using advanced imaging sequences rather than only relying on spleen size or a single-site bone marrow biopsy. Researchers will apply quantitative image analysis across multiple marrow sites to capture disease patterns and treatment-related changes. The goal is to create a noninvasive imaging signature that tracks marrow fibrosis and cellular changes over time. This approach aims to be faster and less painful than current biopsy- and spleen-based measures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let patients know sooner and without painful biopsies whether a targeted therapy is helping their myelofibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior MRI methods have shown promise in studying bone marrow, but using quantitative MRI as a treatment-response marker specifically for myelofibrosis is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ross, Brian D. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Ross, Brian D.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using MRI to improve monitoring of myelofibrosis treatment
This study is exploring new MRI methods to help doctors see how well treatments are working for people with myelofibrosis, a type of blood cancer, without needing painful procedures like biopsies.
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Systemic imaging probes for detecting tissue oxygen levels in cancer and other diseases
A researcher aims to develop a new europium-based MRI contrast agent that can be given systemically to visualize oxygen levels (hypoxia) in cancer and other diseases.
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Improving deep brain stimulation with MRI and AI
We use brain scans and artificial intelligence to speed up and personalize deep brain stimulation settings for people getting DBS.
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Strategies to deplete myelofibrosis stem cells using HDM2/p53 pathway
A patient-focused program tests a therapy that may selectively reduce disease-causing blood stem cells in people with myelofibrosis.
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Megakaryocyte changes in myelofibrosis and its progression to leukemia
A scientist-guided project will study how abnormal megakaryocytes and signals like TGF-β and IL-13 may drive progression from myelofibrosis toward acute leukemia, with potential implications for future treatments.
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Molecular clues and new therapies for myelofibrosis and related blood cancers
This grant supports research to understand what drives myelofibrosis and related disorders and to develop new treatment ideas for 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.