MRI to detect active liver scarring
Molecular Magnetic Resonance of Hepatic Fibrogenesis
Testing special MRI probes to spot and measure ongoing liver scarring in people at risk for liver cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322530 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get a specialized MRI scan using molecular probes that bind to scar tissue so doctors can see where scarring is forming in the whole liver. The team has shown these probes can stage fibrosis and measure fibrogenesis in animal models and aims to refine the approach for use in people. By measuring both the amount of scar and how actively it is being produced, clinicians could better identify who is at higher risk of developing liver cancer. The work combines targeted contrast agents with advanced MRI techniques to produce a noninvasive picture of liver disease activity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic liver disease or known liver fibrosis—such as from hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, or fatty liver—who are being monitored for liver cancer risk.
Not a fit: People without chronic liver scarring or those who cannot undergo MRI are unlikely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors find patients with active liver scarring earlier and target them for treatments to lower liver cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: Related collagen-targeted imaging methods have shown promising results in animals, but applying molecular MRI of fibrogenesis in routine human care remains largely new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caravan, Peter D — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Caravan, Peter D
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.