New imaging method to guide radioactive cancer therapies using time-of-flight multi-photon signals
Official title: Exploiting time-of-flight in photon cascade emissions for direct imaging of therapeutic radionuclides
Funded at University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab · NIH-11374008 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new imaging approach could let doctors see and tailor radiopharmaceutical cancer treatments more accurately, even when using alpha-emitting drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $312,165 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB037871-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374008 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers treated with radiopharmaceutical therapies, particularly those where precise imaging guides dose delivery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing radiopharmaceutical therapy or those without access to advanced imaging facilities may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a novel imaging modality called TOF-MPET to visualize alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical therapies at very low activity levels. By leveraging time-of-flight concepts in multi-photon emissions, it seeks to provide clearer images than current SPECT methods, enabling better targeting of tumor tissue while sparing healthy tissue. The work involves developing algorithms and imaging techniques that translate complex photon signals into usable 3-D images for clinicians treating cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more precise and effective radiopharmaceutical therapies with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Prior advances in TOF-PET have improved imaging, but applying TOF concepts to non-positron-emitting alpha therapies represents a novel approach with promising early signals.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caravaca, Javier — University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
- Study coordinator: Caravaca, Javier
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.