Non-invasive MRI approach to better prostate cancer detection and prognosis
Official title: Pilot Project #1
Funded at Howard University · NIH-11419209 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new imaging method using a specialized MRI technique and machine learning could help doctors detect aggressive prostate cancer more accurately and at lower cost for men at higher risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Howard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $169,432 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA295337-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419209 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Men at risk for or diagnosed with prostate cancer, particularly those in communities with high disease burden.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to prostate cancer or those unable to undergo MRI may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to improve how we see and understand prostate cancer by using a non-invasive MRI method that works on standard 3T scanners. It combines molecular imaging with artificial intelligence to create sharper pictures of tumor energy use and metabolism. The team will develop a deep learning super-resolution model trained on simulated high-resolution data and validate the models against real clinical imaging and anatomy. If successful, this could lead to better risk stratification and more personalized treatment planning for patients with prostate cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may receive more accurate diagnoses and better-informed treatment choices with potentially fewer unnecessary procedures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show promise for advanced MRI techniques and AI-driven image enhancement in cancer imaging, but this specific combination is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Howard University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akala, Emmanuel O — Howard University
- Study coordinator: Akala, Emmanuel O
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.