Patient-specific MR-guided focused ultrasound for breast cancer treatment
Official title: A Patient-Specific Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound System for Breast Cancer Treatment
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11389852 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new non-invasive MRI-guided ultrasound system is being developed to treat early-stage breast cancer in a personalized way, aiming for effective tumor destruction with less pain and better comfort.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $625,791 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA305900-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389852 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with early-stage breast cancer suitable for non-invasive ablation based on tumor location and MRI compatibility.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced-stage disease or tumors not amenable to MR-guided ablation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant funds the creation and testing of a next-generation MRgFUS system tailored to each patient’s breast anatomy. The goal is to provide a non-surgical option that can achieve therapeutic heat delivery while prioritizing comfort and quality of life. Researchers will build and validate the device to work inside a diagnostic-quality MRI, aiming to make treatment more precise and less invasive for patients with early-stage breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could offer a non-invasive, patient-friendly alternative to traditional surgery with the potential for fewer side effects and faster recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous MR-guided focused ultrasound approaches show promise, but this project emphasizes a patient-specific system to enhance safety and effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Payne, Allison — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Payne, Allison
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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.