Personalized brain metastases risk map to guide radiotherapy
Official title: Development of a Personalized Voxel-wise Prediction of Brain Metastases using Multi-Parametric MR Imaging to Reduce Treatment Toxicity
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11397221 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach uses personal MRI data to predict where brain metastases might develop so radiation can target high-risk areas and spare healthy brain tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 21, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $713,733 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA292043-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397221 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with NSCLC adenocarcinoma at risk for or with brain metastases, particularly those considered for SRS or WBRT.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose brain metastases are already well-contained by current standard-of-care approaches or who cannot undergo MRI-based planning.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a voxel-by-voxel risk model for brain metastases by combining anatomical, vascular, and patient history information from multi-parametric MRI. It will integrate population data with individual brain features to tailor radiotherapy planning, potentially reducing cognitive side effects from treatment. The study envisions validating the model to guide decisions between focused SRS and broader WBRT in NSCLC adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more precise radiotherapy that protects healthy brain tissue while effectively controlling metastases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests voxel-wise, personalized planning may improve targeting, but this specific integrative approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morin, Olivier — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Morin, Olivier
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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.