Personalized Rectal Cancer Radiotherapy Using Multimodal Signatures
Official title: Leveraging Multimodal Signatures to Personalize Rectal Cancer Radiotherapy Choice
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11298305 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study aims to tailor radiotherapy choices for rectal cancer patients by using multiple biological and imaging signals to guide treatment decisions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | June 2, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $518,451 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA300548-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11298305 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with locally advanced rectal cancer considering radiotherapy options and willing to participate in biomarker and imaging studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer biology does not align with the identified signatures may not see a change in their treatment approach.
What this research studies
This project will collect and integrate biological markers, imaging data, and clinical information from rectal cancer patients to identify signatures that predict who benefits most from different radiotherapy approaches. Researchers will develop algorithms to harmonize data from multiple sources and test how these signatures could influence choices between short-course radiation, longer courses, or combined strategies. The goal is to help patients receive a more effective, personalized treatment plan that may reduce unnecessary therapy and improve outcomes. The work is based on patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and seeks to translate complex data into clearer, patient-centered treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive radiotherapy decisions tailored to their biology, potentially improving responses and reducing unnecessary treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in personalized cancer therapy has shown promise, but applying multimodal signatures specifically to rectal cancer radiotherapy decisions is a newer, evolving area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qi, Xiangrong — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Qi, Xiangrong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Early response to radiotherapy and immunotherapy in rectal cancer
A new approach combines short-course radiation, chemotherapy, and an immune therapy antibody to try to shrink rectal cancers before surgery or avoid surgery altogether.
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Improving early treatment response in rectal cancer with radiation plus immune therapy
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Creating a digital model for rectal cancer to improve radiotherapy
This study is looking for patients with rectal cancer to help create a digital model that can personalize and improve radiotherapy treatments by examining how their immune system responds to radiation therapy.
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Investigating new treatment combinations for rectal cancer using radiation and immunotherapy
This study is looking for ways to help people with locally advanced rectal cancer by testing a new treatment that combines radiation, chemotherapy, and an innovative immune-boosting drug called αCD40, with the hope of improving outcomes and possibly avoiding surgery.
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AI-powered radiotherapy planning for cervical and head-and-neck cancer
A computer program helps plan radiation therapy for cervical and head-and-neck cancer patients to make treatments faster and more accurate.
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AI-powered radiotherapy planning for cervical and head-and-neck cancer
A United Kingdom study is testing AI software that helps plan radiotherapy for cervical and head-and-neck cancer patients to save time and reduce the workload for clinicians in low-resource settings.
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.