PET imaging to detect heart damage from chemotherapy
Official title: PET imaging of Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11415784 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research tests a new PET imaging tracer to detect early heart muscle damage in people who have received cancer chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $745,576 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL180913-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415784 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have received or are receiving chemotherapy with a risk of cardiotoxicity may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cancer treatment history or without risk of cardiotoxicity may not benefit from this imaging approach.
What this research studies
Chemotherapy can harm the heart years after treatment. This project uses a novel PET tracer called 68Ga-Galmydar to visualize mitochondria in heart tissue and identify early signs of cardiotoxicity. The study will involve imaging participants to see how well the tracer reflects heart cell health as they undergo or recover from chemotherapy. If successful, this approach could lead to earlier protection for the heart and adjustments to cancer treatment when needed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get earlier detection of heart damage and receive timely interventions to protect heart health during cancer treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary lab work with the tracer shows promise, but clinical imaging in patients is an early step with uncertain results.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharma, Vijay — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Sharma, Vijay
Related research
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-
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PPAR-alpha and sex differences in chemotherapy-related heart injury
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Preventing heart damage from chemotherapy in older lymphoma patients
This study is looking to help older adults with lymphoma by finding ways to prevent heart damage from chemotherapy, figuring out who might be at risk, and understanding what patients and doctors prefer when it comes to treatment options.
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Preventing chemo-related heart damage in African American children
This project uses patients' own lab-grown heart cells to find genetic risks and ways to stop heart damage from the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin in African American children treated for cancer.
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.