PET/CT imaging to detect chemotherapy-related vascular harm in young cancer patients
Official title: PET/CT Imaging of Venous Thromboembolism in Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Oncology
Funded at Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-11396394 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A non-invasive PET/CT scan method using standard care imaging is being tested to identify which pediatric and young adult cancer patients are at higher risk of blood clots from chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $652,598 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171715-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396394 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, especially those with lymphoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose treatment plan does not involve chemotherapy or who do not develop vascular toxicity may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will develop and test PET/CT imaging biomarkers to measure chemotherapy-induced vascular toxicity in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer patients. Researchers will first validate 18F-FDG PET/CT as a non-invasive marker of venous toxicity in the lab, then assess whether imaging findings can predict who may develop venous thromboembolism during cancer treatment. The study aims to use images already obtained during routine care to improve risk prediction and guide prevention strategies for clots in young patients. If successful, this could lead to more personalized care that balances cancer treatment with clot prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, clinicians could better identify high-risk patients and tailor preventive strategies to reduce clot risk without unnecessary treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work supports using PET imaging to study treatment-related vascular changes, but this project applies it specifically to predict VTE risk in young cancer patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stacy, Mitchel R — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Stacy, Mitchel R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using PET/CT scans to spot vein inflammation and clot risk in children and young adults with cancer
This project uses PET/CT scans with a glucose tracer to look for vein inflammation that may signal higher risk of dangerous blood clots in children, adolescents, and young adults receiving chemotherapy.
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Statins to Prevent Cancer-Associated Blood Clots in Cancer Patients
A large study will test whether taking rosuvastatin every day for a year can lower the chance of dangerous blood clots in people with cancer, without raising the risk of bleeding.
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Optimal use of blood thinners for venous clots in people with cirrhosis
This grant hopes to figure out the safest and most effective way to use oral anticoagulants for adults with cirrhosis who develop venous clots.
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Statins to Prevent Cancer-Associated Blood Clots in Cancer Patients
A large clinical trial will test whether taking rosuvastatin daily for a year helps prevent dangerous blood clots in people with newly diagnosed or relapsed cancer who aren’t already getting anticoagulants.
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BCOR's role in blood clot risk and liver genetics
A Johns Hopkins-led study is exploring how a human gene, BCOR, may control liver-produced clotting factors to influence venous blood clots.
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Personalized risk-prediction for hospital-acquired blood clots in adults
A real-time risk model helps doctors identify adults in the hospital who are at higher risk of developing blood clots so they can prevent them safely.
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.