Precision imaging of heart damage from cancer treatment using metabolic MRI biomarkers
Official title: Precision Imaging of Cardiotoxicity: Metabolic MR Biomarkers for Pathophysiology, Early Detection, and Cardioprotection Effect Monitoring
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11435135 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will use advanced MRI to find early metabolic signs of heart injury in cancer patients treated with common drugs, so doctors can protect the heart earlier.
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 12, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $635,782 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA316800-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435135 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing cancer therapy with anthracyclines or immune checkpoint inhibitors who are at risk for cardiotoxicity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving potentially cardiotoxic cancer therapies or with no anticipated heart-related risk may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project pairs preclinical models with early human studies to identify noninvasive MRI biomarkers that reflect how cancer therapies disrupt heart metabolism. By focusing on metabolic changes in energy pathways, the study aims to detect problems before heart function declines. The work will track biomarkers related to mitochondrial energy production and sugar/alanine metabolism to predict who is at risk and to monitor the effect of protective strategies. If successful, these biomarkers could guide safer treatment choices and help preserve long-term heart health for cancer survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive earlier heart-protective interventions and safer cancer treatment plans guided by MRI biomarkers.
How similar studies have gone: Similar imaging approaches have shown promise in detecting metabolic brain and heart changes, but this project aims to establish specific noninvasive biomarkers for therapy-induced card:itoxicity.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hong, Donghyun — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Hong, Donghyun
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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.