Predicting PARP inhibitor response in advanced prostate cancer using PARP1 PET imaging and ultra-sensitive ctDNA
Official title: Integration of FTT-PET and ctDNA to predict response to PARP inhibitor therapy in mPC
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11448789 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-center study aims to help determine which men with advanced prostate cancer will benefit from PARP inhibitor therapy using advanced PET imaging and ultra-sensitive blood tests.
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 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $667,491 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA306993-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448789 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adult men with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer being considered for PARP inhibitor therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not treated with PARP inhibitors or who do not have BRCA1/BRCA2 alterations may not benefit from this specific biomarker approach.
What this research studies
This project combines a new PET imaging biomarker that measures PARP1 levels with a highly sensitive blood test to detect tumor DNA fragments in patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. By enrolling patients at multiple major cancer centers, the study will correlate imaging and ctDNA results with how well patients respond to PARP inhibitor therapy. The goal is to better select patients for treatment and reduce unnecessary side effects from ineffective therapy. The research team will analyze how these biomarkers change over time and may inform future personalized treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve patient selection for PARP inhibitors and tailor treatment plans to individuals, potentially improving outcomes and reducing toxicity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that imaging and fluid-based biomarkers can help predict treatment response, though this exact combination is being tested in a multi-center setting.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dehdashti, Farrokh — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Dehdashti, Farrokh
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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.