SSTR2 imaging to guide pituitary tumor radiotherapy and planning
Official title: Somatostatin Receptor 2 Expression in Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors as a Basis for PET/MRI guided Subtype Stratification and Radiotherapy Planning
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11305252 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests a PET/MRI imaging approach to map somatostatin receptor 2 in pituitary neuroendocrine tumors to help tailor radiation therapy for better tumor control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $196,086 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA289111-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11305252 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with hormone-producing pituitary neuroendocrine tumors who have residual disease after surgery or are planned for radiation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without residual pituitary tumor tissue or those not undergoing radiation planning may not benefit.
What this research studies
Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors can be hard to fully see on MRI after surgery, making treatment planning tricky. This study uses a special PET/MRI protocol with a DOTATATE tracer to measure SSTR2 density and distinguish residual tumor from treatment-related changes. The goal is to use this imaging to guide more precise radiation therapy and potentially improve long-term tumor control and hormone management. The work leverages existing clinical imaging to refine treatment decisions for patients with pituitary tumors who need radiotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more accurate radiation targeting and better disease control with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Prior imaging using DOTATATE PET/MRI has helped differentiate tumor from treatment changes in other skull base tumors, supporting this approach's potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ivanidze, Jana — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Ivanidze, Jana
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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.