Understanding differences in tumor cell glucose uptake to better interpret PET scans
Studying heterogeneity in [18F] FDG accumulation at the individual cell level using Betabox technology to better understand PET scans of patient tumors
This project uses a new BetaBox tool to look at how individual cancer cells take up the PET imaging tracer FDG so doctors can read PET scans more accurately for people with tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235844 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use the BetaBox platform to measure FDG accumulation in single cancer cells to see whether some cell subgroups take up more tracer than others. They will compare these single-cell patterns to the standard whole-tumor FDG PET signals to find which cell types drive the imaging result. The work will use cancer cell models and tumor-derived samples to map cellular heterogeneity in lung, colorectal, and esophageal tumors. The goal is to link cellular-level tracer behavior to the PET images doctors use for diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers commonly imaged by FDG PET (for example lung, colorectal, or esophageal cancer) who are having PET scans or can provide tumor tissue for research would be the best fit.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not take up FDG, who are not having PET scans, or who cannot or do not want to provide tumor tissue are unlikely to directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help clinicians interpret FDG PET scans more precisely and identify tumor cell subpopulations that influence imaging-based treatment decisions.
How similar studies have performed: A few early reports suggest individual cancer cells can differ in FDG uptake, but single-cell PET–tracer measurement is still novel and the BetaBox approach is largely new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clark, Peter Michael — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Clark, Peter Michael
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 below.