Using advanced imaging to better understand liver cancer
Official title: Quantitative PET Imaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-10923885 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to spot and treat liver cancer using advanced imaging techniques, which could help doctors understand your cancer better and find the best treatment just for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $542,018 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA239694-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923885 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma or those at high risk for developing liver cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those without liver disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the detection and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, by utilizing advanced imaging techniques known as positron emission tomography (PET). Unlike traditional imaging methods that only show the structure of tumors, this study aims to provide insights into the cellular and molecular characteristics of HCC, which could lead to more personalized treatment options. The researchers will evaluate new imaging tracers that may offer better sensitivity for detecting HCC compared to the commonly used 18F-FDG PET. By enhancing the ability to identify and assess liver tumors, this research could significantly impact clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and more effective treatment strategies for patients with liver cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for cancer detection, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements in liver cancer management.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manning, Henry Charles — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Manning, Henry Charles
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of metabolic stress in NASH-related liver cancer
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-
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-
How overeating and metabolic stress drive NASH-related liver cancer
This research looks at how excess nutrition and cell stress change liver metabolism and push NASH (fatty liver disease) toward liver cancer, with the goal of finding points to stop that process.
-
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This study is looking at how giving immunotherapy before surgery can help boost the immune system's ability to fight liver cancer, and it's for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who are preparing for surgery.
-
Investigating how metabolic stress contributes to liver cancer development
This study is looking at how extra weight and changes in metabolism might affect the growth of liver cancer in people with fatty liver disease, and it aims to find ways to slow down or prevent this cancer from getting worse.
-
Testing a pig model for liver cancer treatments
This study is testing a special type of pig that has been genetically modified to develop liver cancer like humans do, to help find better treatments for people with liver cancer by seeing how different genetic changes respond to targeted therapies.
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.