Using advanced MRI to track treatment response in bladder cancer
Official title: Monitoring response of neoadjuvant therapy in primary bladder cancer using hyperpolarized 13C MRI
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11061082 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to develop a new way to see how well people with muscle invasive bladder cancer are responding to their chemotherapy treatment, using a special type of MRI that can show changes in how the cancer is behaving, so doctors can better tailor treatments to each patient’s needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 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 | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $191,675 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA288687-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061082 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with muscle invasive bladder cancer who are about to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer or those who have already received extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a new imaging biomarker that can help assess how well patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. By utilizing a cutting-edge technique called hyperpolarized 13C MRI, the study will measure changes in metabolism related to cancer treatment. This approach focuses on patient-derived tumor models to better understand individual responses to therapy, potentially allowing for more personalized treatment plans. The goal is to identify patients who are likely to benefit from chemotherapy and avoid unnecessary side effects for those who are not responding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment strategies for bladder cancer patients, improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary toxicity.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of hyperpolarized MRI is a novel approach in this context, similar imaging techniques have shown promise in other cancer types, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sriram, Renuka — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Sriram, Renuka
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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.