Using alpha particles to improve cancer treatment planning and imaging
Official title: Alpha-emitter Imaging for Dosimetry and Treatment Planning
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10931438 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make cancer treatment better by using special radiation that targets cancer cells, and it aims to create new imaging techniques to help doctors see how well this treatment is working for each patient, ultimately hoping to improve their care and results.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $412,746 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA272222-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931438 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that are treatable with alpha-particle radiopharmaceutical therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not respond to alpha-particle therapy or those who are not eligible for radiopharmaceutical treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing cancer treatment through the use of alpha-particle emitters, which deliver targeted radiation to cancer cells. By developing advanced imaging techniques, specifically single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), the study aims to visualize the distribution of these alpha-emitting radionuclides in patients. This will allow for personalized treatment planning and optimization, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients undergoing radiopharmaceutical therapy. The goal is to make these imaging methods widely accessible and improve the effectiveness of cancer therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized cancer treatments, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with alpha-particle therapies, but the imaging techniques being developed in this project are novel and aim to address existing limitations.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Du, Yong — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Du, Yong
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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.