Using MRI and blood tests to understand treatment responses in rectal cancer
Official title: MRI and blood biomarkers of neoadjuvant therapy response and outcomes in rectal cancer
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11031929 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how MRI scans and blood tests can help doctors figure out which patients with rectal cancer will respond well to treatment before surgery, so they can tailor the best plan for each person—possibly helping some avoid surgery altogether while making sure others get the care they really need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $544,093 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA285456-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031929 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with stage II or III rectal cancer who are about to undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage rectal cancer or those who have already undergone treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how MRI scans and blood biomarkers can help predict how well patients with rectal cancer respond to neoadjuvant therapy, which is treatment given before surgery. The study aims to identify which patients are likely to achieve a complete response to treatment and which may face a higher risk of cancer spreading. By improving the accuracy of these predictions, the research seeks to optimize treatment plans, potentially allowing some patients to avoid unnecessary surgery while ensuring others receive more aggressive treatment when needed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized treatment plans for rectal cancer patients, improving outcomes and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using imaging and biomarkers for treatment response prediction in various cancers, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Ruijiang — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Li, Ruijiang
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This grant supports a small international study to understand how radiation therapy interacts with the immune system in rectal cancer by collecting tumor, blood, stool, and lymph node samples from patients before and after treatment.
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.