Using MRI to better predict aggressive prostate cancer in African American men
Official title: Racially-associated MRI analysis and modeling for predicting aggressive prostate cancer
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10929975 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to better detect aggressive prostate cancer in African American men by using advanced MRI technology that looks at both the structure and function of the prostate, aiming to improve how we interpret these scans to help those at higher risk.
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 start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $532,300 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA272702-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10929975 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American men who are at risk for or have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not African American or those without prostate cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the detection of aggressive prostate cancer in African American men, who are disproportionately affected by this disease. It utilizes multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI), a non-invasive imaging technique that combines anatomical and functional data to identify prostate tumors. The study aims to enhance the current interpretation standards by incorporating racially associated MRI characteristics, which have shown to affect detection rates. By developing a portable perfusion phantom to standardize measurements, the research seeks to improve the accuracy of cancer detection in this high-risk population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely diagnoses of aggressive prostate cancer in African American men, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that incorporating racial factors into medical imaging can improve diagnostic accuracy, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sung, Kyung Hyun — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Sung, Kyung Hyun
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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.