Using PET/CT scans to spot vein inflammation and clot risk in children and young adults with cancer
PET/CT Imaging of Venous Thromboembolism in Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Oncology
This project uses PET/CT scans with a glucose tracer to look for vein inflammation that may signal higher risk of dangerous blood clots in children, adolescents, and young adults receiving chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132970 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will use 18F-FDG PET/CT images taken during routine cancer care to measure inflammation along veins in pediatric and AYA patients with lymphoma. They will first confirm the imaging signal in lab and preclinical work, then apply the method to clinical images and medical records to see which patients later develop venous thromboembolism (VTE). The researchers will also explore whether preventive blood thinners reduce the imaging signs of vein inflammation. If I were involved, my existing PET/CT scans and medical data could be used without extra invasive procedures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children, adolescents, and young adults with lymphoma who are receiving chemotherapy and who have 18F-FDG PET/CT scans as part of their clinical care are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without PET/CT imaging, those with cancers other than lymphoma not included in the study, or people not receiving chemotherapy are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help identify young cancer patients at high risk for blood clots so clinicians can target preventive treatment and reduce VTE-related harm.
How similar studies have performed: PET/CT imaging with 18F-FDG has been used to detect vascular inflammation in adults and to study thrombosis, but applying it specifically to predict VTE risk in pediatric and AYA oncology is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, United States
- Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stacy, Mitchel R — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Stacy, Mitchel R
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 below.