Using real-time MRI to improve radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer

Real-time MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy of unresectable pancreatic cancer

NIH-funded research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-10913332

This study is looking at a new way to make radiation therapy better for people with pancreatic cancer that can't be surgically removed, using special MRI technology to track tumor movement and deliver radiation more accurately, which could help improve treatment results while protecting healthy tissue.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10913332 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing radiation therapy for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer by utilizing advanced real-time MRI technology. The approach involves developing a system called MR SIGnature Matching (MRSIGMA) that tracks tumor movement during treatment, allowing for precise targeting of radiation doses. By minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, this method aims to deliver higher doses of radiation safely, potentially improving treatment outcomes for patients. The project will collaborate with Elekta to integrate this technology into existing radiotherapy systems.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer who are not eligible for surgical resection.

Not a fit: Patients with resectable pancreatic cancer or those who have already undergone extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer by enabling more effective radiation treatment.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results using similar real-time imaging techniques in other cancer treatments, indicating potential for success in this novel application.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer CauseCancer EtiologyCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.