Using real-time MRI to improve radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer
Official title: Real-time MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy of unresectable pancreatic cancer
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-10913332 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $660,804 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA255661-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10913332 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer who are not eligible for surgical resection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with resectable pancreatic cancer or those who have already undergone extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Otazo, Ricardo — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Otazo, Ricardo
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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.