Improving cancer detection with advanced PET/CT imaging techniques

A Prospective Study of the Augmented Whole-body Scanning Via Magnifying PET/CT (AWSM-PET/CT) Techniques Abilities to Improve Upon the Diagnostic Accuracy of the Standard-of-care (SOC) PET/CT for Malignant Lesion Detection

NA · Washington University School of Medicine · NCT05513027

This study is testing a new imaging technique called AWSM-PET to see if it can help doctors find smaller cancer spots that regular PET/CT scans might miss.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment35 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorWashington University School of Medicine (other)
Locations1 site (Saint Louis, Missouri)
Trial IDNCT05513027 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Augmented Whole-body Scanning via Magnifying PET (AWSM-PET) technology in enhancing the diagnostic accuracy of standard PET/CT imaging for cancer detection. The focus is on improving image resolution and sensitivity, particularly for detecting smaller malignant lesions that are often missed by conventional methods. Participants will undergo AWSM-PET imaging alongside standard PET/CT scans to compare the outcomes. The study aims to enroll adult patients with suspected or confirmed cancer who are scheduled for standard PET/CT imaging.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with suspected or confirmed carcinoma who are scheduled for standard PET/CT imaging.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions that preclude them from undergoing PET imaging or those not diagnosed with cancer may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could lead to earlier and more accurate detection of cancer, improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While advancements in PET imaging have been made, this specific approach using AWSM-PET is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patient 18 years of age or older
* Patient with suspected or pathologically confirmed diagnosis of carcinoma scheduled to undergo standard of care (SOC) PET/CT for initial diagnosis, initial staging, or suspected recurrence. Preference is to enroll those subjects who will undergo biopsy or surgical resection prior to other cancer treatment.
* Willing to undergo PET/CT imaging with AWSM-PET.
* Patients of child-bearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test on the day of the PET/CT scan. Postmenopausal women who self-report as amenorrheic for at least 12 consecutive months are to be considered not of child-bearing potential.
* Patients must be able to understand and sign an IRB-approved informed consent form that allows access to prior medical records, participation in the study and chart review follow up.
* Patients are able to tolerate up to approximately 30 min of PET imaging.

Exclusion Criteria:

* For FDG PET/CT only: Patients who have poorly controlled diabetes (fasting blood glucose \> 200 mg/dL obtained directly prior to FDG administration for PET/CT scan)
* Patients whose weight or whose body habitus prohibits the AWSM-PET insert device from being placed at the end of the imaging field of view

Where this trial is running

Saint Louis, Missouri

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Cancer, Magnifying PET, virtual-pinhole PET, cancer, FDG PET/CT

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.