Using advanced imaging to assess Crohn's disease
Official title: Evaluation of PET/MR Enterography for Differentiation of Fibrotic and Inflammatory Strictures in Patients With Crohn's Disease Using a Collagen-binding Radiotracer.
Run by Massachusetts General Hospital · NCT06252493 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of imaging to see if it can better identify certain problems in the intestines of people with Crohn's disease who might need surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 25 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Charlestown, Massachusetts) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 19, 2023 |
| Main results expected | December 19, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 19, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | March 12, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06252493 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old with biopsy-confirmed or suspected Crohn's disease.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with electrical or ferromagnetic implants, severe renal impairment, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study involves 25 patients with Crohn's disease who are scheduled for possible surgery. Participants will undergo a PET/MR scan using a collagen-binding radiotracer to evaluate its effectiveness in detecting and differentiating strictures with fibrotic components. The study aims to compare the performance of PET/MR imaging against PET and MR imaging alone, using surgical and histologic findings as benchmarks. Additionally, blood and tissue markers for fibrotic burden will be explored to enhance understanding of the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve preoperative assessment and treatment planning for patients with Crohn's disease by providing more accurate imaging of strictures.
How similar studies have gone: While PET/MR imaging is a relatively novel approach, previous studies have shown promise in using similar imaging techniques for other conditions, suggesting potential for success in this context.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age greater than 18 years * Biopsy confirmed/suspected Crohn's disease * Ability to give written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Electrical implants such as cardiac pacemaker or perfusion pump; * Ferromagnetic implants such as aneurysm clips, surgical clips, prostheses, artificial hearts, valves with steel parts, metal fragments, shrapnel, metallic tattoos anywhere on the body, tattoos near the eye, or steel implants ferromagnetic objects such as jewelry or metal clips in clothing; * eGFR of less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 within the past 90 days; * Pregnant or breastfeeding (a negative quantitative serum hCG pregnancy test will be required for females of child-bearing age before the subject can participate); * History of claustrophobia or any other condition considered likely to preclude the patient from lying comfortably in the MR/PET scanner for the duration of the exam; * Research-related radiation exposure exceeds current Radiation Safety Committee guidelines (i.e. 50 mSv in the prior 12 months); * BMI \> 33 (limit of the PET/MR table); * Co-morbid conditions known to cause fibrosis that may interfere with the results of the exam (e.g., retroperitoneal fibrosis, mesenteric panniculitis, desmoid tumor etc.) * Determined by the investigator(s) to be clinically unsuitable for the study (e.g. based on screening visit and/or during study procedures);
Where it's running
-
Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Onofrio Catalano, MD, Ph.D — Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Onofrio Catalano, MD, Ph.D
- Email: ocatalano@mgh.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-724-4030
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Microencapsulated Propionate vs Butyrate for Crohn's Disease in Remission
This study tests whether microencapsulated sodium propionate can favorably alter the gut microbiota and inflammation in adults with Crohn’s disease, compared with sodium butyrate.
-
Risankizumab for Refractory Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease
This study tests whether risankizumab can help people with Crohn’s disease who have draining perianal fistulas not responding to other treatments.
-
Intestinal ultrasound-guided management for inflammatory bowel disease
This study tests if adding point-of-care intestinal ultrasound at every visit changes treatment decisions for adults with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis undergoing disease assessment.
-
Laser-based sizing of GI lesions during endoscopies
This study tests whether the AccuMeasure laser tool gives more accurate and reliable lesion size measurements during colonoscopies for adults with colon polyps or Crohn’s disease than traditional endoscopic estimates.
-
A Probiotic Approach to Modulating Gut Microbiota in Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis
A specific probiotic given rectally will be tested in adults with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis to see if it can help manage symptoms.
-
Claudin-2 Immunostaining to Detect Active or Inactive Inflammation in IBD Biopsies
This study tests whether staining for Claudin-2 in intestinal biopsy samples can help identify active vs. inactive inflammation in people with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.