Cancer Imaging & Early Detection

Stanford University, Stanford CA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY The Cancer Imaging and Early Detection (CID) Program advances cancer detection and management by carrying out novel research using innovative imaging technologies. The major goals of the program are threefold: (1) Advance screening and early cancer detection through the integration of in vitro and in vivo diagnostics; (2) Improve cancer therapy monitoring and image-guided therapy through the development and testing of novel diagnostic and theranostic probes; and (3) Improve the speed, safety, and accuracy of medical imaging procedures through the development of advanced image data processing algorithms. These goals will be accomplished through three specific aims: (1) The development and clinical translation of novel instrumentation for in vitro and in vivo cancer diagnosis; (2) The design, preclinical development, and clinical translation of molecular imaging agents and assays for cancer diagnosis and management; and (3) The development of advanced image data processing algorithms, including artificial intelligence. Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, MD, PhD, co-led the CID Program from 2015 to 2017 with Chris Contag, PhD, and from 2017 to 2020 with Heike Daldrup-Link, MD. Contag transitioned to a leadership position at Michigan State University in 2017. Before his untimely passing in 2020, Gambhir ensured a seamless transition, carefully selecting and training his successors. Since July 2020, the CID Program is co-led by Daldrup-Link and Daniel Rubin, MD, MS. Daldrup-Link provides specific expertise in preclinical and clinical MR imaging as well as nanoparticle development for MRI and theranostics. Rubin brings his computational and artificial intelligence background to the cancer imaging field to enable biomedical discovery and to advance clinical efforts toward personalized care. Both program co-leaders have more than 20 years of experience in imaging research, which spans the entire breadth of medical imaging techniques. The 35 members of the CID Program represent the Stanford Schools of Medicine (SOM), Engineering, and Humanities & Sciences and are supported by peer- reviewed research funding totaling $8.2M, including 28 R01s, 3 R21s, and 5 U01s. The program also has a major focus on training the next generation of imaging researchers and physician-scientists with 3 T32 grants and 2 R25 programs. Peer-reviewed funding consists of $6.6M from the NCI, $1.5M from other NIH, and $0.1M other peer-reviewed support. Since 2015, members of the CID Program have published 619 manuscripts, of which 22% represent intra-programmatic, 27% inter-programmatic, and 93% multi-institutional collaborations. The Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) enhanced the goals of the CID Program by providing salary support for personnel to manage the Cancer Imaging Shared Resource, grant support for new research projects, financial support for research program retreats and seminars, and financial support for new recruitments. The support from the SCI has been instrumental in promoting both intra- and inter-programmatic collaborations that were essential for the CID Program.