# Prostate Cancer Radio-Pathomics for Differentiating Clinically Significant Disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · 2021 · $631,957

## Abstract

Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-cutaneous cancer, affecting one in seven men. Even
when treated with a radical prostatectomy, historically about 20% of patients exhibit tumor recurrence. This
proposal will focus on the integration of two separate, complimentary datasets to better differentiate high risk
patients: multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI) and whole-mount post-surgical prostate
pathology samples. We will develop radio-pathomic algorithms capable of predicting underlying pathomic
features from non-invasive imaging in order to differentiate prostate cancer with high metastatic potential. Our
overarching hypothesis is that microscopic, heterogeneous pathomic features of prostate cancer are reliably
detectable and quantifiable with macroscopic quantitative MP-MRI. Non-invasively mapping these features will
provide a clinically useful tool for differentiating aggressive from indolent prostate cancer, and for potentially
targeting with radiation.
 This proposal includes two specific aims in response to the goals outlined in PAR-19-264. Specific to
the funding opportunity announcement: Aim 1 will develop radio-pathomic approaches for defining imaging-
based biomarkers capable of distinguishing aggressive from indolent prostate cancer. This will be done at the
microscopic level in Aim 1.1 with histology, and then at the macroscopic level in Aim 1.2 with MP-MRI. Aim 1.3
will test the resilience of the radio-pathomic algorithm by intentionally perturbing the system and algorithms.
Combining the Rad-Path datasets with clinical variables in Aim 1.4 will look to improve sensitivity and specificity
for early detection and differential diagnosis, by correlating our radio-pathomic maps with other omics.
Additionally, included in Aim 1, are extensive validation experiments meant to further establish the robustness
of the radio-pathomic algorithm. In Aim 2, this project will translate the radio-pathomic algorithms to the clinic.
This will include in Aim 2.1 adapting our algorithms to two clinical MR imaging systems (GE and Siemens),
and in Aim 2.2 developing a radio-pathomic driven MRI protocol for serial imaging on a combined MR-LINAC
system, one of only two operational in the US. Completion of this project will provide a powerful set of
quantitative imaging tools to clinicians for improved differentiation of high-risk prostate cancer and for
measuring response to prostate cancer therapy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10066138
- **Project number:** 1R01CA249882-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter S LaViolette
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $631,957
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10066138

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10066138, Prostate Cancer Radio-Pathomics for Differentiating Clinically Significant Disease (1R01CA249882-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10066138. Licensed CC0.

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