# Validation and translation of a non-invasive, MR-guided breast cancer therapy

> **NIH NIH R37** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2021 · $536,994

## Abstract

The treatment of early stage, localized breast cancer has evolved over several decades from highly invasive
techniques to minimally invasive, breast-conserving therapies. Our breast-specific magnetic resonance-guided
focused ultrasound system – the “Muse” MRgFUS System – non-invasively delivers focused energy deep
inside the body under high-resolution image guidance. The technical advances we have made poise MRgFUS
as a nearly ready non-invasive ablation treatment for localized breast disease. The final steps for its clinical
translation include studies to compare, optimize and carefully validate treatment planning, real-time monitoring
and assessment techniques against the best available standard metrics, which include invasive temperature
probes, hydrophone measurements and histopathology. This proposal pairs experienced academic
investigators at the University of Utah with industry investigators at Image Guided Therapy. Combining the
academic partner's scientific expertise and technological knowledge with the system integration and regulatory
expertise of the industry partner will facilitate translation of this exciting technology. This proposal will develop
and validate the remaining elements necessary to translate the Muse System into clinical care including: 1)
accurate MRgFUS treatment planning based on a rapid ultrasound beam modeling method, 2) a
comprehensive breast-focused volumetric MR thermometry method, and 3) a novel MRI-registered whole
mount histology technique that compares MRI metrics to histopathological analysis. We will integrate each of
these validated elements in a clinic-ready, treatment software control environment and will evaluate the entire
process in a Phase I treat-and-resect clinical trial targeting unifocal invasive breast cancer tumors. The
validation and translation of the Muse System in this proposal will provide an exciting new image-guided non-
invasive treatment option for breast cancer patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10085213
- **Project number:** 5R37CA224141-04
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Allison Payne
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $536,994
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-02-01 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10085213

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10085213, Validation and translation of a non-invasive, MR-guided breast cancer therapy (5R37CA224141-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10085213. Licensed CC0.

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