# Targeted MRI contrast agents for differential diagnosis of prostate cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $426,881

## Abstract

Abstract
 The goal of this project is to develop a safe and effective targeted MRI contrast agent for accurate
early detection and differential diagnosis of high-risk prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a highly
heterogeneous disease and the second most cause of cancer death of men in the US. Early accurate
detection and differential diagnosis of high-risk prostate cancer are critical for physicians to tailor
efficacious interventions to treat the disease earlier at a treatable stage. We propose to develop a novel
molecular imaging approach that targets an oncoprotein associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal
transition (EMT), cancer cell stemness, angiogenesis, proliferation, and metastasis. The oncoprotein has
a high expression in the tumor extracellular matrix of high-risk prostate cancer, low in low grade tumor,
none in normal tissues. Non-invasive high-resolution MRI of the oncoprotein holds a great promise for
accurate localization and differential diagnosis of high-risk prostate cancer. The specific aims of the
project are 1) to optimize peptide-targeted MRI contrast agents specific to the oncoprotein in high-risk
prostate cancer and to establish mouse prostate PDX models; 2) to perform preclinical evaluation of the
targeted MRI contrast agents; 3) to determine the effectiveness of the targeted MRI contrast agents for
early detection and differential diagnosis of high-risk prostate cancer in animal tumor models, including
patient-derived tumor models, and the toxicity of a lead targeted contrast agent. We have demonstrated
the feasibility of our targeted contrast agents in detection and differential prognosis of high-risk prostate
cancer in animal models. Multidisciplinary approaches will be applied by a strong research team with
complementary expertise in molecular imaging, uro-oncology, pathology, cancer biology, and MRI
physics from Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in this project. We will identify a
lead targeted contrast agent to initiate comprehensive preclinical and clinical development. The targeted
contrast agent will have the potential to provide early detection, localization, and differential diagnosis of
high-risk prostate cancer. It can also be used for risk stratification, active surveillance, and image-guide
therapy of prostate cancer in clinical practice. Success in this endeavor is not limited to better clinical
management of the disease, but will also provide exceptional economic and social benefit.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10131768
- **Project number:** 5R01CA211762-05
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** ZHENG-RONG LU
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $426,881
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2023-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10131768

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10131768, Targeted MRI contrast agents for differential diagnosis of prostate cancer (5R01CA211762-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10131768. Licensed CC0.

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