# Core 2: Translational Biospecimens and Imaging Biomarkers

> **NIH NIH P01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2021 · $299,603

## Abstract

CORE 2
TRANSLATIONAL BIOSPECIMEN AND IMAGING BIOMARKER CORE
SUMMARY
The Translational Biospecimen and Imaging Biomarker Core Component (Core 2) is a unique, centralized
resource to support biospecimen and imaging data collection from radiation-treated patients and will provide
sample collection, processing, and sharing. These activities will be carried out for patients enrolled in clinical
trials of experimental radiotherapy at the two partnering sites using standardized protocols and procedures. This
core will 1) obtain voluntary, informed consent from oncology patients who will undergo or be evaluated for
radiation therapy to allow for: (i) identification, storage, and use of patients’ blood, tissue, and clinical information
for research purposes, (ii) linkage of clinical information to results from research performed on biospecimens in
cooperation with core 1, (iii) sharing and publication of de-identified data generated from scientific study; 2)
provide a comprehensive, secure and standardized process for collecting, annotating and storing imaging
biomarkers and biological specimens from patients who have undergone, will undergo or be evaluated for
radiotherapy at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
Centers (UTMDACC); and 3) facilitate the conduct of basic and translational research to further personalize
therapy using imaging and blood biomarkers collected during the course of clinical care together with clinical
data. Core 2 will support innovative approaches in the projects, such as multiplexed protein analyses and
immunophenotyping and new imaging methods. The Core will facilitate translational biomarker studies based on
understanding of intrinsic tumor biology and lymphocyte alterations following proton versus photon radiotherapy,
which remains largely uncharacterized in the field of particle therapy. Moreover, supporting Project 1, the use
of imaging biomarkers to gain information on the effects of proton therapy on normal tissues as a function of
both dose and LET is highly innovative, as is the development of AI-based autosegmentation algorithms for MRI
and XNAT image analysis pipeline, including the voxel-based analysis of functional imaging for liver, central
nervous system and lung. Core 2’s support will enable novel understanding of the interaction of the immune
system with proton versus photon radiotherapy in Project 2. Project 3 will rely on Core 2 to provide human
tissue specimen for the creation of PDX models and a catalogue of cell lines available for preclinical research
across institutions, thereby harnessing the strengths of MGH and UTMDACC. The strength of Core 2 is that it
leverages the unique patient population and capabilities at the two Cancer Centers. The MGH site will contribute
20 years of expertise in circulating biomarker studies in over 40 clinical trials, while the UTMDACC site will
provide extensive experience in leading nationwide multicenter collaborative p...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10270310
- **Project number:** 1P01CA261669-01
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Simona Shaitelman
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $299,603
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-21 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10270310

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10270310, Core 2: Translational Biospecimens and Imaging Biomarkers (1P01CA261669-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10270310. Licensed CC0.

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