# 3D High Resolution Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting for Prostate Cancer

> **NIH NIH R37** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2021 · $641,896

## Abstract

Project Summary Abstract
The goal is to identify and characterize prostate cancer objectively and accurately using a rapid
quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) approach. The standard-of-care in patients
being evaluated for suspicion of prostate cancer is systematic sampling of the entire gland with
12 biopsy cores, without an identified focus suspicious for cancer on imaging. Current qualitative
MR images, while mostly successful in highlighting prostate cancer, may look different from
scanner to scanner, or even when repeated on the same scanner. This variability adds complexity
to an already subjective interpretive process of detecting cancer and discriminating between
clinically significant and indolent disease. Thus, more robust and standardized MRI methods to
detect and characterize clinically significant prostate cancer are needed.
This project plans to address this issue with following specific aims:
(1) A rapid high-resolution 3D MRF acquisition will be developed and optimized for prostate
cancer assessment by innovating reduced field-of-view imaging, 3D Cartesian sampling, and
advanced reconstruction in MRF. The proposal MRF acquisition will enable accurate T1 and T2
mapping over the prostate gland with an isotropic submillimeter resolution (0.8 mm3) in an
acquisition time of less than 5 minutes.
(2) Contrast-weighted images synthesized using MRF-based T1 and T2 maps will replace
conventional qualitative images for detecting prostate cancer.
(3) MRF-based T1 and T2 with apparent diffusion coefficient will be validated to separate cancer
from non-cancer and differentiate cancers with different grades.
(4) Microstructural signatures of prostate cancer derived from MRF will provide information about
subvoxel components (epithelium, stroma, lumen, and their volume fractions) to reveal occult
cancers and enable the discrimination of different grades of cancer.
This project will advance prostate imaging by providing reproducible and repeatable non-invasive
quantitative imaging metrics. These innovations will replace conventional contrast-weighted
imaging with a single rapid high-resolution standard MRF protocol, provide an objective
identification of prostate cancer and grading, and improve the classification of prostate cancer
using microstructural signatures, thus reducing unnecessary biopsies and facilitating appropriate
treatment selection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10275705
- **Project number:** 1R37CA263583-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Yun Jiang
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $641,896
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10275705

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10275705, 3D High Resolution Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting for Prostate Cancer (1R37CA263583-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10275705. Licensed CC0.

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