# Dual Modality X-ray Luminescence CT for in vivo Cancer Imaging

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $569,066

## Abstract

Dual Modality CT/X-ray Luminescence CT for in vivo Cancer Imaging
ABSTRACT
A combined X-ray CT and molecular imaging system, referred to as “CT/X-ray luminescence CT (XLCT)”, is
proposed. The system uses X-ray as a single source to image anatomy and molecular features from
simultaneous detection of luminescence signals of X-ray activatable molecular probes. In this technique, the
spatial information is obtained by exciting the sample using spatially selective X-ray patterns while optical
detectors placed around the sample measure luminescence photons diffusing out. Regardless of where these
photons are detected, it is known that they are created somewhere on the path of the coded X-ray beams. This
fundamental principle constitutes a new paradigm for imaging deep-seated light-emitting probes, with little
background from tissue auto-fluorescence. Another significant advantage of XLCT is that X-ray excitation is
amplified by orders of magnitude because of the extremely high quantum yield (2-4 orders of magnitude greater
than 100%) of the radioluminescent materials. Toward establishing XLCT for various biomedical applications
and eventually for clinical applications, we have assembled a multidisciplinary team consisting of leading
investigators with expertise in CT imaging, molecular imaging, biochemistry, medical physics, computational
science, and medicine, and established research themes that unify the common interests and expertise of these
investigators. If successful, the hybrid CT/XLCT will overcome many of the limitations of CT and optical
imaging methods and enable us to visualize biological processes in the anatomical CT image context with
unprecedented sensitivity, specificity and spatial resolution. The novel dual modality imaging strategy will
therefore significantly advance the field of cancer imaging and provide a valuable imaging tool for biological
and clinical studies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10360435
- **Project number:** 5R01CA227713-04
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Lei Xing
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $569,066
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-12-01 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10360435

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10360435, Dual Modality X-ray Luminescence CT for in vivo Cancer Imaging (5R01CA227713-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10360435. Licensed CC0.

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