# Non-invasive staging of Metastasis by Precision MRI

> **NIH NIH R44** · INLIGHTA BIOSCIENCES, LLC · 2023 · $1,000,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This SBIR application will develop an improved contrast agent for precision staging through early and accurate
detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) liver metastasis. We have created an innovative platform
technology using a new class of protein-based MRI contrast agents (ProCAs) for contrast-enhanced MRI. We
have developed an effective approach to generate protein contrast agents against an array of molecular
biomarkers including collagen I (ProCA32.collagen). This extracellular matrix protein is highly expressed in the
tumor microenvironment and its expression levels and crosslinking increase upon
progression. ProCA32.collagen exhibits 10- to 50-fold increase in both r1 and r2 relaxivities, compared to
clinically-approved Gd3+ contrast agents, resulting in exceptional imaging capability that can discern
heterogeneous tissue signals via a dual MR imaging methodology. ProCA32.collagen has strong collagen
binding affinity, enables early detection of small liver metastases <0.2 mm and allows for mapping tumor
heterogeneity in several murine xenograft tumor models; a 100-fold improvement in the detection limit
over clinical contrast agents. ProCA32.collagen is expected to have a low risk related to metal toxicity due to its
unprecedented metal binding selectivity and kinetic stability, prolonged blood retention and adequate
biodistribution, which permits high quality imaging at low doses. This proposal will test the hypothesis that a non-
invasive, in vivo MRI for accurate staging of PDAC through detection of subclinical liver metastases can be
achieved by further optimizing the collagen targeted ProCA32.collagen+ contrast agent. This series of preclinical
studies will provide data such as formulation and safety profile needed to submit an FDA Investigational New
Drug (IND) application for an early phase clinical trial. This application will improve detection of subclinical
metastasis and have broad impact for PDAC.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10709581
- **Project number:** 5R44CA268403-02
- **Recipient organization:** INLIGHTA BIOSCIENCES, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Yiting Xu
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $1,000,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-23 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10709581

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10709581, Non-invasive staging of Metastasis by Precision MRI (5R44CA268403-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10709581. Licensed CC0.

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