# Cancer Molecular Imaging, Nanotechnology and Theranostics

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2024 · $177,678

## Abstract

CANCER MOLECULAR IMAGING, NANOTECHNOLOGY, AND THERANOSTICS RESEARCH PROGRAM (CMINT)
ABSTRACT
The Cancer Molecular Imaging, Nanotechnology, and Theranostics Research Program (CMINT) boasts
accomplished leaders with complementary expertise, Johannes Czernin, MD (Director), Caius Radu, MD (Co-
Director), and Jeffrey Zink, PhD (Co-Director). The primary Program objective is to advance translational
imaging, nanoparticle design and delivery, and theranostics with the goal of improving cancer patient outcomes
by moving discoveries to preclinical and clinical applications. CMINT Program science is highly interactive and
transdisciplinary, with its 45 faculty members drawn from four UCLA schools and partner institution, Caltech,
representing 16 basic and clinical departments. Members have diverse and complementary expertise in biology,
nuclear medicine, physics, nanotechnology, urology, radiology, radiation oncology, drug development,
engineering, image reconstruction, chemistry, radiochemistry, and animal models of disease. The CMINT
Program merges the former Cancer Molecular Imaging (CMI) Research Program with the evolution and organic
development of the prior Cancer Nanotechnology (CN) Research Program, combined with a new emphasis on
heavy particle therapy and imaging. As of March 1, 2019, the Program has $10,033,965 in direct cost funding,
including $5.9M (59%) from the NCI, and $8.95M (89%) in total direct cost peer-reviewed funding. Program
discoveries resulted in 1,109 publications over the prior project period, of which 23% are intra-programmatic
collaborations and 29% are inter-programmatic collaborations. In addition, 49% of publications represent
collaborations with external institutions and 35% are in high-impact (IF ≥10, or field leading) journals. The
Program contributed 14 patents, five approved INDs, and nine start-up companies. In the prior project period,
there were 93 clinical trials initiated by Program members with 11,807 individuals accrued. CMINT has four
specific aims to advance the primary Program objective and goal, including: (1) Developing instrumentation,
analytical tools, and novel molecular imaging approaches; (2) Imaging immune responses and responses to
immunotherapy; (3) Engineering nanotechnology-based imaging and therapeutic delivery systems; and (4)
Translating diagnostic and theranostic approaches into the clinic. Embedded within these aims are studies to
uncover and then target resistance mechanisms in peptide receptor radionuclide (PRRT) and radioligand (RLT)
therapies, and to evaluate novel theranostic pairs with high translational potential. Additional studies include
developing and translating new molecular imaging technologies and methodologies to improve the diagnosis
and treatment of cancer, and using a spectrum of optical, radioactive [PET/SPECT], and MRI imaging and non-
imaging approaches, such as mass-spectrometry, to extend the reach of molecular imaging and therapy. CMINT
Program members continue to em...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10824416
- **Project number:** 5P30CA016042-48
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHANNES CZERNIN
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $177,678
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1996-12-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10824416

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10824416, Cancer Molecular Imaging, Nanotechnology and Theranostics (5P30CA016042-48). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10824416. Licensed CC0.

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