# Three-Dimensional Multi-Parametric Ultrasound for Monitoring Therapy of Liver Metastasis

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2023 · $427,857

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The ability to non-invasively predict or monitor early patient response to cancer therapy will have significant
implications for patient care with the potential to spare non-responding patients the high morbidity and cost
associated with failed treatments. Due to its wide accessibility, lack of radiation, relatively low cost, and
excellent visualization of the liver, ultrasound is a demonstrated and potentially ideal modality to repeatedly
image and monitor patient responses over the course of therapy. In the first phase of this work, we
demonstrated that current 2D dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) is fundamentally limited in
quantification due to tumor heterogeneities, resulting in consecutive sampling errors with substantial over- or
underestimation of treatment response in patients. We then showed that these limitations could be overcome
by a novel 3D DCE-US imaging approach using innovative matrix array transducer technology to provide
motion-compensated, accurate quantitative and volumetric assessment of tissue perfusion of liver metastases.
In this competitive renewal proposal, framed as an industry-academic partnership with Philips who is
committed to our proposal, our aim to clinically advance 3D multi-parametric tissue and perfusion
characterization with ultrasound (3D MPUS) to predict or monitor early response in patients with metastatic
colorectal cancers to the liver (mCRC). For this, we have proposed a set of specific aims where we will: i) work
with Philips to enhance 3D DCE-US data acquisition to overcome previously reported limitations, enable
simultaneous acquisition of raw RF/Bmode data for tissue characterization, and develop an analysis software
suite for MPUS quantification, ii) carry-out a multi-site clinical feasibility, acquisition repeatability and
quantification reproducibility assessment of 3D MPUS in 300 patients, and iii) determine whether 3D MPUS
quantification can predict or monitor early therapy response. For this, baseline and early changes of tumor
perfusion and tissue parameters (obtained before and at 2-3 weeks after initiation of therapy) will be correlated
to treatment response. Treatment response as defined on abdominal radiological scans acquired at 2 months
following treatment initiation will be determined using standard RECIST 1.1 reporting. Our proposal builds on
the recent FDA approval of ultrasound contrast agents for liver tumor imaging, increased clinical availability of
commercial 3D US abdominal probes, and our initial clinical validation of 3D DCE-US and extensive
experiences in QUS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11077645
- **Project number:** 7R01CA195443-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Ahmed El Kaffas
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $427,857
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2016-04-01 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11077645

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11077645, Three-Dimensional Multi-Parametric Ultrasound for Monitoring Therapy of Liver Metastasis (7R01CA195443-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11077645. Licensed CC0.

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