PAR-25-175
Integration of Imaging and Fluid-Based Tumor Monitoring in Cancer Therapy (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Summary
PAR-25-175: Integration of Imaging and Fluid-Based Tumor Monitoring in Cancer Therapy
Research Focus
This R01 program supports clinical studies that integrate imaging and liquid biopsy assays to monitor cancer treatment response and detect treatment resistance in real time. The NCI seeks research combining molecular or functional imaging modalities (e.g., PET, MRI) with fluid-based tumor monitoring—detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating RNA, or exosomes in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, or urine. Studies must demonstrate how these two modalities complement each other in characterizing therapy response across cancer types and treatment settings. Research should address questions such as: How do imaging and liquid biopsy results correlate during active treatment? What minimal biomarker changes correspond to detectable tumor changes? Can liquid biopsy monitoring substitute for routine imaging surveillance? The goal is to establish optimal assay combinations for accurate, early detection of treatment failure or resistance, informing clinical decision-making in precision oncology.
At a Glance
- Who can apply: Domestic and foreign institutions; domestic for-profit organizations; clinical trial participation is optional.
- Funding & project length: Less than $500,000 direct costs per year; maximum 5 years.
- Award mechanism: R01 Research Project Grant.
- Key dates: Open January 5, 2025; rolling due dates (next: February 5, 2025); earliest start May–July 2025 depending on cycle.
- Best fit for: Oncology, cancer biology, medical imaging, molecular diagnostics; multidisciplinary teams integrating imaging scientists, liquid biopsy developers, and clinical researchers in first-line/recurrent disease or retrospective cohort settings.
Key Facts
Deadline
Fri, January 7, 2028
Posted
Wed, November 6, 2024
Award / Year (direct costs)
$500,000
Max Total
$2,500,000
Max Duration
5 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (4)
Long-term post-treatment surveillance in patients where treatment has been curative is explicitly out of scope and will result in non-responsive designation
99%
Source Text
“Applications with the following attributes will be deemed non-responsive and will not be reviewed: Long-term post-treatment surveillance in patients where treatment has been curative”
Applications must integrate imaging and fluid-based tumor monitoring assays that are already developed/validated or in final validation stages; pre-clinical development or novel method development is
95%
Source Text
“the chosen experimental liquid biopsy and imaging methods must already be developed and validated (e.g., performed on a pre-existing set of human biospecimens with the same disease or condition as that in the proposed validation application) or in final validation (e.g., in any phase of a human clinical trial) that support their clinical utility in diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and/or prediction of response to treatment... Applications with the following attributes will be deemed non-respons”
Budget cap is less than $500,000 in direct costs per year (not equal to or up to $500,000)
95%
Source Text
“Application budgets are limited to less than $500,000 in direct costs per year”
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program officers before submission to discuss relevance of proposed studies
90%
Source Text
“Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Scientific/Research contacts listed in Section VII to discuss the relevance of the proposed studies before submitting the application.”