Project R-16029

Beyond the biopsy: Innovative multimodal imaging to assess whole tumor heterogeneity in lung cancer (Research)

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprising 80% of cases. Despite advancements in treatment, survival rates remain low due to tumor heterogeneity, which significantly impacts therapy response. Current tools often fail to capture the full extent of tumor heterogeneity, limiting the development of personalized therapeutic approaches. This project aims to address these challenges by integrating advanced imaging modalities to investigate tumor heterogeneity in NSCLC. We will employ 3D light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) to generate high-resolution, three-dimensional maps of entire tumor-bearing mouse lungs and their microenvironments. These datasets will be correlated with non-invasive micro-computed tomography (µCT) and histopathology analyses. Bridging the insights gained from these modalities will enable the identification of µCT-derived surrogate biomarkers that reflect tumor heterogeneity. As a proof of concept, we will evaluate the impact of immune therapy on these µCT-derived markers reflecting tumor heterogeneity to evaluate therapy outcomes. This innovative approach will establish a comprehensive framework for visualizing and analyzing tumor heterogeneity, ultimately enhancing diagnostic accuracy in NSCLC.

01 October 2025 - 30 September 2028