Investigating hpMRI for Head and Neck Cancers

This study is looking at a special type of scan called hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging (hpMRI) to see if it can help predict how well treatments work for people with thyroid cancer and other head and neck cancers. You would receive an imaging contrast agent called Hyperpolarized Carbon C 13 Pyruvate intravenously (into your vein) during the hpMRI scan. The study aims to see if this scan can show early changes in your body's metabolism that might tell doctors if your radiation therapy or other treatments are effective. To join, you need to be at least 18 years old, have thyroid or other head and neck cancer, and be planning to receive treatment. The study is looking to enroll 42 participants, but the current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 42 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
If you have cancer, you would undergo an hpMRI scan at the start of treatment and again one week later. Healthy volunteers undergo one MRI scan.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Patients with cancer are followed up for one day after the study intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04589624

An Investigational Scan (hpMRI) for Monitoring Treatment Response in Patients With Thyroid Cancer and Other Malignancies of the Head and Neck Undergoing Radiation Therapy and/or Systemic Therapy

Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 18+InterventionalDiagnostic
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
~42 participants
Updated 2026-05-22 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Hyperpolarized Carbon C 13 PyruvateMagnetic Resonance Imaging

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Metabolic imaging data from hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging (hpMRI) methods
Measured over 1 year
Thyroid Gland Carcinoma
1 sites across 1 states
Texas1
  • Stephen Y Lai · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Be willing and able to provide informed consent
Be informed of the investigational nature of this study
Be diagnosed with thyroid cancer and other malignancies of the head and neck with intent for treatment

Exclusion

Have a history of severe claustrophobia
Have electrically, magnetically or mechanically activated implants that would preclude magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Have a history of cardiac arrhythmia
Have an allergy to Gadavist intravenous contrast
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 30
If female, be pregnant or breast feeding at time of consent
  • Metabolic imaging data from hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging (hpMRI) methods1 year

    To measure metabolic imaging data or information derived from hyperpolarized pyruvate MRI (hpMRI) that can be used to identify an early indication of response to therapy in patients with thyroid cancer. Specifically, we measure the kPL-the apparent rate constant for conversion of HP pyruvate into lactate-after one week of treatment compared to baseline measurements acquired prior to start of therapy. The kPL will be calculated from dynamic images of HP pyruvate and its metabolites. The kPL values will be calculated for each tumor and its adjacent tissue by a radiologist and physicist in conjunction using region of interest analysis to identify the margins of the tumor and surrounding normal tissue.