Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded Washington University a $645,414 Project Grant on June 18, 2026, under the Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research program (CFDA 93.394) to develop and validate integrin-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and therapeutic approaches for radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF). The project, which extends through May 31, 2031, focuses on translating mechanistic understanding of integrin αvβ6's role in RIPF pathogenesis into clinical applications. Specifically, the research will deliver non-invasive PET imaging methods utilizing [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-αvβ6-BP to detect early RIPF in patient populations and evaluate a novel small-molecule integrin antagonist, IDL2965, for mitigating and treating RIPF in preclinical models.

The award supports research designed to address a significant clinical challenge: up to 40 percent of lung cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy develop RIPF, a late-stage pulmonary complication with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. By leveraging mouse models that closely mimic human RIPF pathology, the research will generate evidence to support progression to clinical trials in cancer patients, ultimately providing clinicians with both diagnostic tools for early RIPF detection and therapeutic interventions to prevent or treat this debilitating side effect of radiation therapy.