ATLANTA – Georgia State University researchers have developed a new protein-based MRI contrast agent that may help detect aggressive lung cancer and metastatic disease much earlier than conventional imaging. The technology, called hProCA32.Collagen, targets collagen type I, which is often elevated in invasive tumors, and was able to identify tumors and metastases as small as 1 millimeter in preclinical studies.

The method was also able to reveal cancer spread to organs including the adrenal glands and kidneys without using radiation. Researchers say the imaging may do more than simply locate tumors: it could also provide clues about how aggressive a cancer is, which patients are at higher risk, and how well treatment is working over time.

The project brought together researchers from Georgia State University, Emory University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and other partners. The team is now working toward clinical testing, with the long-term goal of using the technology to improve earlier diagnosis and support more personalized cancer treatment.