CQCI Clinical Research Imaging - Information for Investigators

The Center for Quantitative Cancer Imaging (CQCI) at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) includes the cyclotron/radiochemistry facility, research PET/CT imaging infrastructure, oncology preclinical imaging infrastructure, and the tumor response assessment infrastructure. Certain aspects of this infrastructure are modest in size when compared to many major research universities. Due to the size of the infrastructure and its ability to support all university research interested in using research PET imaging techniques, it is critical that the CQCI co-directors, John M. Hoffman, MD, and Jeff Yap, PhD, review all proposed projects utilizing research PET radiopharmaceuticals and the research PET scanners to assure that the CQCI can support the project. Dr. Hoffman reviews studies involving human subjects and investigational radiopharmaceuticals. Dr. Yap reviews studies involving small animal imaging and tumor response assessments. The co-directors perform the initial review of the proposed research and then discuss the proposal with members of the center to assess necessary resources.

Investigators must discuss with Dr. Hoffman or Dr. Yap all proposed grant or contract projects that propose the use of CQCI (PET/CT imaging, including scanner utilization or radiopharmaceutical production). The investigator should prepare to discuss hypotheses, aims, feasibility, and intensity of resource utilization. After this initial discussion, the investigator will be asked to provide a preliminary proposal and anticipated use of the program resources, including the number of scans and required radiopharmaceuticals. After the initial meeting with Dr. Hoffman or Dr. Yap, the PI will be provided with costs for scanning and radiopharmaceutical production. Rates are based on calculations of time, effort, and other resources required for performing the study.

In many instances, the study may require additional resources. The investigator must discuss this first with Dr. Hoffman or Dr. Yap. A preliminary budget can then be prepared and submitted with the brief proposal. The project will then be reviewed and revised as required and be presented to the CQCI staff. Once this is done, the PI will be notified of any potential issues and ability to support the proposal. If there is an affirmative result, then the PI should prepare the grant/contract and final budget.

The final budget for the grant or contract should be prepared and provided for final approval prior to submission to the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP). Dr. Hoffman or Dr. Yap must approve the budget prior to submission to OSP. If this process is not followed, there is no guarantee the CQCI can support the proposed research.

The OSP will not submit a grant with PET/CT imaging if there is not approval by Dr. Hoffman or Dr. Yap. This is to assure that the resources will be available to support the proposed project. This includes research projects as well as studies that utilize research FDG-PET/CT imaging as a Patient Care Charge.