3D skin imaging for Kaposi sarcoma
Official title: PRecision IMaging to Evaluate Kaposi Sarcoma (PRIME-KS)
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11163458 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will use a portable 3D camera with AI to measure Kaposi sarcoma skin lesions more precisely for patients in East Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $321,333 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA292765-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11163458 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with visible cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma lesions who receive care at participating clinics in East Africa and are willing to have lesion images taken are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with only internal (visceral) Kaposi sarcoma, those unable to reach participating clinics, or those not receiving skin-directed monitoring may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
You would have your Kaposi sarcoma skin lesions photographed with a handheld device called SkinScan3D that creates high-resolution 3D images showing lesion height and volume. Nurses and clinicians will help refine how the device is used during routine visits so it fits into busy clinics. The images and AI-generated measurements will be used to track response to treatment and reduce reliance on slow, manual measurements. The team plans to test the device at partner clinics in countries like Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, and Kenya and improve the system based on real-world use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give more accurate, objective measurements of lesion size so treatments can be timed better and unnecessary chemotherapy exposure reduced.
How similar studies have gone: 3D imaging and AI have shown promise for measuring other skin conditions, but using the portable SkinScan3D specifically for Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa is a new application.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Odeny, Thomas — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Odeny, Thomas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Precision 3D Imaging to Monitor Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) with SkinScan3D
A new portable 3D imaging tool called SkinScan3D will help doctors measure KS skin lesions more accurately and quickly, especially in people living with HIV.
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Precision 3D Imaging to Track Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) with SkinScan3D
A new 3D imaging tool called SkinScan3D helps doctors monitor Kaposi sarcoma lesions more accurately and quickly, especially in settings with high KS burden like East Africa and in U.S. clinics with HIV patients.
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Kaposi Sarcoma care and research in Africa during ART era
A collaborative program to better understand and improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Kaposi sarcoma for people living with HIV in Zambia and Tanzania.
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Kaposi Sarcoma in Africa: ART Era Research Network
A collaborative program in Africa and the United States will study Kaposi sarcoma in people living with HIV on ART to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
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Kaposi Sarcoma in Africa in the ART Era
This grant supports research to improve how Kaposi sarcoma is detected, treated, and understood in people living with HIV in Zambia and Tanzania during ART, with collaboration between African hospitals and a U.S. center.
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Faster detection and connection to care for people with HIV who develop Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa
This project aims to speed up finding people with HIV diagnosed with Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa and help them get linked to care more quickly.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.