3D skin imaging for Kaposi sarcoma care
Official title: PRecision IMaging to Evaluate Kaposi Sarcoma (PRIME-KS)
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11400582 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will use a portable 3D imaging device with AI to measure Kaposi sarcoma skin lesions more accurately for people receiving treatment 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) | $78,512 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA292765-02S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400582 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are people with visible Kaposi sarcoma skin lesions who receive care at participating clinics in Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, or Kenya.
✕Less likely to help
People who have only internal (visceral) Kaposi sarcoma, no visible skin lesions, or who cannot attend participating clinics are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this imaging approach.
What this research studies
You would have your skin lesions photographed with a small, handheld SkinScan3D device that creates high-resolution 3D pictures showing lesion height and volume. The images are processed by AI to give objective, repeatable measurements instead of relying only on visual estimates. Clinicians, nurses, and patients will help refine how the device is used in routine clinic visits so it fits busy care settings. The goal is to integrate the device into local workflows at participating clinics in East Africa.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide faster, more objective measurements of KS lesions to guide treatment decisions and reduce unnecessary chemotherapy exposure.
How similar studies have gone: AI and 3D imaging approaches have shown promise in dermatology for lesion measurement, but using a portable liquid-lens 3D system specifically for Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa is novel and not yet tested at scale.
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.