A device to monitor cancer patients for low white blood cell counts at home
Official title: Reducing the incidence of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy with PointCheck: a portable non-invasive neutropenia analyzer
Funded at Leuko Labs, INC. · NIH-10911683 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use device called PointCheck that helps cancer patients on chemotherapy check their white blood cell counts at home, so they can catch any serious drops in their levels early and stay safe from infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Leuko Labs, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,702,979 |
| NIH project number | 2R44CA228920-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911683 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients receiving chemotherapy who are at risk of developing neutropenia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing chemotherapy or those with stable blood counts may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing PointCheck, a portable, non-invasive device that allows cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to monitor their white blood cell counts from home. By using optical imaging technology, PointCheck can detect severe neutropenia, a condition that increases the risk of serious infections, without the need for blood samples. This enables early intervention and helps prevent complications associated with chemotherapy. The device is designed to be user-friendly, allowing patients to self-administer the monitoring process between treatment sessions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of infections and hospitalizations in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using non-invasive monitoring technologies for health conditions, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Leuko Labs, INC.
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castro-Gonzalez, Carlos — Leuko Labs, INC.
- Study coordinator: Castro-Gonzalez, Carlos
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Stimulant that grows donor stem cells in the body to speed neutropenia recovery after chemotherapy and stem cell transplant
A drug given during or right before stem cell transplant helps donor stem cells multiply quickly inside the patient to shorten neutropenia after treatment.
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Stimulant to grow stem cells in the body to speed recovery after chemotherapy and stem cell transplant
A new drug given briefly before transplant aims to help patients recover their blood and immune system faster after chemotherapy or stem cell transplant.
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PointCheck: a home-based, non-invasive neutropenia monitor for chemotherapy patients
A portable, non-invasive device helps cancer patients on chemotherapy monitor neutropenia from home so doctors can prevent serious infections.
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Drug to boost stem cell growth and shorten low-white-blood-cell time after transplant
A brief drug treatment given to donor stem cells aims to help them grow faster inside the body so people recovering from chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant make white blood cells sooner.
-
A portable device to detect low white blood cell counts in cancer patients
This project is developing a new portable device called PointCheck to help cancer patients on chemotherapy monitor their white blood cell counts from home and prevent serious infections.
-
Developing a drug to enhance stem cell growth for faster recovery after chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant
This study is testing a new drug that helps boost the growth of stem cells in patients getting a stem cell transplant, with the goal of speeding up recovery and reducing the risk of infections after the procedure.
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.