A new treatment for inoperable liver tumors using electrical pulses
Official title: Development of an INSPIRE System for the Treatment of Inoperable Liver Tumors
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11065540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, gentle treatment for people with liver tumors that can't be surgically removed, using tiny electrical pulses to target and destroy the tumor while protecting healthy tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | April 14, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $564,136 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276232-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11065540 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with inoperable liver tumors who are seeking alternative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with operable liver tumors or those who do not have liver tumors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a minimally invasive treatment called Integrated time nanosecond pulse irreversible electroporation (INSPIRE) for patients with inoperable liver tumors. The treatment involves inserting electrodes into the tumor and delivering ultrashort electrical pulses that disrupt the tumor cells, leading to cell death. The approach is designed to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues by using active temperature control during the procedure. The research aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this innovative treatment through various experimental models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients with inoperable liver tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using electrical pulse therapies for tumor treatment, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sano, Michael Benjamin — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Sano, Michael Benjamin
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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.