A portable device to detect low white blood cell counts in cancer patients
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-11125802 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,802,488 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA228920-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11125802 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This device is intended for cancer patients who are currently receiving chemotherapy and are at risk of developing low white blood cell counts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing chemotherapy or those without a risk of neutropenia would not directly benefit from this specific device.
What this research studies
Many cancer patients receiving chemotherapy experience a serious side effect called neutropenia, where their white blood cell count drops, making them vulnerable to severe infections. PointCheck is a non-invasive device designed to detect this condition early by looking at tiny blood vessels in your fingernail. The goal is for you to use this device at home to continuously monitor your blood counts between chemotherapy sessions. Early detection could help prevent serious infections and hospital stays.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this device could significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening infections and hospitalizations for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous phases of this project have successfully validated a prototype of the PointCheck device in a proof-of-concept study with chemotherapy patients.
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
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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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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.
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A device to monitor cancer patients for low white blood cell counts at home
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.
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.