A robot that uses laser therapy to treat brain tumors.
Official title: Steerable Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy (SLIT) Robot for Brain Tumor Therapy
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-10908992 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new robot that helps doctors use heat to treat glioblastoma, a tough brain tumor, by delivering laser treatment more accurately to the tumor while protecting healthy tissue, with the hope of improving treatment results and helping patients live longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $164,155 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EB033896-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908992 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with glioblastoma, particularly those with recurrent tumors who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-brain tumors or those who are not diagnosed with glioblastoma may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel robot designed to enhance laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) for treating glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor. The robot aims to deliver thermal radiation precisely at multiple locations within the tumor, improving the effectiveness of the treatment while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. By utilizing a steerable laser probe, the approach seeks to achieve better tumor coverage and potentially extend patient survival. The research involves advanced engineering and testing to ensure the device can operate safely and effectively in clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for patients with glioblastoma, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While laser interstitial thermotherapy is an emerging technique, this specific robotic approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sheng, Jun — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Sheng, Jun
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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.