A wearable patch for quick skin cancer screening

A soft magnetoelastic microneedle patch for rapid skin cancer screening

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11011485

This study is testing a soft, wearable patch that uses tiny needles to gently check for skin cancer by measuring how stiff skin spots are, making it easier and quicker for people to get screened without any pain.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11011485 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research aims to develop a soft, wearable microneedle patch that can quickly and non-invasively screen for skin cancer by measuring the stiffness of skin lesions. The patch utilizes a novel magnetoelastic technology to scan skin lesions up to 5 mm deep, providing rapid results with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. The approach involves designing and optimizing the patch, validating its effectiveness in animal models, and testing it on human skin samples. This innovative method could significantly enhance early detection of skin cancer, which is crucial for successful treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with suspicious skin lesions or those at high risk for skin cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with no skin lesions or those who have already been diagnosed and treated for skin cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more accurate skin cancer screenings, improving early diagnosis and treatment outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using similar non-invasive technologies for cancer detection, indicating potential success for this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.