A wearable patch for quick skin cancer screening
Official title: A soft magnetoelastic microneedle patch for rapid skin cancer screening
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11011485 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $351,039 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA287326-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011485 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with suspicious skin lesions or those at high risk for skin cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no skin lesions or those who have already been diagnosed and treated for skin cancer may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Jun — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Chen, 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.