Advanced endoscopic imaging to better find and stage colon cancer
SESORRS endoscopy for the staging and evaluation of colorectal cancer
A new endoscope imaging approach called SESORRS aims to help doctors find colon cancers and see how deeply they invade the bowel wall more accurately.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251299 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project builds a special endoscope that uses a light-based technique (spatially offset Raman spectroscopy) combined with enhanced contrast agents to look below the surface of colon tissue. The team will first test the device in laboratory phantoms and then use it in mouse models of colorectal cancer to see how well it detects tumors and measures invasion depth. Imaging results will be compared with MRI, PET scans, and detailed tissue pathology to check accuracy. The group will also track how the contrast agents spread and clear from the body using PET to understand safety and dosing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future clinical testing would likely enroll people with suspected or confirmed colorectal tumors or polyps who are scheduled for colonoscopy or surgical resection.
Not a fit: People without colorectal disease, those not undergoing endoscopy, or patients whose care does not involve tumor imaging would not directly benefit from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give doctors clearer information during colonoscopy or surgery to remove the right amount of tissue and reduce missed or incomplete tumor removals.
How similar studies have performed: Related techniques like surface-enhanced Raman imaging and PET-guided contrast agents have shown promise in lab and early-stage work, but combining spatially offset Raman methods with SERRS contrast agents for endoscopic colorectal staging is novel and not yet tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nicolson, Fay — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Nicolson, Fay
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 below.