Advanced imaging support for lung cancer surgery
Imaging Core
This project builds and uses near-infrared fluorescence imaging tools to help surgeons find lung tumors and cancerous lymph nodes during operations and procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132715 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team has created a shared imaging facility that brings together hospital and veterinary imaging labs and surgical experts to use near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence during lung surgery. They develop back-table and intraoperative imaging protocols to photograph tumors in place and in removed specimens and then match those images to pathology slides. The Core supports both animal studies (mice and dogs) and human imaging so targeted imaging agents can be moved into the operating room. They also refine tissue processing so images from surgery and pathology can be accurately compared to find tumor margins and tiny cancer deposits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people undergoing pulmonary tumor resection, bronchoscopic tumor procedures, or lymph node sampling for suspected or confirmed lung cancer at the participating center.
Not a fit: People with cancers outside the lung, those not having surgery or bronchoscopic procedures, or those treated far from the participating center are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, surgeons could more precisely locate tumor edges and hidden spread, which may reduce repeat surgeries and improve outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Fluorescence-guided surgery has shown promise in other cancers and with general dyes, but using new targeted NIR agents specifically for lung cancer is still being developed.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Delikatny, Edward J — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Delikatny, Edward J
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.