Advanced imaging to map immune cells and cancer cells in tumors
Advancing technologies for the collection and analysis of high dimensional immunoprofiles and tumor images
This project uses very detailed imaging of tumor tissue to map immune and cancer cells so researchers can better understand tumor environments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174264 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing and using a method called CyCIF that labels many proteins in a single tumor tissue sample and captures high-resolution 2D and 3D images so different cell types and states can be identified. The work analyzes human tumor specimens from Harvard/Dana-Farber and four other NCI cancer centers to map where immune cells and cancer cells sit and how they interact at very small scales. They are improving both high-resolution 3D imaging of selected fields and faster whole-slide scanning to analyze millions of cells per sample. The team shares open protocols and collaborates widely so other labs and clinicians can use the results.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors who can provide tumor tissue samples or enroll in tissue-collection/observational programs at participating cancer centers.
Not a fit: People with blood cancers, no available tumor tissue, or those needing immediate treatment changes are unlikely to see direct benefits from this technology development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal how immune cells and cancer cells interact in tumors and help guide better immunotherapy development and more personalized treatment decisions.
How similar studies have performed: High-plex imaging approaches like CyCIF have been successfully used in research to map tumor microenvironments, but bringing these tools into routine clinical decision-making remains early and developing.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Jia-Ren — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Lin, Jia-Ren
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.