Affordable, handheld imaging for oral lesions in LMICs
Official title: Reflectance confocal microscopy-optical coherence tomography (RCM-OCT) imaging of oral lesions: Toward an affordable device and approach for developing countries
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11535340 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A low-cost, handheld imaging device using RCM and OCT will help diagnose oral lesions in adults in Africa and Asia, reducing unnecessary biopsies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $58,456 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA275789-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535340 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) in Africa and Asia who have or are at risk of oral lesions and may undergo biopsy or monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in settings with adequate access to conventional imaging and biopsy may not see additional benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to combine reflectance confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography into a single, affordable handheld device to image oral lesions in LMICs. The goal is to improve diagnostic accuracy for dysplasia and early cancer by capturing cellular details and tissue architecture in real time. The approach includes developing a scoring algorithm to triage lesions and guide treatment, with emphasis on feasibility in settings with limited resources.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could reduce unnecessary biopsies, speed up accurate diagnoses, and enable timely treatment for oral cancers in resource-limited regions.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary evidence supports the value of noninvasive imaging for oral lesions, but integration into low-resource settings is still developing.
Where this research is happening
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Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rajadhyaksha, Milind — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Rajadhyaksha, Milind
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.