AI to reduce lymphedema and scarring after head and neck cancer treatment
Harvard MD Anderson Collaborative to Reduce LyMphatic MOrbidity in Head and Neck Cancer with Artificial Intelligence (HARMONiC-AI)
AI will analyze routine CT scans to find early swelling and help reduce lymphedema for people treated for head and neck cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11316984 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have the same CT scans doctors already order after head and neck cancer care, and AI software would automatically measure tissue and lymphatic changes that are easy to miss by eye. The team will train and test algorithms that segment neck tissues on CT images and use pre-treatment and follow-up scans to predict who is likely to develop lymphedema or fibrosis. Those predictions could guide radiation planning or start early therapies to prevent long-term swelling and stiffness. This is a collaboration between MD Anderson and Harvard using past scans and new patient data to build the tools.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with head and neck cancer who receive or have received radiation and have routine CT imaging available would be the main candidates.
Not a fit: People without head and neck cancer, those who never have CT imaging, or patients with long-established, irreversible fibrosis are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable earlier detection and personalized treatment changes to prevent or lessen long-term neck swelling and scarring.
How similar studies have performed: Early research has shown CT-based markers and AI segmentation can detect lymphedema signals, but these approaches are not yet widely used in clinical care.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fuller, Clifton David — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Fuller, Clifton David
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.