B7-H3 fluorescent probe to guide sarcoma surgery
Official title: Design and development of a B7H3-targeting fluorescent probe for fluorescence-guided surgery of sarcoma
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11436823 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new B7-H3-targeted fluorescent probe is being developed to help surgeons see and remove all cancerous tissue during sarcoma operations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $577,854 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA317217-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11436823 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with soft tissue sarcoma who are candidates for wide local excision may benefit from improved surgical guidance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients undergoing non-surgical management or those without B7-H3–expressing tumors may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a fluorescent agent that highlights cancerous tissue during surgery for soft tissue sarcoma, helping surgeons achieve complete tumor removal. It builds on prior work showing that B7-H3 is common in sarcoma and that fluorescent guidance can improve intraoperative decisions. The work includes conjugating an antibody against B7-H3 to a fluorescent dye, testing in rodent models of human sarcoma, and preparing for potential clinical use. If successful, this could translate into safer, more effective surgeries with fewer recurrences. The study is conducted at a major medical center and involves collaboration to move from animal models toward human applicability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may have more precise tumor removal and potentially lower recurrence rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous fluorescence-guided surgery approaches exist, but variability in target expression has limited success; targeting B7-H3 is a newer, promising strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mohs, Aaron M. — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mohs, Aaron M.
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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.