Better copper-based imaging and treatment for cancer and heart disease
Enabling Molecular Approaches for Copper-Based Radiopharmaceuticals
This project is making more stable copper-based radioactive agents to help doctors image and treat people with cancers like breast cancer and some heart conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262906 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is designing improved chemical carriers (chelators) that hold radioactive copper more tightly so the tracer stays where it should in the body. They will test these new molecules in the lab and in living models to see how long they last, how well they target tissues, and whether they reduce unwanted radiation to healthy organs. Results will guide which compounds could move toward clinical testing for imaging and therapeutic uses. The aim is to create copper radiopharmaceuticals with clearer images and safer treatment profiles.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers (for example, breast cancer) or certain cardiac conditions who may need advanced imaging or radioisotope-based therapies would be the eventual candidates for related clinical trials.
Not a fit: Patients without cancer or heart disease, or those who cannot undergo radioactive imaging or therapy (for example, pregnant people), would be unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to clearer diagnostic scans and safer, more effective copper-based radioactive treatments with less off-target radiation.
How similar studies have performed: Copper radiopharmaceuticals have shown promise in clinical work—an FDA-approved 64Cu agent exists—yet improving in-body stability is a current challenge this project aims to address.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Brown University — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Robinson, Jerome Ronald — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Robinson, Jerome Ronald
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.