Better skin cancer surgery guidance
Multimodal confocal microscopy for surgical guidance of skin resections
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · NIH-11136501
This project aims to create a faster and more accessible way to guide skin cancer surgery, especially for people in areas with limited medical resources.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (AUSTIN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11136501 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Mohs surgery is very effective for nonmelanoma skin cancer, but it can be long and expensive due to the need for immediate lab analysis during the procedure. We are working on a new approach called "optical Mohs" that uses a special microscope and computer learning to quickly identify cancer cells in freshly removed skin. This method could make Mohs surgery more available and less costly, particularly for patients in rural or underserved communities. Our goal is to develop an automated tool that provides accurate results without needing a pathologist to read every image, making the process much quicker.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is ultimately intended to benefit patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer who are candidates for Mohs surgery, especially those in areas with limited access to specialized care.
Not a fit: Patients without nonmelanoma skin cancer or those not requiring surgical removal of skin lesions would not directly benefit from this specific technology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could make highly effective skin cancer surgery more accessible, faster, and potentially less expensive for many patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that similar microscopy techniques can produce images comparable to traditional lab methods, but this project is novel in combining multiple microscopy types with machine learning for automated, highly accurate diagnosis.
Where this research is happening
AUSTIN, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN — AUSTIN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TUNNELL, JAMES W — UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- Study coordinator: TUNNELL, JAMES W
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.