Developing a new biosensor to improve cancer treatment responses
Advanced Development of Patient Ascites Therapeutic Response Biosensors
This study is working on a special tool that can look at fluid from the belly of cancer patients to learn more about how their tumors react to treatments, helping doctors find better and more personalized ways to help people with tough-to-treat cancers like gastroesophageal and ovarian cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11064333 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a biosensor that can analyze ascites, a fluid that accumulates in the abdomen of cancer patients, to better understand how tumors respond to treatments. By utilizing samples that are typically discarded, the study aims to identify the molecular characteristics of tumors in patients with difficult-to-treat cancers like gastroesophageal and ovarian cancer. The approach involves advanced technology to evaluate these samples without the need for invasive biopsies, potentially leading to more personalized and effective treatment options for patients. The goal is to enhance the prediction of how well patients will respond to specific therapies based on their unique tumor profiles.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with gastroesophageal or ovarian cancer who are experiencing ascites.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that do not involve ascites or those who are not undergoing treatment for their cancer may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments tailored to individual patients' tumor characteristics.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using biosensors for cancer treatment, but this specific approach utilizing ascites is novel.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boehm, Jesse Samuel — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Boehm, Jesse Samuel
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.