Developing a new method to test cancer drugs directly in tumors using small devices
Official title: Interventional method development for multiplexed personalized drug evaluation using implantable microdevices
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10893593 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, safer way to place tiny devices directly into tumors to quickly see how well different cancer drugs work, and it's aimed at helping patients in future clinical trials.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 25, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $76,860 |
| NIH project number | 5R03CA270772-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893593 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients with solid tumors who may benefit from personalized drug evaluations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-solid tumors or those who are not candidates for drug evaluation may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a minimally invasive technique to place small implantable devices directly into tumors, allowing for rapid evaluation of how well multiple cancer drugs work in real-time. By using custom needle biopsy devices and imaging guidance, the procedure aims to reduce the risks associated with traditional surgical methods, making it safer for patients. The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of this approach in a preclinical animal model before it can be tested in humans. This innovative method could significantly enhance patient participation in clinical trials for cancer treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective ways to evaluate cancer treatments, ultimately improving outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, similar methods using implantable devices for drug evaluation have shown promise in preliminary studies, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhagavatula, Sharath — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bhagavatula, Sharath
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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.