Developing a new tool to measure tumor metabolism and blood flow in real-time
Official title: Point-of-care optical spectroscopy platform and novel ratio-metric algorithms for rapid and systematic functional characterization of biological models in vivo
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-10883572 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new tool that uses light to quickly check how tumors in the head and neck are working and getting blood, which could help doctors make better treatment choices for patients with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $404,576 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE031998-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10883572 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell cancer who are undergoing treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those not diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a point-of-care optical spectroscopy platform that can assess tumor metabolism and blood flow in real-time. By using a specialized fiber probe and advanced data processing techniques, the researchers aim to measure key metabolic indicators and vascular characteristics in biological models. This innovative approach will be validated against existing methods and integrated with advanced metabolomics techniques to enhance understanding of tumor behavior, particularly in head and neck squamous cell cancer. The goal is to provide a comprehensive tool that can aid in cancer treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer treatment strategies by providing real-time insights into tumor metabolism and blood flow.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in metabolic assessment techniques, this specific approach combining optical spectroscopy with real-time analysis in vivo is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Caigang — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Caigang
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.