Easier-to-find ultrasound markers for breast cancer lymph nodes
Development of an ultrasound detectable, migration-resistant biopsy marker for improving care in patients with breast cancer
This project tests a new tiny biopsy marker meant to stay in place and show up clearly on ultrasound for people with breast cancer who need lymph node marking before chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11241101 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have breast cancer and a lymph node that tested positive, doctors often place a tiny marker in that node before you have chemotherapy. This project aims to make new markers that are easier to see on ultrasound and less likely to move by changing their surface shape and testing different designs. Researchers will study these markers in lab tests and animal models, compare them to current markers, and refine the best designs for safety and visibility. The goal is to reduce missed localizations, shorten procedures, and help surgeons remove the correct lymph nodes after treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer who have a biopsy-confirmed positive axillary lymph node and are scheduled for neoadjuvant systemic therapy would be the ideal candidates to benefit or participate.
Not a fit: Patients without lymph node involvement, those not receiving pre-surgery systemic therapy, or those treated at centers that don't use ultrasound for localization may not see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these markers could cut down on missed or delayed localizations, reduce surgical complications, and make follow-up care more reliable.
How similar studies have performed: Other ultrasound-visible marker designs exist but about a quarter are still hard to find or can migrate, so this approach is relatively novel in focusing on surface features to resist movement.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Urban, Matthew William — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Urban, Matthew William
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.