Fluorescence lifetime imaging to measure PD-L1 target engagement in tumors
Official title: Fluorescence lifetime imaging for quantitative assessment of in vivo PD-L1 target engagement.
Funded at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · NIH-11435871 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new imaging method uses fluorescent tagging to see if PD-L1-targeting cancer therapies actually reach and bind their target inside head and neck tumors in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 8, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $437,113 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA317034-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435871 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are candidates for PD-L1–targeted antibody therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving PD-L1–targeted therapy or without measurable tumor PD-L1 expression may not benefit from this imaging approach.
What this research studies
This project aims to visualize and quantify how much PD-L1 drug reaches and binds within tumor tissue using fluorescence lifetime imaging of a labeled antibody. It translates a lab-based imaging approach to a clinical context, focusing on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and the tumor microenvironment. The goal is to provide a biomarker that reflects real target engagement and downstream immune activity, which could help tailor treatment decisions and improve outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more precise treatment decisions based on whether their tumor actually drug-target engagement occurs, potentially improving responses and reducing unnecessary exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that imaging biomarkers can reflect drug engagement, but this specific fluorescence lifetime approach for in vivo PD-L1 target engagement is novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pal, Rahul — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Pal, Rahul
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.