Image-based risk test for mouth (oral cavity) squamous cell cancer
Oral Cavity Quantitative Histomorphometric Risk Classifier (OHbIC) in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OC-SCC)
This project is creating a computer-driven test that uses pictures of tumor tissue to better predict which people with oral cavity squamous cell cancer may need extra treatment after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171357 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team will use scanned microscope images of removed tumor tissue and computer algorithms to measure tissue patterns and build a risk classifier called OHbIC. They will link those image features to past patient outcomes like recurrence and survival using medical records and archived tumor samples. The work includes training the algorithm on one set of patients and checking how well it works on additional patient samples. If needed, tissue or data may be shared with the study team at Emory for analysis or validation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma who have had surgical resection and whose tumor tissue and clinical records are available for analysis.
Not a fit: Patients without available tumor tissue, with cancers outside the oral cavity, or those already receiving intensified therapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this test could help doctors decide who truly needs post-operative radiation or stronger systemic therapy and who may safely avoid extra treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Related image-based and AI histomorphometry approaches have shown promise in other cancers, but applying this specific OHbIC classifier to oral cavity squamous cell cancer is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Madabhushi, Anant — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Madabhushi, Anant
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.