Image-guided ethanol ablation for treating cervical dysplasia
Official title: Image-guided ethyl cellulose ethanol ablation to enable treatment of cervical dysplasia
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11384173 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-led study is exploring a low-cost, image-guided treatment using ethanol to target cervical dysplasia in women, aiming to make care more accessible in underserved communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $599,308 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA302885-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384173 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women diagnosed with cervical dysplasia who have limited access to traditional treatment and could benefit from a low-cost, image-guided intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Women with very early lesions that may be managed by surveillance or those whose anatomy or comorbidities make ethanol ablation unsuitable may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a new, affordable treatment approach for cervical dysplasia that can be used at the point of care. It builds on the Pocket colposcope to guide ethanol-based ablation of abnormal cervical tissue. The research combines imaging guidance with a simple ablation technique to reach deeper lesions without relying on expensive equipment. The goal is to reduce cervical cancer risk where access to care is limited, while ensuring safety and effectiveness for patients. If successful, the approach could expand treatment options for women in underserved areas.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this method could provide a low-cost, accessible option to treat precancerous cervical lesions and reduce cervical cancer risk in underserved populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on accessible, image-guided diagnostics and thermocoagulation has shown promise, and this project combines established concepts with a novel ethanol ablation approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mueller, Jenna Lynne Hook — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Mueller, Jenna Lynne Hook
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Topical ethanol gel for precise treatment of low-grade cervical dysplasia
A new topical gel using ethanol is being tested to treat low-grade cervical dysplasia in women, especially where access to regular care is limited.
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Understanding how HPV and HIV affect cervical cancer in women
This study is looking at how certain types of HPV and HIV work together to affect the risk of cervical cancer in women, especially in countries with fewer resources, and aims to find helpful signs in blood and cervical samples that could improve how we screen for and prevent this cancer.
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Investigating how bacteria and antibodies interact during HPV infection and cervical dysplasia
This study is looking at how certain bacteria in the vagina might affect the immune system and the risk of cervical issues in women with high-risk HPV infections, helping us understand how these factors could influence HPV clearance and the chances of developing cervical cancer.
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.