Imaging immune cells (macrophages) in osteosarcoma
Co-Clinical Research Resource for Imaging Tumor Associated Macrophages
This project develops scans that show immune cells called tumor-associated macrophages inside bone tumors to help guide immunotherapy decisions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136377 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to create better medical scans you or your doctor could use to see immune cells called tumor-associated macrophages inside osteosarcoma tumors. The team develops and tests quantitative imaging tools in lab models and in patients, and plans to share validated methods through web-accessible resources. They link animal work showing CD47 blockade can turn macrophages against tumor cells with early-phase human imaging and a multi-center phase I trial. The goal is to show immune activity that may not cause immediate tumor shrinkage so treatments can be guided sooner.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with osteosarcoma who are willing to take part in imaging visits and may be enrolled in related early-phase immunotherapy trials at participating centers.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers other than osteosarcoma or those who cannot travel to participating trial centers are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these imaging tools could help doctors tell sooner when immunotherapy is activating immune cells in osteosarcoma, even before tumors shrink.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse studies showed CD47 blockade can activate macrophages to clear osteosarcoma, and quantitative imaging has helped guide therapy in other cancers, but imaging tumor-associated macrophages in patients is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daldrup-Link, Heike Elizabeth — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Daldrup-Link, Heike Elizabeth
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.