Improving Imaging and Treatment for Ovarian Cancer
Multimodal Imaging and Therapy of Ovarian Cancer
This project is developing a special agent to help doctors find and treat ovarian cancer more effectively, especially when it has spread within the abdomen.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144967 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Ovarian cancer often spreads within the abdomen, making it challenging to detect all tumor nodules and remove them completely during surgery. Current imaging methods and surgical techniques sometimes miss small tumors or those in difficult-to-reach areas. This project is creating a 'theranostic' agent, which means it can both help doctors see the cancer and treat it. This agent uses advanced technology to improve MRI scans before surgery, highlight tumors with near-infrared light during surgery, and potentially destroy remaining cancer cells in hard-to-reach spots.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with ovarian cancer, particularly those with metastatic disease within the abdomen, could potentially benefit from future applications of this research.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those whose ovarian cancer has not spread to the abdomen may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new agent could lead to more complete removal of ovarian cancer during surgery and offer a new way to treat tumors that cannot be surgically removed.
How similar studies have performed: The project builds upon existing FDA-approved components like gadolinium and indocyanine green, combining them in a novel dual-mode nanoparticle for ovarian cancer theranostics.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kundra, Vikas — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Kundra, Vikas
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.