Improving nerve visibility during prostate surgery
Official title: Nerve-Specific Fluorophores for Improved Nerve Sparing during Prostatectomy using the Clinical Fluorescence Guided Surgery Infrastructure
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-10832516 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new dye that helps surgeons see nerves better during prostate surgery, which could help prevent problems like incontinence and impotence, making the surgery safer for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $601,985 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB032226-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10832516 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men undergoing nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for nerve-sparing surgery or those with advanced prostate cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a specialized fluorescent dye that can highlight nerve tissues during prostate surgery, specifically nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. By using a near-infrared fluorophore, surgeons can visualize nerves more clearly, potentially reducing the risk of nerve damage that can lead to complications such as incontinence and impotence. The approach utilizes existing surgical technology, integrating with the da Vinci robotic surgical system, which is widely used in prostate surgeries. The goal is to enhance intraoperative nerve visualization, addressing a significant unmet clinical need.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce nerve injuries during prostate surgery, leading to better postoperative outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with fluorescence-guided surgery using other FDA-approved fluorophores, indicating a promising avenue for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gibbs, Summer Lynne — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Gibbs, Summer Lynne
Related research
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Pelvic fascia-sparing prostate surgery
This research compares a pelvic fascia-sparing prostate removal to standard prostate surgery to try to lower long-term urinary and sexual side effects for men with localized prostate 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.