Improving Prostate Biopsies with Robotic Help
Robot-Assisted Personalized Prostate Biopsy
['FUNDING_R01'] · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11067872
This project is developing a new robotic system to make prostate biopsies more accurate and tailored to each patient, helping to better find and understand prostate cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11067872 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Currently, prostate biopsies often miss important cancer areas because the standard method is inconsistent and doesn't always sample the prostate evenly. While newer MRI-guided biopsies are an improvement, they are still often combined with a 'one-size-fits-all' systematic biopsy that doesn't account for individual differences. This project is developing a new robotic system that creates a personalized biopsy plan for each patient, based on their unique prostate shape. This personalized approach aims to make biopsies much more accurate, ensuring that significant cancers are less likely to be missed and providing a clearer picture of the cancer's aggressiveness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be men needing a prostate biopsy for suspected prostate cancer.
Not a fit: Patients who do not require a prostate biopsy would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new biopsy method could lead to more accurate prostate cancer diagnoses, helping patients receive the right treatment sooner.
How similar studies have performed: While the research team has conducted initial feasibility tests on the robotic device, the personalized biopsy planning approach is a novel advancement.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: STOIANOVICI, DAN — JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: STOIANOVICI, DAN
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.
Conditions: Cancer Cause