Improving treatment delivery for spinal cord tumors using light-guided techniques
Official title: Enabling the therapeutic delivery for spinal cord glioma by epidural light-guided modulation of blood-spinal-cord barrier
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11108703 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new, gentle way to help people with tough-to-treat spinal cord tumors by using light to make it easier for medicines to reach the spinal cord, aiming to improve treatment and reduce risks compared to traditional methods.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $679,176 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA300689-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11108703 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with intramedullary spinal cord tumors, particularly those who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors located outside the spinal cord or those who are not candidates for invasive procedures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to tackle the challenges of treating intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSTs), which are often fatal and difficult to manage. The team is developing a new, minimally invasive method that uses light to enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents across the blood-spinal cord barrier, which typically limits treatment effectiveness. By utilizing innovative techniques, the research seeks to improve the accessibility of chemotherapy and targeted drugs to the spinal cord, potentially leading to better patient outcomes. The approach is designed to minimize risks associated with traditional treatment methods, such as surgery and radiation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment options and outcomes for patients with spinal cord gliomas.
How similar studies have gone: While focused ultrasound has shown promise in other areas, this specific approach for spinal cord gliomas is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qin, Zhenpeng — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Qin, Zhenpeng
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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.