Improving tumor micro-environment analysis using micro-capsules
Official title: IMAT-ITCR Collaboration: Multiplexed Spatial Data Calibration and analysis using micro-capsules
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11135693 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new technology that uses tiny capsules to better understand the environment around tumors in cancer patients, which could help doctors figure out the best treatments for each person more quickly and easily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $84,716 |
| NIH project number | 3R33CA278392-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11135693 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are undergoing treatment and have tumors that can be profiled for their micro-environment characteristics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those whose tumors are not accessible for profiling may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the understanding of the tumor micro-environment (TME) in cancer patients by developing a new technology using micro-capsules. These micro-capsules will allow for rapid and sensitive profiling of TME components, overcoming limitations of current methods like single cell RNA-Sequencing, which can be expensive and time-consuming. By analyzing the TME more effectively, researchers hope to correlate its composition with patient prognosis and therapy responses, ultimately leading to better-targeted treatments. The approach focuses on creating a scalable solution that can be applied to larger patient cohorts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely cancer treatments tailored to individual patients based on their unique tumor micro-environment.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using advanced profiling techniques for cancer treatment, but this specific micro-capsule approach is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klein, Allon Moshe — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Klein, Allon Moshe
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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.