Intraoperative fluorescence lifetime imaging to guide oral cancer surgery
Official title: Intraoperative fluorescence lifetime navigation system with deformation compensation and MRI/CT co-registration for precision imaging of oral cancer
Funded at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · NIH-11448170 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A surgeon-friendly imaging system uses fluorescence lifetime signals and real-time MRI/CT alignment to help remove only cancerous tissue during oral cancer operations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $701,969 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE035199-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448170 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing oral cancer surgery who would benefit from more precise tumor delineation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancer conditions or tumors not amenable to fluorescence-based delineation may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to improve oral cancer surgery by providing real-time, highly specific imaging that accounts for tissue deformation and surgical movement. By combining fluorescence lifetime imaging with MRI/CT co-registration and deformation compensation, doctors can better distinguish tumor from healthy tissue during operation. The approach builds on prior work showing limits of ultrasound and conventional imaging, and focuses on delivering accurate, immediate feedback at the bedside. Results from preclinical and early clinical studies will guide refinements to make this technology practical in operating rooms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could help surgeons remove cancer more precisely while preserving speech and swallowing functions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests fluorescence imaging can aid tumor visualization, but challenges with specificity and motion/deformation remain; this study seeks to overcome those barriers.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumar, Anand T.n. — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Kumar, Anand T.n.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mobile platform using AI to screen for oral cancer in low-resource communities
A low-cost, AI-powered mobile tool helps frontline healthcare workers screen for oral cancer and triage patients in communities with limited access to specialists.
-
Endosomal signaling and cancer pain control in oral cancer
A study to understand how signals inside nerve cells and supportive cells contribute to pain in people with oral cancer.
-
Affordable AI-enabled point-of-care tool for quick oral cancer checks
A low-cost AI-powered imaging module helps clinicians screen for oral cancer at the point of care, especially in community and resource-limited settings.
-
How tissue stiffness affects oral cancer spread
A researcher at UC San Diego is studying how the stiffness of mouth tissue influences the behavior of oral cancer cells in people.
-
Point-of-Care AI Image Tool for Early Oral Cancer Detection
A new, affordable AI-powered tool helps frontline clinicians screen for oral cancer early by using a low-cost imaging module at the point of care.
-
Low-cost, at-your-hands test to detect oral cancer early in low-resource settings
A small, inexpensive test using a cheek or mouth rinse could help people in low-resource areas find oral cancer early.
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.