Investigating how acidic environments in tumors affect breast cancer treatment
Official title: Deciphering the Acidic Tumor Environment: A Phase I/IIa Study of Pre-Operative Multiparametric MRI and pHLIP® ICG Intra-Operative Fluorescence Imaging of Primary Breast Cancer
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11043438 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to help doctors find and treat breast cancer more accurately during surgery by using special imaging techniques that can show how acidic the tumors are, which could lead to better outcomes for patients and fewer follow-up surgeries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $651,649 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA270018-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043438 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with breast cancer who are scheduled for lumpectomy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-breast cancer conditions or those who are not candidates for surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving breast cancer treatment by using advanced imaging techniques to assess the acidity of tumors before and during surgery. It employs pre-operative multiparametric MRI and a novel fluorescent imaging agent to identify cancerous tissues more accurately. By targeting the acidic tumor microenvironment, the study aims to enhance the precision of breast-conserving surgeries, potentially reducing the need for additional surgeries and associated complications. Patients with breast cancer will be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of these imaging methods in guiding surgical decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective breast cancer surgeries, reducing the need for repeat procedures and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using imaging techniques to improve surgical outcomes in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morrow, Monica — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Morrow, Monica
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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.